St. Johns County students who refuse to wear masks on campus may be moved to distance learning

St. Johns County, Fla. — St. Johns County is 19 days away from the start of the school year and we’re hearing more from the superintendent about the district’s mask policy.

Holly Goswami has four kids enrolled in St. Johns County Public Schools.

She heard about the district’s mask policy Wednesday morning and this is what her 17-year-old student told her.

“She said that the girls get punished all the time for wearing shorts that are too short or a mid-drift that’s showing and things like that so if they can enforce those rules why shouldn’t they be able to enforce the mask rule?” she said.

Superintendent Tim Forson said every student and staff member will be required to wear a mask when social distancing isn’t possible.

“They’re required until that child reaches that first classroom that they’re in each day until they have a temperature check,” said Forson.

Forson said there will be some exceptions like when the student is at lunch or if they’re able to social distance.

“Throughout the day when they’re moving, when they’re in the hallway, when there’s a risk of close contact the expectation is that masks are worn,” said Forson.

If a student repeatedly defies the mask policy, the district will act.

“Then we may move that student to the distance learning environment for a period of time. Just ‘cause I’m not going put other employees and other students at risk,” he said.

Forson said it won’t be a code of conduct type of punishment because he doesn’t want to see that on a student’s record.

He said the goal is having consistency across all campuses which is something Holly welcomes.

“I think if everybody is wearing masks, everybody will be safer,” she said.

Cox Media Group