How Some WI Schools Have Had to Change Course After COVID-19 Cases

WISCONSIN — Some Wisconsin schools have had to change masking policies or switch to virtual learning after experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recommends that everyone 2 and up should wear a mask in all schools, however the decision to enact mask policies is up to school districts.

Here are the schools that have had to make changes due to COVID-19 outbreaks.

• The Port Washington-Saukville School District would only require masks for students and staff if 3 percent of a district school's population was infected with the virus, CBS-58 reported. Dunwiddie Elementary School in Port Washington had to mask up after 3 percent of its school population tested positive on Sept. 24.
• The Menomonee Falls School Board voted Sept. 27 to give its superintendent authorization to require masks in elementary school classrooms when 10 percent of students test positive for COVID-19, CBS-58 reported. Secondary schools will have to mask up when 10 percent or more of the school population is infected.
• The Mondovi School Board in Buffalo voted to require masks in district schools on Sept. 30, UpNorthNews reported. A 17-year-old Mondovi schools student died after testing positive with COVID-19 in late September.
• Milwaukee Public Schools has a mask mandate, but had to move three schools to virtual learning after they hit their 3 percent case threshold, WISN-12 reported.
• The Northeast Wisconsin School of Innovation in Green Bay had to close and switch to virtual learning for two weeks after 65 students were affected, the Green Bay Press Gazette reported. Masks are required for all Green Bay Area Public School District schools.

Here's a list of school districts that will and won't require masks:

Districts That Don't Require Masks

• Elmbrook School District.
• New Berlin School District.
• Health officials urged the Oak Creek School District to adopt a masking policy, while the school district doesn't require them.
• Hudson Schools will require masks if cases reach a certain threshold among students and staff.
• Muskego-Norway Schools.
• Menomonee Falls Schools will require masks in elementary school classrooms if they reach a 10 percent infection rate.
• The Hamilton School District in Sussex.
• The School District of Waukesha.

Districts That Do Require Masks

• Milwaukee Public Schools.
• Greenfield School District.
• Green Bay Area Public School District.
• Madison Metropolitan School District.
• Shorewood School District.
• Whitefish Bay School District.
• Fox Point-Bayside District.
• Franklin School District will require masks for sixth grade and below.
• Greendale Schools will require masks for its elementary school students, but recommended them for middle and high school students.

Face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as getting vaccinated for COVID-19, frequent hand-washing and physical distancing, can help slow the spread of the virus, the Mayo Clinic said.

See Also:

• Parent Sues Waukesha Schools Over COVID-19, North WI PAC Funds It
  
• Here Are Wisconsin Schools That Have Updated Masking Policies
• Oak Creek Health Officials Urge Masks For OC Schools In Letter