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Student mask wearing being tracked by Orangeburg School District

The school district superintendent says they're tracking the number of kids wearing masks to help make parents feel comfortable about sending their kids to school.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Orangeburg County Schools have been operating for two weeks. 

The school district keeps track of how many students in each school are and are not wearing masks.

"If the majority of my students and parents are deciding to wear a mask, then there is no need for me to seek our board's permission of a mask mandate," said Dr. Shawn Foster, Orangeburg County School District's Superintendent.

The school district superintendent says they're tracking the number of kids wearing masks to help make parents feel comfortable when sending their children to school.

"The intent was to do it for the first two weeks of school," explained Dr. Foster. "We put out our data last Friday, and then we will gather it again this coming Friday. But also, if we had other schools with low percentages, and they saw other schools were making that option, then maybe they'll join in as one."

The Orangeburg County School District doesn't require students or staff to wear a mask. 

However, they are asking the administration at each school to send them daily reports on how many students aren't masking up.

RELATED: Newberry County School District implements school mask mandate

Dr. Foster says he will decide to continue this effort after this week. He says the data collected will help with decision-making.

 Last week's numbers show out of 10,377 students enrolled, only 976 students were without a mask. Meaning over 90 percent were wearing a face covering. 

"We're using it to monitor how our schools are, and it gives us the ability to give back information to the community," said Dr. Foster. "The parent that sees their child's school numbers are not where they need to be, they will do one of two things. They may ask their child to join in, or they may encourage their child that's wearing a mask to practice those safety protocols more."

RELATED: 'A slippery slope:' Some Richland Two parents oppose face covering policy

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