Wausau School District. MWC file photo.
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The Wausau Board of Education has voted to adopt COVID-19 mitigation strategies for the remainder of the 2021-’22 school year.
The policy involves a four-tiered approach which includes a one-week masking requirement for all secondary students and staff as part of the fourth (highest) level. That would be triggered if the seven-day average of positive tests among students and staff goes above 5%.
Until then, masking will be recommended at levels two and three, and optional at level one.
Level Two response would be triggered at a seven-day positive average of 1.68%. That includes the masking recommendation along with a pause on visitors and non-essential volunteers. All field trips may also be postponed, especially if they occur indoors. Level three action would go into effect after the seven-day positive average creeps above 3.33%. That level includes three feet of distance between all students and teachers in classroom settings and increased time in outdoor learning areas when possible. The schools would also review all large outdoor gatherings using the same process that was applied during the 2020-’21 school year.
Officials noted that all secondary schools are currently at level one.
The original thresholds also included a contact tracing component, which was removed as part of an amendment. The original levels also called for level four responses to be triggered at an average positive test rate of 1.5% over a one-week period, which was also adjusted by an amendment.
As for elementary schools, the board voted to require masks for ten days in classrooms where a student has tested positive.
Monday’s meeting was interrupted a handful of times by outbursts from those in the auditorium. That prompted board President Pat McKee to issue at least two warnings, including one at the 23-minute mark in which he threatened to have the auditorium cleared except for the board and staff. After 30 minutes he issued another last warning, noting that anyone else who disturbed the proceedings would be removed.
One resident did call the board a disgrace after they failed to pass an amendment that would have required students to wear masks indoors at all times. She then announced that she would leave the meeting on her own without having to be forced out.
