Districts Can Implement Masks As Dress Code: GA Superintendent

GEORGIA — After a week full of students testing positive for the coronavirus, others being disciplined for sharing photos from school, and the constant mask debate, Georgia Superintendent Richard Woods has spoken out.

“As the school year begins, schools across our state are working hard to serve students, whether virtually or in-person," Woods said. "They are implementing intensive protocols to keep their students, teachers, and staff safe, and I am deeply appreciative of their efforts."

Woods said his department has heard concerns in the opening days that he wanted to address.

Multiple images and videos went viral on Twitter this week of a packed hallway in North Paulding High School.

"Our reopening guidelines developed in partnership with the Georgia Department of Public Health lay out strategies schools can use to limit the number of students congregating during transitions, including staggered class changes and hallway flow paths," Woods said. "While these are recommendations and not mandates, we do strongly suggest that schools consider implementing these strategies.

"Additionally, while the use of face coverings/masks is not mandated by the state, it is strongly recommended in settings where social distancing is difficult to accomplish – including hallway transitions. Local school districts do have the authority to require face coverings as part of their dress code policy.

At least two North Paulding High School students were suspended Wednesday for posting the images of a crowded school hallway.

"To be very clear, discipline decisions are constitutionally the purview of local boards of education," Woods said. "With that said, I want to encourage our districts and schools to operate with transparency, and to ensure that students and staff are not penalized for expressing their concerns."

Woods said he recognizes this situation is new for everyone navigating it.

"We are forging this path together, and the Georgia Department of Education continues to stand in support of Georgia’s school leaders, teachers, students, parents and families," he said.

The day after school began for Cherokee County Schools, a second grade classroom at Sixes Elementary School in Cherokee County has been forced to quarantine after a student tested positive for the coronavirus. Three additional schools have reported more positive cases on Wednesday.

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