RIVER FALLS – The River Falls School Board held a special meeting on Aug, 2 to discuss the COVID prevention and mitigation plan for the 2021-22 school year. The plan is called the Wildcat Roadmap and contains plans for whether or not masks will be required, quarantine guidance and more.

Superintendent Jamie Benson presented a slide show to the board and all present community members that pertained to COVID-19, CDC recommendations, parental perspectives and concerns. Benson presented the options the district is considering in terms of mask wearing in the upcoming school year.

Currently the CDC does recommend masks for students and staff in K-12 schools and public health supports these recommendations.

After the presentation, the board gave community members the opportunity to give their feedback and opinions about the mitigation plans which mostly surrounded the use of SCHOOL BOARD

From Page 1

masks. The opinions expressed to the board varied and community members both advocated for wearing masks and spoke out against them.

Board member Lindsey Curtis encouraged people in the community to continue to share their thoughts and opinions over the course of the next few weeks before the school year begins.

“One of the great things about our board is that we really represent a variety of backgrounds and perspectives,” Curtis said. ”I really encourage you all to continue sharing your feedback and your thoughts and perspectives with us.”

The board expressed that the purpose of the special meeting was to hear feedback and refrain from making any specific decisions on this topic. The board also wants to keep children in school as much as possible this upcoming school year and plans to make the best educated decision to do so.

School Board President Stacy Johnson Myers said, “We heard repeatedly many significant stories of how the close contact quarantine was very difficult for many kids and if we can prevent that we are supporting them academically and we are protecting their social emotional wellbeing.”

No official decision was made at the meeting; the meeting was primarily a way for the public to address the board and for the board to discuss the options going forward.

“We intentionally wanted the public to know that we are listening to not only public opinion but we’re listening to the experts,” Benson said. “We wanted to be transparent and allow community members to speak with the board and for the community to hear where the board is currently at.”

The board will be officially deciding whether or not masks will be optional or mandatory at a special board meeting on Monday, Aug 9. The Journal will have a full report.