On the heels of Wednesday’s fiery comments from Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, Aiken County’s superintendent said the Aiken County school district will follow the governor’s executive order.
In the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control weekly COVID-19 briefing May 12, Spears said she was not consulted before the governor rescinded the mask wearing mandate, causing “chaos” among school districts.
MORE: South Carolina School Leader Speaks Out Against Governor’s Executive Order
Aiken School Superintendent King Laurence said officials have decided not to use the opt-out form being offered by the governor should any district choose to continue the mask mandate.
“We’ve got four weeks left in the school year and have a whole lot of important work to do. We just didn’t want our schools and teachers to have that distraction,” he said.
[adrotate banner=”22″]
Laurence does agree with Spearman and DHEC Director Edward Simmer, urging students and staff to continue wearing masks voluntarily.
“I agree with the CDC and DHEC. I believe that masks are one of those useful mitigation measures that are layered on top of each other. I strongly encourage everyone, students and staff, to continue to wear masks,” Laurence added.
The district held seven clinics this year to help staff and students age 16 and older get vaccinated. He said more than half the staff has been vaccinated. He does not know how many students have been vaccinated. They may schedule more clinics through the summer months.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
[adrotate banner=”41″]
