Rock Hill school district opts for ‘conservative approach’ for COVID-19 mask rule
Students and staff in Rock Hill schools will need to wear masks at all times while inside district buildings or on district transportation, the district’s board of trustees voted Monday.
The adopted policy, which passed 6-1, will not allow students to take mask breaks scheduled by school-level administration inside the classroom.
Face coverings may be removed during mealtimes and outdoor recess when people can maintain a distance of six feet; if someone has trouble breathing “due to a medical emergency”; and if anyone is unconscious or otherwise “unable to remove the mask without assistance,” according to the school district. The rules do not apply to children 2 years old and younger.
The decision was a milestone in a months-long discussion about how schools will operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rock Hill Schools’ first day of school is Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, and students who have chosen to attend school in-person will do so on a “C-A/B” schedule, where half of the students come on one day and the other half come the next.
Monday, the mask debate among the trustees centered on whether students would be allowed to take their masks off on a limited basis inside the classroom, provided that social distancing and other CDC and South Carolina DHEC coronavirus recommendations are possible. The social distancing provision was in the initial policy, but was removed in an amendment before the final vote.
In the end, several board members opted for a more “conservative approach” to begin the year but said the board should reassess the policy as the school year goes on.
“I feel like it’s best that we take a more conservative approach and just strike the clause altogether, and then as I mentioned potentially revisit this policy as we get into the school year and consider how we might evolve,” said trustee Robin Owens.
Windy Cole, another trustee, added she would rather “err on the side of caution with this and to definitely take a look at next month to let classes get started and see how things are going.”
Board chairperson Helena Miller said parents, teachers and students are feeling anxious now, not knowing how the school year will unfold. Making a decision about masks would remove one cause of anxiety, Miller said.
“There are going to be a lot of changes, a lot of adaptations that our students and staff are going to have to go through,” Miller said.
“We have heard from teachers and parents who are anxious, and I think that based on some of the verbiage in the back to school plan, the overwhelming thought was that masks would be worn in the building. And mask breaks cause some anxiety, based on the feedback that I’ve gotten.”
Other updates from Rock Hill Schools meeting
Superintendent Bill Cook made several announcements pertaining to school reopening.
▪ He said schools are contacting families through mail to provide A or B day assignments. He advised parents to work with their school principals for accommodations.
▪ He said the assignments of teachers for the virtual academy are being finalized.
▪ He updated when and where students attending the virtual academy can pick up their breakfast and lunch meals. Preorders can be made at rockhill.nutrislice.com and can be picked up at one of seven locations throughout the district: Belleview Elementary, Finley Road Elementary, Oakdale Elementary, Rosewood Elementary, Castle Heights Middle, Dutchman Creek Middle and Northwestern High.
▪ “LEAP Week” is next week for elementary and middle school students and teachers, as required by the S.C. Department of Education. Activities include parent orientation meetings and assistance with access to technology and internet, if needed.
The board also unanimously passed its Title IX policies for students and staff. For the full policy, visit the Rock Hill Schools website.
This story was originally published August 24, 2020 at 10:10 PM.
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