Members of the Falconer Central School Board and administration are pictured during a meeting this week. The board discussed masking issues. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller

FALCONER — Wearing face masks in school and on school buses is mandatory in New York state — but that doesn’t mean it is easy.

The Falconer Central School Board at a meeting Tuesday discussed a concern regarding masking on athletic bus runs. Board president Todd Beckerink asked Scott Peterson, district transportation supervisor, whether he had heard about concerns that students were not wearing their masks while being transported for various athletic events. Peterson said the concern had been heard and was addressed by the high school principal, Jeffrey Jordan, and the athletics director, David Nelson.

Superintendent Stephen Penhollow also addressed the board on the matter, adding that the message has been communicated to students that if they continue to stay “healthy and safe,” they can continue participating in athletics.

“Although masking isn’t real popular, it’s still a part of the regulation right now and we need to follow that,” he said. “I know Mr. Nelson and Mr. Jordan have met with the coaches multiple times and they’ve talked to the players. We’re doing the best we can to keep them masked, keep them safe, and keep them participating.”

Penhollow said he understands where the students are coming from because they are wearing masks all day in school with mask breaks when possible.

“Then you get on sports runs, and sometimes (the masks) come down – sometimes they want to take a mask break,” he said. “It’s just difficult if you start with a mask at 7 a.m. in the morning and you wear that mask all day long in school with some mask breaks involved, but really lunch is about the only time that you are mask-free. So I understand what the kids are going through, and I understand how problematic it is. But the reality is we have to wear them, at least until the New York State Department of Health releases that mandate or changes that.”

Penhollow said he believes most of the unmasked incidents are not intentional, and those that are intentional are being addressed. He added that a majority of students are “doing a great job doing their best to make sure that they follow the rules.”

“We’re extremely fortunate that way that our kids are so well behaved and follow the guidelines, just like everyone else, regardless of whether they like it or not.”

Peterson added that the students at Temple Elementary School adhere very well to the mask mandates.

“With the Temple students, you really don’t have to tell them — they like it,” he said. “They understand the benefit of it.”

Penhollow pointed out as the weather gets colder, it will be easier to wear the masks in cooler weather.

“When it’s 65 or 70 degrees, it makes it more cumbersome when you’re on a bus,” he said.

Board member Robert Carpenter said it is important for students to wear masks on the bus as it is one of the closest contact areas for students, especially since the bus routes can include students from different schools or classes.

“At the end of the day, it turns out to be the most important place to keep a mask in place,” Carpenter said.