BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

CANTON -- Some students enrolled at Canton Central may have to be homeschooled next year if they do not receive vaccinations before school starts in September.

Canton Central Superintendent Ronald P. Burke said his district had 21 students with religious exemption to vaccinations last year.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation last month removing non-medical exemptions from school vaccination requirements for children.

The school sent letters to the affected families after the law took effect, he said.

Burke said he has not have conversations with any of the families yet, but he plans to.

“In the coming weeks, we will reach out to the families to determine their intentions,” Burke said. “It is possible that some will choose to home school their children rather than vaccinate.”

“The Department encourages parents and guardians of all children who do not have their required immunizations to receive the first dose in each immunization series as soon as possible,” a State Education Department memo to the school said. “The deadline for obtaining first dose vaccinations in each immunization series for children attending school in the fall is 14 days from the first day of school or enrollment in child day care. Within 30 days of the first day of school, parents and guardians of such children must show that they have scheduled appointments for all required follow-up doses.”

The new law does not affect valid medical exemptions, according to the Department of Health. Students attending college in New York can still obtain a religious exemption.