Masks Will Be Optional In Franklin School District Over Summer

FRANKLIN, WI — Masks will be optional for almost everyone during summer programs at Franklin School District this year, regardless of vaccination status, according to a news release.

With this school year coming to a close on Thursday and summer programs starting shortly after on June 17, the district has decided to end its mask mandate for summer programs. After June 17, unvaccinated students will still be encouraged to wear masks but it won't be required, the news release stated.

Students that take the bus will still need to wear a mask on the ride as mandated by federal law. Unvaccinated staff members are also required to wear a mask during summer programs, the news release said.

The new policy applies to the district's numerous summer programs, including summer school and Kids Camp. The move comes after new review of data and is contingent on local positive case rates.

If 3 percent of students and staff in a building test positive for COVID-19 within a two-week timeframe, new policy states all courses will be canceled for the remainder of the summer. Students that come into close contact with a positive case will still be required to quarantine.

If in-person summer school courses do get canceled, students will return to at-home virtual learning for the rest of the summer.