BROOKFIELD, Wis. — The Elmbrook School District will reopen five days a week to in-person learning. The decision came after three and a half hours of discussions by school board members.
Along with returning to in-person learning, the board also made a decision on requiring students to wear masks. However, not everyone liked that idea.
“Six-foot distance and wearing masks are pagan rituals of satanic worshipers,” said parent Heidi Anderson. “My kids are Christian they are not subject to wearing masks.”
Some were warier of opening for in-person instruction right away.
“I want my kids to have five days a week learning as long as possible. If we rush to reopen we will have to close,” said parent Danny Thomas.
While the communities of Elm Grove and Brookfield voiced their opinions, the school board decided between full in-person learning, a fully virtual model or a longer hybrid of the two.
“There is no perfect solution. People are going to get sick. They are going to spread it,” said Glen Allgaier, a member of the Elmbrook School Board.
The school board had been pushing for an in-person return. Tonight, the Elmbrook School District decided students should return to a five day a week in-person schedule with masks with a soft start for a week to teach students safety protocols.
“This has not been easy,” said Scott Wheeler, president of the Elmbrook School Board. “It’s not often there is a 4-3 split. Really thoughtful deliberation about staff and students but that’s exactly what the board should be concerned with is the staff and students.”
Elmbrook Schools parents have the option to choose between in-person learning or going fully virtual. They say parents will need to decide which one they want by the end of the week.
