Another academic year is now underway. This is the fourth year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year's seniors were first-year high school students when the pandemic hit.

As worries about the virus begin to recede, educators are hoping now is the time for schools to confront the legacies of the pandemic.

They're facing strains on mental health, a large numbers of students who are behind academically, threats to school safety, and heightened political tensions around how and what they teach.

News 12's Elizabeth Hashagen was joined by Rob Zywicki, the superintendent of schools for the Mount Olive Township School District, and Kevin Coyne, the president of the Brentwood Teachers Association and a member of NYSUT's board of directors, to talk about education.

Looking for more information on the State of our Schools? Click on the links below for updates from the tri-state area:

Bronx State of our Schools

Brooklyn State of our Schools

Connecticut State of our Schools

Hudson Valley State of our Schools

Long Island State of our Schools

New Jersey State of our Schools

Westchester State of our Schools