Herkimer BOCES logo in two shades of blue and the slogan creating opportunities for growth

Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES and all 10 component school districts decided on Tuesday, June 8, to no longer require that masks be worn outside at school.

This decision comes following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s announcement on Monday, June 7, that the state will still require mask-wearing inside at school and on school buses but will allow school districts to decide whether mask-wearing is required outside or not.

Herkimer BOCES District Superintendent Sandra Sherwood and the 10 Herkimer BOCES component school superintendents agreed to no longer require mask-wearing outside at school or at outdoor school events including sporting events. The change takes effect immediately.

The component school districts are Central Valley, Dolgeville, Frankfort-Schuyler, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mount Markham, Owen D. Young, Poland, Richfield Springs and West Canada Valley. The rules around social distancing, health attestations, limits to gatherings and quarantines are all still in place for schools.