For Immediate Release
Colleton County School Board Approves Face Covering
Policy
September 3, 2020 (Walterboro, S.C.) – The Colleton County School District Board of Trustees
voted to approve a temporary policy which mandates the wearing of face coverings on all Colleton
County School District properties during a special board meeting September 1.
The board adopted this policy to protect the health and safety of our students and staff members
in areas where proper social distancing measures are not possible.
The policy can be read in full on our website.The policy states in part that:
• All CCSD staff and students will wear a face covering (defined as a uniform piece of
fabric, cloth, or other material that fully and securely covers the wearer’s nose, mouth
and chin simultaneously, and is secured to the wearer’s face by elastic, ties or other
means) at all times on district property, or when conducting business on behalf of the
district off district property (such as driving a bus, conducting home visits, or supervising
athletic events). The school district will provide face coverings to all students and staff
members who need one, and expects that these coverings will be washed regularly to
insure maximum effectiveness.
• Homemade, reusable, or disposable face coverings can be worn by students and staff.
Face shields worn by themselves are not considered acceptable face coverings, but face
shields can be worn in tandem with another face covering.
• Failure of a student or staff member to wear a face covering may result in discipline in
accordance with district policy and codes of conduct.
• Face coverings cannot display emblems related to alcohol, illegal or abusive
substances, gangs, violence, sex, or obscenities. Any face covering considered
inappropriate to a school setting and/or a disruption to the educational process by district
administration will not be allowed. Face coverings can feature schoolapproved/manufactured logos.
• Face coverings may not have to be worn in certain circumstances, such as mealtimes,
outdoor recess where students can maintain a physical distance of at least six feet,
during administration of medication or medical treatment, or in areas where social
distancing guidelines can be met as determined by district staff.
• Request for health, developmental or religious exemptions from the face covering policy
will be considered by the superintendent or his/her designee. Documentation may be
requested to justify the exemption. If a student or a student’s parent/legal guardian
requests an exemption from this face covering policy for a reason other than those listed
above, they will be offered virtual instruction for the period that face coverings are
required to be worn on district property.
• The district will not tolerate any harassment or bullying of anyone wearing a face
covering, or those with an exemption from wearing a face covering, and will discipline
any student or staff member who engages in this behavior.
• Anyone visiting a school or district property must wear a face covering at all times. If a
visitor refuses to wear a face covering, they will be asked to leave.
Please see the policy placed on our website for additional face covering policy information.