Full Breakdown
Staten Island Students Face Record Absenteeism After Blizzard
2/28/2026, 10:27:12 PM
Impact of the Blizzard on School Attendance
Following a significant blizzard that impacted New York City, Staten Island experienced an unprecedented school absenteeism rate of approximately 70%. The storm, which dumped nearly 30 inches of snow in some neighborhoods, resulted in a staggering 69.8% absentee rate among students, more than double the citywide average of 36.8%, according to data from the New York City Department of Education. Critics attribute this high absenteeism to Mayor Zohran Mamdani's decision to keep schools open rather than switch to remote learning, despite the borough's unique challenges, including a single rail line that was out of service and difficult road conditions.
Criticism of Mayor Mamdani's Decision
Councilman Frank Morano (R-Staten Island) and Borough President Vito Fossella have been vocal in their criticism of Mamdani's handling of the situation. Morano described the decision to reopen schools as one of the "worst decisions in history," likening it to historical blunders. He emphasized that the mayor's approach failed to consider the specific needs of Staten Island, which is heavily reliant on cars for transportation. Fossella echoed these sentiments, stating that the city "dropped the ball at the highest levels" by not prioritizing safety for teachers and parents who had to navigate icy roads.
Legislative Response and Calls for Autonomy
In response to the chaos caused by the blizzard, Morano is drafting legislation aimed at granting boroughs greater autonomy over local decisions, particularly in emergency situations. He believes that if Staten Island had more control over its policies, it could prevent similar disasters in the future. Morano's proposed changes will be presented to a City Charter Revision Commission later this year, as he argues that Staten Island should not be subject to the same rules as Manhattan and the Bronx.
Official Statements & Responses
Mayor Mamdani defended his decision, stating that the city had to balance the needs of all boroughs. However, he acknowledged that about 12,000 of the city's 78,300 teachers, or 15%, were absent that day, necessitating the recruitment of 5,000 substitutes. The Department of Education did not provide specific attendance figures for teachers or a breakdown of student attendance by school districts.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the Department of Education reported a citywide absentee rate of 36.8%, the figures for Staten Island were notably higher, raising questions about the effectiveness of the city's response to the blizzard. Critics argue that the decision to keep schools open was made without adequately assessing the local conditions, leading to significant disruption in education for Staten Island students.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is going to go down, along with new Coke and the decision to put hydrogen in the Hindenburg instead of helium, as one of the worst decisions in history,” — Councilman Frank Morano (R-Staten Island)
- “We don’t have the luxury of jumping on the subway,” — Borough President Vito Fossella
- “There’s no reason Staten Island should have to live by the same rules as Manhattan and The Bronx,” — Councilman Frank Morano (R-Staten Island)
