How would you like to wear a mask on the bus to and from school?

Or every day in class?

Lexington County students are weary of face masks, their parents say.

Most are eager to get back to school with their friends this summer or when schoo resumes in August.

County school officials welcomed the state’s relaxing mask requirements.

About 75% of district staff members have been vaccinated, said Dawn Kujawa of Lexington 2 in the Cayce and West Columbia area.

“Students who submit DHEC opt-out forms signed by their parents or legal guardians are not required to wear face masks or face coverings except on school buses, which are still required by the federal government,” she said.

Laura McElveen in Distric 5 in Chapin and Irmo said they don’t have an exact percentage because many teachers received vaccine at other places than the distric vaccination clinics.

Staff members are not required to receive the vaccine or report to the district that they received it, she said.

During summer school, masks are strongly encouraged for staff and students.

Parents with children in other areas might check their district’s website.

SC Supt. of Education Molly Spearman said the state is canceling the mask policy for public schools.

Her announcement followed Gov. Henry McMaster’s executive order that parents have the power to decide if their children should be masked in school.

The Department of Education’s statement noted that McMaster lacks the authority to remove the mask requirement in schools.

Only the General Assembly has that power.

But Spearman said the department will rescind the face covering policy even if the governor can’t.