Lincoln High School in Wisconsin Rapids. Image courtesy: Wisconsin Rapids School District/Facebook
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU) — Students, visitors, and staff in Wisconsin Rapids schools will be required to mask up for the remainder of the current school year and through the summer term following a decision from the Board of Education on Monday.
Superintendent Craig Broeren says the decision came after public input which included a petition with more than 800 signatures by those in support of making the masks optional for all, meaning there were many disappointed students after the announcement was made.
“There are certain things that we do or may not do that not everyone will agree with 100% of the time,” he said. “But, we do so with the best of intentions and not the intention to force one kind of viewpoint or another,” he said.
He knows how contentious the issue has become and adds that the decision was not made based on the political beliefs of those making the decision. That includes two doctors- a pediatrician and general practitioner- who have served in consultative roles to the district throughout the current school year.
“They’re not simply reporting on their own personal attitudes and opinions on the topic, but more of a medical opinion. We have also been working closely with Wood County Public Health and Director Sue Kunferman.”
Broeren said district leaders will continue to monitor the situation and a final decision on what the 2021-’22 school year will look like won’t be made at this time. “At that time if we have to [implement] no mitigation strategies, then great. If we have to do some, we want to know what those will be; and if we have to make it the same way we are ending this year, then we’ll want to know that too.”
The last day of instruction for students in Wisconsin Rapids will be June 4th. Graduating Seniors will be done with classes the week before.
Monday’s decision came at the same time as the Wausau School Board voted to continue its mask mandate through the end of the current academic year while making them optional for summer school.
