Washingtonville. Nearly 3,400 people sign Schmitt’s petition demanding fully open schools

Assemblyman Colin Schmitt mailed out nearly 3,400 petition signatures from New Yorker’s demanding schools be reopening fully for 5 days a week in-person learning

Washingtonville, NY —

Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt has sent nearly 3,400 petition signatures from New Yorkers demanding the Governor and State Commissioners of Health and Education modify state guidance to allow for the immediate resumption of five days a week in-person education for New York students.

The petition signatures were collected over the last week and a half following Schmitt’s letter to the commissioners seeking updated guidance and his questioning of the Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard A. Zucker during the legislative budget hearing.

As part of the assemblyman’s push for reopening schools, Schmitt is urging Zucker to update state guidance regarding the six feet rules for distancing in the classroom and school bus seating spacing. These guidelines make it nearly impossible for many districts to fully reopen.

As CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has said: “What we are finding from the science-based literature is that there is more spread that is happening in the community when schools are not open than when schools are open,” students and parents deserve the opportunity to resume in-person learning immediately.

“These thousands of petition signatures are from families across the Hudson Valley and across that state who join with me in wanting our students to return to 5 days of week in-person education now,” Schmitt said. “The state must update school COVID-19 guidance with the newly issued CDC guidelines and scientific data so that schools can reopen fully and safely.”