The Manitowoc Public School District Board of Education approved Superintendent Mark Holzman’s recommendation to require all students, staff and visitors to wear masks when inside schools and buildings.
Holzman told families late this afternoon that this update on COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming school year is effective immediately until further notice.
“We know that wearing a mask is not ideal but we also balance the idea that it’s really the only mitigation strategy that we can utilize that will be consistent among students and staff that will likely help us stay open. We’ve seen cases of COVID-19 in both our student, athletes and staff that have come back to school and we just want to do everything we can and we believe that wearing a mask indoors will help support the continuance of in person instruction for the foreseeable future.”
He says this requirement also effects those participating in Girls Volleyball and Swimming.
“We do know that spectators will be required to wear masks indoors however we’ll work out the specific protocols. It’s not feasible for our swimmers to wear a mask and we’ll take a look at what some of the protocols are in place for athletes that are participating, and we’ll make those recommendations based on what other schools in other conferences are doing that require universal masks.”
This will not affect athletes who compete and spectators who watch outdoor sporting events.
The MPSD Superintendent believes that based on the data from healthcare professionals that vaccinations remain a key mitigation measure but doesn’t envision them becoming mandatory.
He adds, “MPSD cares deeply about our students, families and community, and we are committed to do all we can to keep you safe and healthy.”
