Charlotte-area districts switch on masks in schools. Here’s where others stand.
While many North Carolina students return to campus after winter break, some Charlotte-area public school districts have updated their face mask policies as the coronavirus continues to spread.
After voting in favor of optional masking, the Cabarrus County Board of Education reversed their decisions on Monday and masks will be required for all students and staff. Masks are also required on campuses in the Mooresville Graded School District, officials announced Jan. 4.
Other districts, like Lincoln County Schools and Union County Schools have been mask-optional for the majority of the 2021-2022 school year.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools still requires masks for all students and staff on campus. The CMS board approved the requirement in an 8-1 vote during an emergency meeting on July 30.
On Dec. 28, 3,494 COVID-19 cases — a record high — were reported in Mecklenburg County. Health officials have said the highly-contagious omicron variant is to blame for the spike in positive cases.
Gov. Roy Cooper and state health officials recommended on July 21 that all students and staff in K-8 wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status. High school students should wear masks if they’re not vaccinated, Cooper said.
Fully vaccinated people should wear a mask in public settings — including in schools, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in October.
This is where other Charlotte-area school districts stand on mask-wearing:
Alexander County Schools: The school board voted on Oct. 12 to require masks when the number of positive cases in the school system exceeds 20 for a three-week rolling average.
Anson County Schools: On Nov. 22, the school board voted to continue with mandatory face coverings requirements for students and staff.
Cabarrus County Schools: After voting 5-2 in favor of optional masking Aug. 23, the school board voted 4-3 on Jan. 10 to require masks for students and staff.
Catawba County Schools: Masks are optional, except on yellow buses and activity buses.
Caldwell County Schools: Masks are required. The mandate will stay in place when the COVID-19 positivity rate for students and staff exceeds 0.5% within a three-week rolling average.
Gaston County Schools: The school board voted on Dec. 20 in favor of optional masking.
Hickory Public Schools: The school board voted Nov. 22 to require masks for all students and staff. Mask requirements will be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Iredell-Statesville Schools: The school board on Dec. 13 voted 6-1 to require masks in schools. The decision came after the district ended their mask mandate Nov. 8.
Kannapolis City Schools: Masks are required for all students, staff and visitors after the school board’s Aug. 9 vote.
Lincoln County Schools: The school board voted on Nov. 9 to keep masks optional .
Mooresville Graded School District: The district announced on Jan. 4 that masks will be required inside facilities and school buses. The requirement will be reevaluated at the school board meeting Jan. 11.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools: The school board voted on Oct. 25 to make masks optional. They had previously voted Aug. 18 to require masks in all school buildings for everyone in two weeks.
Union County Public Schools: On Nov. 4, the school board voted 7-2 to keep masks optional for students and staff.
Other NC school districts
Wake County Public Schools: The school board for the state’s largest school district unanimously voted to make masks mandatory for teachers, students and staff during a meeting Aug. 3. Face coverings are optional outdoors.
Durham Public Schools: The district is requiring students and staff at year-round schools to wear masks indoors when six feet of distance cannot be maintained, according to their website.
Stanly County Schools: The school board voted on Oct. 21 to make masks optional. The board had previously voted on Aug. 3 to require masks until the percent positive rate for COVID-19 tests falls below 7.9% for a consecutive two-week period.
Richmond County Schools: The school board unanimously voted on Aug. 3 to enforce universal masking for students during the upcoming 2021-22 academic year, regardless of vaccination status.
South Carolina schools
S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order in May that allows parents, guardians and legal custodians to opt out of mask requirements by school districts, The State of Columbia reported.
Lancaster County Schools: The district is strongly encouraging the use of masks, but they are not required.
York District 1: The Board of Trustees voted on Aug. 30 to require face coverings for students and staff.
Fort Mill School District: Students and staff aren’t required to wear masks, the district announced Oct. 5.
Clover School District: Masks are optional in schools, but they will have to be worn on buses.
Rock Hill Schools: Masks are required.
This story was originally published July 28, 2021 at 6:25 AM.
