Lexington 2 school officials are trading masks for empty classrooms.

The Cayce-West Columbia area trustees approved an immediate temporary emergency mask requirement last Thursday night for students, employees and visitors.

“We want our students in school and we want them to be actively engaged in their learning,” Superintendent Nicolas Wade said.

“We can only ensure they are engaged when they are physically in our classrooms with their teachers and peers.”

The temporary policy will be effective through Oct. 31.

It was approved by a 5-2 vote at a special called board meeting.

Students, staff and visitors will be required to wear a mask, barring an approved medical exemption, while on district property, on school buses or attending a district-related activity or event.

Anyone without a mask will be provided one.

Last week, the SC Department of Education announced that masks would again be required on school buses.

In just the first three weeks of the school year, more than 2,000 Lexington 2 students tested positive or are in quarantine.

That’s nearly a quarter of the district’s total students, and more than 3 times the students from all of last school year.

“Having this temporary measure in place will keep schools in session and reduce the likelihood of classroom, grade level and/or school closures due to quarantine numbers,” Dr. Wade said.

He said he hopes this will help families by not forcing them to adjust work schedules or commitments due to a school’s unexpected move to temporary remote instruction.

4 district schools already have been placed on such temporary instruction due to high numbers of positives and quarantines.

Board members agreed Thursday to discuss the temporary mask measure between now and Oct.31.

This will give the superintendent time to make changes which are affecting school closures.