APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Appleton Area School District says a change is coming to its mask policy.
Last month, the school board approved optional masking for students of all grade levels to start the year.
However, according to the school district, the rapid spread of the new Delta variant is causing them to recommend masks for all.
This also comes as petitions for and against optional masking in the district have been making their way throughout the community. Both petitions have over 500 signatures.
Masks would be required for all students, staff and all visitors while inside district facilities and while on district transportation. Masks outdoors would continue to be optional.
If approved by the school board at their meeting Monday, Aug. 23, these policies would go into effect beginning Aug. 25. If approved, the school board says it will review the policy again at its regular meeting on Oct. 11.
In a statement, the school district wrote:
We will continuously monitor and consider relevant data, conditions of the pandemic, and guidance from health officials to keep our students and staff as safe as possible in our classrooms, schools, programs and facilities. Keeping all students in school, five days a week for in-person learning is essential. Last year, when community rates of COVID-19 were at similar rates, we were able to keep students in school for in-person learning using required face coverings as a key mitigation strategy. Using all of the layers of mitigation tools and strategies that were proven to be effective last year while continuing to keep all students fully in-person gives us the best chance of success for students and staff.
Other districts in the area will be requiring all to wear masks, including Green Bay.
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