Board member Venus Cain reported to the Richmond County School System Board that she received complaints from three bus drivers who were concerned for their safety because students refuse to wear masks.
“It’s not only been just wearing masks . . . and I’ve heard many bus drivers say that they don’t get any support from the principals on discipline and behavior issues on the bus,” she said.
Cain expressed concern that non-compliance with mask-wearing requirements does not help slow the spread of COVID-19. She asked the BOE to make it mandatory for students to wear masks on the buses, pointing out that President Joseph Biden ordered that masks be worn on all public transportation. She asked that local principals support the bus drivers by implementing consequences for non-compliance.
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“They need that support to maintain control on the bus,” she said.
Although the school system has progressive discipline measures in place, Cain said she felt the principals are not exercising their options.
“What good are the tools if they are not properly being used?” she asked the board.
Superintendent Kenneth Bradshaw said the school system would continue to look at the process and make sure students are adhering to the mask mandates.
Cain also questioned the board about purchasing face pieces that keep masks from resting on teachers’ mouths, enabling them to speak easier. Bradshaw commented that currently the school system is using state-provided PPE.
Shellie Smitley is a staff writer at The Augusta Press. Reach her at shellie@theaugustapress.com.
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