When will the Board of Education go back to traditional in-person meetings?
That question was asked by Board Vice President Ned Kopald at the board’s meeting last week. The answer, from Board President Anne Lawless, is when the state tells them to.
“When we get clearance from the state that we can start having meetings in public,” Lawless answered, noting that district officials, including Superintendent Dr. Frank Sheboy “are very close to a potential safe environment where we not only can have the board and administrators at the meeting, but will also be able to have a few members of the public join us. We’re very close to it.”
Kopald noted that the school district has hosted large gatherings recently, including sports.
“It seems to me that the time has come where we should be meeting where the public can participate with the board,” Kopald said.
Lawless said the state’s executive order allowing boards to meet in person has been extended through June 16. She also noted that the “rules and regulations for outdoor events are very different”.
Lawless also noted that masking and physical distancing requirements have not been removed for schools, and added that explains why budget voting was held in the HFIS gym last week, requiring people to walk a distance further than they are used to to vote.
“They’re working on it and I’m sure we’ll talk more about it at the next public meeting.” Lawless said.
Both the Town and Village Boards met in person throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, but with limited attendance by the public due to social distancing requirements. While masks are still required at Village Hall, as of this week, it is no longer required to wear a mask at Town Hall, for those who are vaccinated.
