Mobile COVID-19 Testing Proposed For Wauwatosa Schools

WAUKESHA, WI — The Financial Affairs Committee will consider a proposal for a single mobile COVD-19 trailer for the Wauwatosa School District on Tuesday, according to city documents.

The Wauwatosa School District was awarded just over $3 million in funding as part of federal COVID-19 aid and it wants to allocate $17,000 of those funds to rent the mobile trailer, documents said.

The CDC’s Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools recommends a school testing program.

The Wauwatosa testing program currently provides optional on-demand testing for students and staff. However, it’s only available for those who become sick during the school day, documents said.

The district says it’s been trying to find a site for additional testing but says it’s been challenging and that operating a site at a school isn’t a good option because people could be exposed to the virus.

Summit Clinical Labs provides all off-site COVID-19 testing services at no cost, but the district must provide a location for on-site testing, documents said.

The district, with the support of the Health Department, is proposing a rented mobile trailer to serve as a school-based testing site for students, teachers, staff, and families.

The mobile trailer would be located at the east parking lot of the Fisher Building, the district's administration building located at 12121 West North Ave.

The proposal said the district would rent a mobile office trailer equipped with heat and electricity so it can be used in the winter.

“Easily accessible COVID-19 testing is a need in our community, especially in our schools. A negative test result can help a student quickly return to in-person learning and miss less school. A positive test result can ensure that a student moves promptly into isolation and does not transmit the virus to others,” city documents said.