Wausau School District. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU-WAOW) – A new petition calls for the Wausau School Board to require masks when the new school year begins. The current policy, enacted in May, is that masks are optional for students and staff.
The petition included some 200 signatures after it was created last week.
Current recommendations from state health and education officials call for everyone to wear masks in school, regardless of vaccination status. But the final decision is up to local school boards; there are no state mandates in effect.
“Administration recommended to the board that we continue with that policy.” Wausau School Board’s President Pat McKee told WAOW-TV, “To create as normal of a year as we can for the kids given everything they’ve been through. ”
The reason for the petition’s creation is a concern for children’s safety. Those 11 and younger are still not eligible for the vaccine, and petitioners worry that no masks could mean more cases.
McKee says he is aware that this is a contentious issue. “These are very tough decisions.” McKee said, “There are viewpoints across the board and at the end of the day, none of the viewpoints are wrong.”
McKee says the school district will be monitoring COVID cases within their district, and the decision will be reevaluated as needed.
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