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McMaster urges SC schools to reopen with COVID-19 precautions after Labor Day

State - 7/15/2020

Jul. 15--COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster on Wednesday urged the state's 79 school districts to reopen doors to students in-person after Labor Day, rather than hold classroom instruction online only, despite growing concern that clustering teachers and students together in classrooms will only exacerbate the state's COVID-19 outbreak.

"Try as we might, virtual education is not as good for most children than face to face with an excellent qualified teacher," McMaster said, standing next to Senate President Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee, House Speaker Jay Lucas, R-Darlington, and other legislative leaders.

McMaster cited declines in abuse and neglect cases, often reported by teachers, dangerous isolation for children stuck at home and losses in learning as reasons schools must reopen schools to children.

McMaster called on districts to give parents the choice to send their students to school, or have the students learn virtually.

He also called on schools to open on Sept. 8, the day after Labor day to allow school districts complete re-opening plans.

While McMaster aimed to tamp down fears by echoing what has already been proposed and suggested by the U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, the state's education department has already received at least five proposals from districts as to how they plan to bring students back. Other school boards in the state also are set to formalize plans later this week.

Absent from the press conference was the state's schools chief, Superintendent Molly Spearman.

In a statement sent out during McMaster's news conference, Spearman said decisions about reopening schools must come from local leaders, and parents should have the choice between in-person and virtual instruction for their children.

"We cannot, however, turn a blind eye to the health and safety of our students and staff when the spread of the virus in some of our communities is among the highest in the world," Spearman said.

"School leaders, in consultation with public health experts, are best positioned to determine how in-person operations should be carried out to fit the needs of their local communities. I remain committed to supporting them in this endeavor and will only approve those plans that offer high quality options and keep safety as their top priority."

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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