APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Face masks will continue to be required in Appleton Area schools.
The district board voted Monday night to extend the mandate. It will be revisited at the board’s next meeting on November 22nd.
Just an hour before Appleton school district’s board meeting began, community members in favor of masking gathered outside the district office, to “give thanks” to the school board.
“Primarily we’re really thanking them for passing universal masking in our schools this school year, helping to keep our kids safe, helping to keep COVID numbers low,” said AASD parent and family physician, Beth Menzel.
While those in favor of a mask mandate in Appleton Schools gathered just outside the district office, those against a mandate gathered together at a separate location.
“They have not opened school board meetings to their families, they’ve worked through loopholes saying its accessible to families, but they’ve never let us sit in unison as a community,” said AASD parent Andrea Klitzke.
Klitzke tells FOX 11 the group’s main goal is to support optional masking in school, but the board limiting in-person comment has also become a growing frustration. Which is why they gathered at the Freedom Project Academy in Appleton, to give their comments virtually.
“To me it’s too easy for the board to evade us.”
The District’s mask recommendation does suggest the board review the mask/face covering requirement at the board’s next meeting on Nov. 22.
Menzel tells FOX 11 that’s fair.
“I think it’s prudent to at least be able to continue to re-evaluate what the data shows us. I think we’ve been asking them to follow the data, and that’s exactly what they’re trying to do.”
However, Klitzke finds the date to be problematic.
“I mean I’ve watched this charade for a year and a half now. Even if they do vote to keep masking, or go optional, I should say, it’ll be telling if they actually stick to that and don’t change their mind again.”
Wisconsin Representative, Dave Murphy (R-Greenville) also took part in public comment. He spoke in favor of making masking optional. Murphy’s district represents part of the boundaries within Appleton School District.
In August, the district voted to require face masks for everyone at the start of the school year.
Appleton superintendent Judy Baseman said the current mitigation protocols are working and keeping students in the classroom.
According to the school district’s COVID-19 dashboard, currently 44 students and eight staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 and are in quarantine. That’s less than 1% of the school district.
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