York County has one of the first SC school districts with an approved return plan.
The Clover School District is the first in York County to have its back-to-school plan for this fall approved.
On Monday, state education superintendent Molly Spearman announced the first six school districts statewide to have their reopening plans approved. Districts had to submit plans for how best to reopen after COVID-19 social distancing sent public education into the virtual world in March.
“The plans approved today offer parents high quality, innovative face to face and virtual options while keeping student and staff safety as their top priority,” Spearman said in a statement Monday. “I commend these school communities for considering the latest scientific data and guidance along with the academic, social and emotional needs of students to make localized decisions.”
Allendale, Berkeley and Saluda county districts had their plans approved, along with Anderson County Dist. 5 and Spartanburg County Dist. 2. Clover, one of four districts in York County, was the other on the list. York, Rock Hill and Fort Mill await approval of their plans.
The Clover and Spartanburg districts offer five-day, face-to-face instruction options with enhanced safety protocols that keep students together in cohorts to prevent the spread of disease. Clover also offers a separate virtual academy for parents of students who choose that route.
At least half of the six districts with approved models offer five-day, in-person options. Area districts spent months prepping for fall plans before Gov. Henry McMaster put out his recommendation just ahead of the plan due date that Spearman not approve plans without a full five-day, in-person option. McMaster also called for a later school start date on Sept. 8.
“Our goal is for every school to return to five-day face-to-face instruction as quickly as safety conditions allow,” Spearman said. “South Carolinians can support their neighborhood school by wearing a face mask, practicing social distancing, washing their hands regularly and staying at home when sick. These precautions have the potential to significantly expedite our education system’s return to normalcy.”
Spearman also mandated face coverings for students and adults on school buses, which could increase ridership from what was thought to be half capacity up to 67% capacity. Masks are strongly encouraged within school buildings, though local districts can work that detail into their own plans.
There have been 73 plans submitted by districts to the state. Eight districts were granted extensions.
The Clover district serves its namesake town, along with the high-growth Lake Wylie area.
This story was originally published July 27, 2020 at 5:02 PM.
