Richland School District Two will continue to require face coverings to be worn by employees, students and visitors in accordance with Richland Two Board Policy ADD Face Covering. In making this decision, district leaders consider the following guidance:
- On May 15, 2021, the CDC posted on their website the recommendation that schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the 2020-2021 school year.
- S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has reviewed the CDC updated recommendations regarding face masks released on May 13, 2021. Following that review DHEC announced the following:
“DHEC has reviewed the science behind the CDC’s recent mask guidelines and now advises that South Carolinians who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors with a few exceptions.
“At this time, people should still continue to wear masks when in schools, healthcare facilities, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and on commercial transportation.
“Unvaccinated people need to continue to properly wear face masks in public.”
- In rescinding the state face covering policy with the exception of the school bus requirement, the S.C. Department of Education stated: “After a thorough legal review of Executive Order 2021-23, the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) finds no legal grounds by which the Governor can set aside a policy and regulatory directive issued by another constitutional officer or constitutional board whose power is not derived from the state of emergency nor the Executive Branch but by the South Carolina Constitution and Code of Laws. This power is reserved solely for the South Carolina General Assembly.”
- In responding to Executive Order 2021-23, both DHEC and the SCDE released statements affirming that wearing face masks and taking other precautions are important disease prevention methods in the school setting.
- The district must adhere to public health guidance to preserve immunity from COVID-19 liability as directed in the South Carolina COVID-19 Liability Immunity Act signed into law on April 28, 2021.
When the CDC and DHEC update their mask guidance for the school setting, the district will revisit Policy ADD Face Covering.
District leaders understand and respect that some individuals will not agree with this decision in light of the Governor’s May 11, 2021 executive order. We assure the Richland Two family that the district’s decision to maintain the face covering requirement is based on our commitment to putting health and safety first. Continuing to rely on the recommendations of public health authorities ensures our decisions are based on expert knowledge.
South Carolina Code of Law 59-19-90 gives school boards the authority to establish standards of conduct in order “that the welfare of the greatest possible number of pupils shall be promoted… .” Allowing individuals to opt out of legally passed policies created to ensure the safety of our employees, students and visitors creates a dangerous precedent that jeopardizes the safety of all — now and in the future.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding as we focus on finishing up the last four weeks of 2020–2021 school year in the safest and most effective manner possible.
