Rock Hill school board set to vote on proposal for 10-minute COVID-19 mask breaks
The Rock Hill Schools Board of Trustees debated several policies at their first meeting since the district’s first day of school, including the most contentious one.
Changes to the district’s mask-wearing policy, which currently requires students and staff to wear masks at all times while inside district buildings or on district transportation, were considered on Monday. One proposed change would allow students to take one 10-minute break every hour from wearing a mask.
The proposed changes were passed by a 6-1 vote Monday after a first read. Proposed changes won’t be implemented until after a second and final reading of the policy is passed by the school board.
The second reading is scheduled on Sept. 28.
“What we are doing now is soliciting feedback from parents and staff,” school district spokesman Mychal Frost told The Herald via phone interview. “That’s just our practice after a policy is approved on first reading.”
Before the school year started, face coverings were allowed to be removed only 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.”
That rule was passed on Aug. 24 with the sentiment — which was shared by many school board trustees — that this was a “conservative approach” to the mask-wearing policy, and that it could be revisited.
What were the proposed changes to Rock Hill’s mask rule?
Per the media packet provided at the Monday meeting, there were several proposed changes, including:
▪ Pre-kindergarten students would be allowed to take off their masks during naptime.
▪ Students wouldn’t have to wear face coverings during physical education classes held outdoors.
▪ Students in band class who play instruments that require the use of a mouthpiece wouldn’t have to wear a mask during that class.
▪ Faculty and staff would not need to wear masks when they’re alone in their office or classroom.
▪ Elementary school students would be permitted a facemask break for 10 minutes each hour during the school day.
▪ Middle school students would be allowed a mask break for 10 minutes during each academic core course and a five-minute mask break for each elective course.
▪ High school students would be allowed a mask break for 10 minutes during each block.
Trustee Brent Faulkenberry, who was the only one to vote against the proposed change in policy, asked for clarification on when the 10-minute breaks would be allowed. He said when the policy was first discussed, the breaks were intended to be taken during quiet times.
“Is it the intent now that it is no longer going to be a silent period for the students?” Faulkenberry said. “That it is just going to be normal classroom time?”
Superintendent Bill Cook said right now, it is a possibility that the breaks could occur during instructional time.
“What we have put into this recommendation is that they are seated and within that six feet of social distancing, so it could be either right now that the current wording is,” Cook said. “We can certainly consider adjusting that if we needed to.”
How can I provide input?
Anyone interested in providing input can reach out to the Rock Hill schools’ board members.
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