Aiken County school district: Masks in school to be optional after governor's executive order
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May 11—Aiken County Public School District officials confirmed that masks will be optional for students due to a Tuesday executive order from Gov. Henry McMaster.
Parents and guardians can now opt their children out of the face covering requirement in South Carolina schools, according to the executive order. School board chairman Dr. John Bradley acknowledged the executive order at the Aiken County Board of Education meeting.
"We have known for months that our schools are some of the safest places when it comes to COVID-19," McMaster said in a press release. "With every adult in our state having the opportunity to receive a vaccine, it goes against all logic to continue to force our children — especially our youngest children — to wear masks against their parents' wishes. Whether a child wears a mask in school is a decision that should be left only to a student's parents."
To view a livestream of the board meeting, visit acpsd.net.
The Aiken Standard will update this article. Check back for more.
