COLOMBIA, SC (WIS) – State Superintendent Molly Spearman said on Wednesday at an education committee meeting that, when it comes to COVID-19, statistically speaking, students and staff are safer at school.
“Three percent of the cases were students (and) we are 20 percent of the population,” said Spearman. “You better be at school than going to church, to the supermarket.”
Spearman pointed to the fact that within schools it is easier to regulate rules such as wearing masks and social distance.
“Generally, transmission (of the virus) is happening elsewhere, not at school,” said Spearman. “There may be some cases, but in general it is safe.”
The new CDC guidelines support Spearman’s argument, noting that COVID transmission was 37% less within schools than in the surrounding community.
“We need to manage for the data, the data says it is safe,” she added.
Spearman, who was not always in favor of a total return to personal learning, said he wanted to make sure it was safe before making the call.
“The school is safe,” said Spearman on Wednesday. “It took a while to be sure of that.”
The superintendent added that there is still a lot of fear of the virus in South Carolina communities, but she hopes to regain confidence that all students can return to school.
She also outlined a public education plan with the South Carolina House Forms and Resources Committee, requesting a 2 percent increase in teachers’ salaries, a 5 percent increase in school bus drivers and a nurse in full time at each school.
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