OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) — The Oshkosh school district has extended its face coverings requirement for students and staff through December 3rd.
The requirement was set to end on Friday.
The decision was made in order to continue in-person learning amid an ongoing “very high” level of COVID-19 cases, according to the district.
“We remain committed to providing in-person instruction for our students for the 2021-22 school year in a healthy and safe environment,” district superintendent Bryan Davis said in a news release. “While we continue to see COVID cases impacting our school communities, we have been able to keep all schools open with in-person learning by focusing on our mitigation measures and using our onsite testing process.”
While no there is no indication about optional masking after Dec. 3, the district says it is “cautiously optimistic” about modifying the requirement in the future. The decision, they say, will be partially based on a continued downward trend in new coronavirus cases and vaccination availability for students.
Require masks has been criticized by some in the district. In August, parents disrupted a school board meeting by refusing to wear masks when ordered to do so. The meeting was postponed and held virtually the following week.
The disruption gained national attention when it was mentioned in a National School Boards Association letter asking for federal law enforcement protection.
