By Kim McDarison
The School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Education Thursday approved the return of a mask protocol in all its school buildings effective until at least Oct. 26, when the school board will meet again and possibly revisit its decision.
Although the school board typically meets on a Thursday, the board approved changing the date of its next meeting.
The board voted 4-1 in favor of returning to masks with board member Amy Reynolds casting the lone ‘no’ vote.
The decision to return the district to its former mask policy, which was in effect last school year, came after some 35 speakers approached the podium to address the board, which presided over a full house populated by some 170 members of the community. A sign on the Luther Elementary School door, the building in which the board holds its meetings, noted that the meeting room has a capacity of 170.
During discussion, board members noted that among factors they considered in making their decision was a rise in reported cases of COVID-19 within the district, which was reported within a presentation made by School Superintendent Rob Abbott Thursday at 27, year to date.
A letter received by the board Thursday from the Jefferson County Health Department and written by Jefferson County Public Health Officer Gail Scott, encouraging all schools within the district to return to masking policies, was also cited.
A full story from Fort Atkinson Online reporter Kim McDarison about Thursday’s meeting will be posted at a later time.
Community members gather in the School District of Fort Atkinson Board of Eduction meeting room in advance of Thursday night’s meeting. The board heard 35 members of the public voice their concerns and opinions about students wearing face coverings at school before voting to return to masking protocols which were in place last school year, and will remain in place until at least Oct. 26, when the board may revisit its decision. Kim McDarison photo.
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