Lexington, SC (05/12/2021) – Tuesday evening, Governor McMaster issued an executive order, Executive Order 2021-23, which allows parents to opt their students out of wearing a mask at school if they so desire. The order still requires face coverings for students and staff on school buses per the President’s Executive Order No. 13998.
The governor has asked DHEC and the South Carolina Department of Education to develop and distribute a standardized form that grants the opt out privilege. At this point however, there is no form and there are still many questions about the order that need to be answered.
Lexington School District One’s Superintendent Dr. Greg Little said via email late Tuesday that as District One waits for more precise guidance on the order, they will allow students to opt out of the mandate using a personal note from a parent or legal guardian. These notes must be signed, dated, and clearly state that the child will not be wearing a mask in class.
Lexington County School District One will still require all staff and visitors to wear masks on a school busses or on campus according to Dr. Little.
In his email, Dr. Little said that the District still believes that one of the reasons they’ve had so few cases of in-school spread is because of their deliberate and careful approach centered around a variety of safety measures. According to Little, masks have played an essential role in the District’s successful return to school, and they encourage all students to continue wearing a mask.
In closing, Dr. Little committed to continue communicating with parents once more is know about the appropriate form and the latest guidelines and changes.
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