The new school year begins today for Clarke County students amid a nationwide uptick of coronavirus cases. The school district’s updated policy does not require students and staff to wear masks, but vaccination and mask wearing are strongly encouraged.
Masks are optional in all Georgia public schools for the next five years due to a law passed by Governor Brian Kemp in March. The “Unmask Georgia Students” law prohibits any local board of education, superintendent or personnel of public and state charter schools from imposing rules requiring students to wear a face mask without providing an opt-out choice.
Clarke County School District will continue to utilize other measures to mitigate transmission of the virus, such as improving air circulation in classrooms, as well as offering free COVID testing and vaccination opportunities within schools.