MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – At Wednesday night’s Marshfield School District Board meeting, the board voted to require masks from students and staff at Marshfield schools this year.
Last year, students were required to wear masks when in the building for the entire school year but after June 7, the school recommended that people wear masks but didn’t require it.
During the meeting, a motion was made to approve the “back-to-school” startup plan to begin the 2021-22 with every day, in-person learning with required mask-wearing by all students, staff and visitors regardless of vaccination status. The motion carried unanimously, 7-0.
The motion does allow Marshfield Superintendent Dr. Ryan Christianson the ability to change the policy throughout the school year as the COVID-19 situation dissipates or becomes more prevalent.
The highly contentious matter has been sweeping the nation as companies, schools, and even states have mulled the decision of requiring masks and even proof of vaccination.
Last week, the Marshfield Clinic Health System announced it would require all employees to get vaccinated by November 15. The school district isn’t requiring a vaccination but is requiring masks.
Kimberly Niehaus, mother of four Marshfield students, expressed her opposition to the requirement.
“Ninety-nine percent of the people there were against the mask,” she said. “[The board] made up their mind before they got there. They had a Power Point already made up.”
Parents upset about the mandate state the mental health of their children is at risk and some are threatening to pull their kids out of the school system.
As of publication time, the school board president and district office have not responded to requests for comment. OnFocus will update this story as more information becomes available.
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