LIST: K-12 schools in Charlotte-area districts mask, vaccine and remote learning decisions
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper strongly encouraged face coverings in schools, saying masks help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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Public school districts across the Carolinas are reviewing COVID-19 protocols as the omicron variant continues to cause a surge in coronavirus cases nationwide.
At the state level in North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper strongly recommended but did not require, masks for most students this school year. Local school districts on the county or city level are instituting their own decisions on whether students or staff will need to wear masks
Currently, North Carolina law requires school systems to vote on face covering policies once a month. The legislation is for the 2021-22 school year.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging K-12 districts to follow guidance issued in the NC StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit.
Schools in South Carolina were originally banned from implementing a mask requirement policy. On Tuesday, Sept. 28, U.S. District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis Tuesday issued a temporary restraining order on the enforcement of the proviso that stops masks from being required in schools.
The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals denied South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Attorney General Alan Wilson's request to stop a U.S. District Court judge's order about the ruling on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
WCNC Charlotte will continue to follow updates as they become available.
Alexander County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 22, 2022
Masks:
The Alexander County Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to move to a masks optional policy effective Feb. 23. The move was approved unanimously.
Vaccines:
Alexander County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Alexander County Schools is offering remote learning for its students.
Anson County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 28, 2022
Masks:
The Anson County Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Feb. 28, to adopt a masks optional policy effective March 7. The district will provide necessary communication to families ahead of March 7. Until that time, the district will continue with masks.
Vaccines:
Anson County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Ashe County Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
The Ashe County Board of Education voted the first week of November to make masks optional. The transition period for masks to be optional started Nov. 8 for high school and middle school. Elementary schools will transition to masks optional Nov. 29.
Ashe County Schools district leaders voted 3-2 to mandate masks during an Aug. 13 special meeting.
Vaccines:
Ashe County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
The district has not provided this information.
Avery County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 8, 2022
Masks:
Avery County Schools will remain under masks optional policy for students and staff. The district's board of education voted on the measure on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Vaccines:
Avery County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Burke County Public Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 7, 2022
Masks:
The Burke County Public Schools Board of Education was deadlocked on votes during its meeting on Monday, Feb. 7. With no decision voted on, the school system will remain masks optional.
Vaccines:
Burke County Public Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Burke Virtual Academy is taking inquiries from parents on a case-by-case basis and is reviewing the requests.
Cabarrus County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 7, 2022
Masks:
The Cabarrus County Board of Education voted on Monday, Feb. 7, to shift back to a masks optional policy. The policy will be in effect for 30 days and starts Feb. 8.
Vaccines:
Cabarrus County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Cabarrus County Schools is offering virtual learning for its students.
Cabarrus Charter Academy
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
CCA requires masks for everyone inside the building, regardless of vaccination status as outlined in their own COVID-19 response plan.
Vaccines:
CCA has not indicated if faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Remote Learning:
CCA has remote learning tools to use as need be. On Aug. 27, the academy confirmed to WCNC Charlotte they would switch to remote learning through Sept. 13 because of COVID-19.
Caldwell County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 14, 2022
Masks:
The Caldwell County Schools Board of Education held an emergency meeting on Monday, Feb. 14, and voted to make masks optional.
Vaccines:
Caldwell County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Caldwell County School System decided to reopen an enrollment period for Caldwell Online, a fully remote virtual learning option for the upcoming school year that's available for all K-12 students. The application, which can be found here, will be available starting Aug. 3 through Aug. 10 at 5 p.m.
In order to participate in Caldwell Online, students must have reliable internet access, be online for classes at the specified time with cameras on, have a dedicated workspace for remote work, and be prepared to come to school for any required state or district benchmark assessments.
K-5 students in Caldwell Online must commit to at least a semester online, must have adult supervision during regular school hours, and will remain enrolled under their same school as before. Students in grades 6-12 must commit to a year of online enrollment, should be self-motivated or have adult supervision, and will also remain enrolled under their 'home school.'
Catawba County Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Catawba County Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Jan. 24, to go masks optional starting Jan. 25. The move will be revisited during the next BOE meeting on Feb. 28.
Catawba County originally made masks optional for students and staff, except on schools buses due to the federal mandate, then on Aug. 31, the board of education voted to mandate masks inside all facilities. The Dec. 7 decision reversed this, reverting students and staff back to a masks-optional policy.
In an emergency meeting on Jan. 14, 2022, the Board of Education voted 4-3 to mandate masks again, effective Jan. 18. Another vote on masks is expected at the board's regular meeting, scheduled for Jan. 24.
Vaccines:
Catawba County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
The deadline to apply for the Online Catawaba K-12 Virtual Program was March 19, 2021.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 22, 2022
Masks:
The CMS Board of Education voted to make masks optional effective March 7.
Vaccines:
Starting September 20, Charlotte Mecklenburg School staff will be asked to provide the school district with their COVID-19 vaccination status, CMS said Tuesday confirming the start date. Unvaccinated staff members will be tested regularly.
Remote learning:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is offering virtual learning options for its students.
Charlotte Latin School
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Masks are required indoors for everyone.
- Masks are not required out of doors.
According to the school's website, any student, employee, parent volunteer or visitor who doesn't adhere to the mask policy may be removed from the community.
Vaccines:
Vaccination records must be submitted to the school's nursing staff via email. Students or staff members who previously submitted a vaccination photo do not need to resubmit.
Remote Learning:
Decisions made regarding the type of instruction are based on a risk matrix that was used in the spring to determine Charlotte Latin's response to the spread of COVID-19. Multiple factors go into this risk matrix and parents will be alerted of changes directly via email.
Chester County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 28, 2022
Masks:
The Chester County School District voted to suspend the mask mandate effective March 7. The board voted on the measure 4-2. District administration will be able to revisit metrics to see about possible adjustments if a situation comes up.
Chesterfield County School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Masks are mandatory in Chesterfield County School District schools. Click here for expectations to this mask mandate.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is opposed to mask mandates in schools, saying the decision should be left up to parents. McMaster threatened any districts that try to implement a mask mandate could lose their funding.
Vaccines:
The Chesterfield County School District has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
In July, the South Carolina State Board of Education Monday reviewed and approved virtual learning plans from 33 school districts for the school year. Among the approved districts: Lancaster County Schools, all four districts within York County, Chesterfield County, Lancaster County, Sumter county, Orangeburg county, and Kershaw County.
Cleveland County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 14, 2022
Masks:
The Cleveland County Schools Board of Education voted 9-0 on Monday, Feb. 14, to make masks optional.
Vaccines:
Cleveland County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Clover School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Masks currently remain optional for students, staff and faculty within the Clover School District.
Vaccines:
No COVID-19 vaccination information for Clover School District was readily available to view online.
Remote learning:
Clover School District offered virtual learning opportunities for students.
Fort Mill School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
The Fort Mill School District announced on Tuesday, Oct. 5, that it will keep masks optional.
The Fort Mill School District has more than 17,000 students. You can learn more about the decision in the recent report by Indira Eskieva.
Vaccines:
Fort Mill School District has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Fort Mill School District is offering virtual learning options for its students.
Gaston County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 21, 2022.
Masks:
The Gaston County Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Feb. 21, to remain masks optional. The vote was unanimous.
Vaccines:
Gaston County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Gaston County Schools is offering virtual learning options for its students.
Hickory Public Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
During a board meeting on Aug. 9, 2021, the Hickory Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to require masks indoors for all students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade for the 2021-22 school year. A similar requirement also applies to staff and any visitors who enter a campus.
Additionally, the Board of Education will review the current status of COVID-19 spread in the community on a monthly basis with Catawba County Public Health.
Vaccines:
Hickory Public Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Iredell-Stateville Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 14, 2022
Masks:
The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education voted unanimously on Monday, Feb. 14, to make masks optional:
- Stopped the exclusion of asymptomatic students/staff, whether the close contact is in school, the household, or in the community.
- Will continue to exclude positive cases per the control measure.
- Will provide the option of testing to allow staff and students who have symptoms, but test negative, to remain in school to the greatest extent possible.
- Stopped the task of contacting every individual close contact and instead focus on broader notifications, such as notifying an entire class or team when there is a positive case.
Vaccines:
Iredell-Statesville Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Iredell-Statesville Schools is offering virtual learning options for its students, as it has done in the past.
Kannapolis City Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
The Kannapolis City Schools Board of Education initially voted to make masks optional. However, during a regular meeting on Aug. 9, 2021, the board reversed course. Beginning Aug. 10, all students, staff, and visitors will need to wear a mask indoors.
According to the board, the decision came after COVID-19 data in the community changed, along with recommendations from state and local health agencies. Kannapolis City Schools will also have limited remote learning options available for students with approved medical documentation.
Vaccines:
Kannapolis City Schools is not requiring vaccines for teachers.
Remote learning:
No, Kannapolis City Schools is not offering virtual learning options for its students.
Lake Norman Charter
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
The Lake Norman Charter Board of Education voted to make masks required for students and staff for the 2021-22 school year.
Vaccines:
Lake Norman Charter has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Lancaster County School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
South Carolina schools are not permitted to mandate masks, though some districts across the Palmetto State have challenged that law. At this time, masks are optional. Students are only required to wear masks if they are on the tail end of quarantine. If a student has to quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure and they are asymptomatic after 10 days they can return to school on the 11th day but must wear a mask until the end of a 14-day-total quarantine period.
Vaccines:
The Lancaster County School District has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote Learning:
Indian Land Intermediate School announced on Aug. 27 it would be temporarily moving to remote learning following a "severe shortage of faculty and staff due to COVID-19." Since the school year started on Aug. 16, the school has seen roughly 40 positive COVID-19 cases, and 475 students and staff have had to be absent due to COVID-19. School leaders say this is around half of the school population. The school will be remote for all students at the school starting Aug. 30 and will resume face-to-face instruction on Sept. 7.
In July, the South Carolina State Board of Education Monday reviewed and approved virtual learning plans from 33 school districts for the school year. Among the approved districts: Lancaster County Schools, all four districts within York County, Chesterfield County, Lancaster County, Sumter county, Orangeburg county, and Kershaw County.
Lincoln County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 8, 2022
Masks:
The Lincoln County Board of Education voted on Feb. 8 to keep masks optional by a 4-3 vote.
Vaccines:
Lincoln County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
No, Lincoln County Schools is not offering virtual learning options for its students.
Lincoln Charter School
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Masks were optional for the start of the year at Lincoln Charter School.
The BOE voted on Monday, Sept. 27, to continue having students, staff and visitors wear masks on property. The item will be brought up again during October's BOE meeting.
Vaccines:
Lincoln Charter School has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Mooresville Graded School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 11, 2022
Masks:
The Mooresville Graded School District announced it will require masks for students, staff and faculty when students return on Wednesday, Jan. 5. The board voted on Jan. 11 to remain masks required until at least the following month's meeting.
Vaccines:
Mooresville Graded School District has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Yes, Mooresville Graded School District is offering virtual learning options for its students.
Newton-Conover School District
Accurate as of: Jan. 11, 2022
Masks:
During the district's board meeting on Jan. 10, officials voted 4-2 to keep masks optional within the district.
The vote was a reversal of a previous decision on Aug. 2 to make masks optional for students and staff. The school district previously said if conditions warrant it, masks can be made universal.
Vaccines:
Newton-Conover School District has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Rock Hill Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Face masks are required in all district facilities.
Vaccines:
Remote learning:
Rock Hill Schools is offering virtual learning opportunities for students.
Rowan-Salisbury Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 24, 2022
Masks:
The Rowan-Salisbury Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Jan. 24 to remain masks optional.
Vaccines:
Rowan-Salisbury Schools is not requiring vaccines for teachers.
Remote learning:
Yes, Rowan-Salisbury Schools has virtual learning options for its students.
Richmond County Schools
Accurate as of: March 1, 2022
Masks:
The Richmond County Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday, March 1, to make masks optional effective Thursday March 3.
Vaccines:
Richmond County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Stanly County Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
The Stanly County Board of Education voted on Oct. 21 to make masks optional within the school system for students, staff & faculty.
Vaccines:
Stanly County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
Union County Public Schools
Accurate as of: Jan. 11, 2022
Masks:
The Union County Public Schools Board of Education voted 7-1 on Tuesday, Jan. 11, to remain masks optional within the district.
Vaccines:
Union County Public Schools is not requiring vaccines for teachers.
Remote learning:
No, Union County Public Schools will not have virtual learning options for their students.
Watauga County Schools
Accurate as of: Feb. 22, 2022
Masks:
The Watauga County Schools Board of Education voted on Tuesday, Feb. 22, to move to a masks optional policy. The vote was 5-0.
Vaccines:
Watauga County Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
York County Public Schools
York County Public Schools
York County Public Schools consists of York Schools District 1, York Schools District 2, York Schools District 3, and York Schools District 4.
Accurate as of: Jan. 10, 2022
Masks:
Masks are optional in York County schools. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster is opposed to mask mandates in schools, saying the decision should be left up to parents. McMaster threatened any districts that try to implement a mask mandate could lose their funding.
However, York Schools District 1 defied McMaster and enacted their own mask mandate on Sept. 1
Vaccines:
York County Public Schools has not released any information about student/teacher vaccine requirements.
Remote learning:
In July, the South Carolina State Board of Education Monday reviewed and approved virtual learning plans from 33 school districts for the school year. Among the approved districts: Lancaster County Schools, all four districts within York County, Chesterfield County, Lancaster County, Sumter county, Orangeburg county, and Kershaw County.
COVID-19 mask guidance
COVID-19 mask guidance
Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) for schools states masks should be worn indoors by people age two and older who are not fully vaccinated. The Mecklenburg County Health Department is supportive of the CDC's guidance.
RELATED: With a new school year starting soon, concerns about students and COVID-19 get the spotlight again
"The reality, especially in our elementary schools, is none of those children have had the opportunity to be vaccinated unless of course they've been part of a study and that's not a lot," said Gibbie Harris, Mecklenburg County's health director.
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