The Aiken County Board of Education voted Tuesday night to reverse two policies put in place last school year due to COVID-19. The board rescinded the temporary policy mandating face masks be worn on campus and in school buildings. The board also reversed the temporary suspension of semester exams for all high school students.
Superintendent King Laurence told board members faculty and staff have been preparing for the new school year, but some challenges remain.
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“COVID-19 infections are increasing,” he said. “In fact, South Carolina and Aiken County numbers are higher right now than they were at this time a year ago.”
He said the district employees and students know more now than they did a year ago and precautions are being taken to protect against spread of the virus.
“We have air purifiers in our classrooms and we continue to work to improve ventilation,” Laurence said. “We will provide regular opportunities for hand-washing with soap and water. Hand sanitizer stations are installed in all classrooms and throughout the schools.”
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Cleaning and disinfecting will increase in high touch areas, and students will maintain at least three feet of social distancing whenever possible. Students and staff are asked to stay home when they are sick and the district will perform contract tracing for any possible exposures.
King said, “We will be limiting visitors in our schools. I know that disappoints many of our parents on the first day of school who enjoy walking their students to their classes, but it’s something necessary to limit contact.”
Schools in the Palmetto State are prohibited from mandating mask wearing, but Laurence repeated his advice encouraging students and staff to wear face covering while in school. He also urged everyone to get vaccinated, including students aged 12 and older. Both of those steps are also recommended by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
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He said, “These measures will go a long way to ensuring the safety of our staff, our students and their families. I firmly believe having students in their classrooms everyday that it’s possible is crucial to their social and emotional well-being and academic development.”
More than 22,000 students in Aiken County head back to their classrooms on Aug. 16.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a Staff Reporter with The Augusta Press. You can reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com.
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