Masks Now Optional In Waukesha Schools: School Board

WAUKESHA, WI—The Waukesha School Board on Wednesday voted 5-4 to eliminate the mask requirement immediately.

The board approved several motions that will impact day-to-day activities for the remainder of the school year and summer school through the month of July as related to COVID-19 mitigation.

These changes are effective immediately and include the following:

• Temperature Checks - The Board of Education approved the elimination of temperature checks for students and staff as they arrive for their school day.
• Face Coverings/Masks - The Board of Education voted that masks will no longer be mandatory, but optional for all students, staff, and all other persons on all School District of Waukesha properties and applies to all SDW functions, activities, athletics, and all modes of student transportation.

• Athletics - When traveling, the host school expectations must be followed along with WIAA expectations for the tournament series.
• Transportation - Due to federal regulations, face masks must still be worn on all school buses.

• Bubblers and Field Trips - The Board of Education voted to reopen bubblers/water fountains and to allow field trips this spring and summer.

• Recess - The Board of Education approved a motion that eliminates any COVID-19 based restrictions on classes of students playing together at recess.

• Principal Discretion - The Board of Education approved that school principals have full discretion regarding physical barriers and the cleaning and quarantine of library books and personal items at their school.

• Attendance Limits - The Board of Education voted to end any attendance limits due to COVID-19 for any upcoming school events.

Before the meeting, a group of people held signs in support of no masks.

In March, Waukesha County did not issue a local mask order after the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' statewide mandate.

On May 4, The Waukesha Board of Education held a special meeting regarding the topic of quarantines. The quarantine protocol change was approved by a 5-4 vote immediately and for the remainder of the school year.

The School District of Waukesha will not quarantine students or staff determined to be a close contact with an person that has tested positive for covid-19, presumed to be positive, or awaiting a test result.