Dec. 8, 2020 10p
(WGTD)---COVID-19 tensions boiled over at Tuesday's meeting of the Kenosha School Board. This time, it just wasn’t members of the public speaking during citizen comments who lost their cool over the district’s decision to go all-virtual last month because of a COVID surge.
Board member Todd Battle tried to cut off Board President Tom Duncan from speaking on the topic. "Point of order," said Battle. "How long do we have to listen to this? You got to talk under president's comments. I'm frankly tired of it," he said.
Said Duncan: "Okay, then please excuse yourself."
Battle stayed and Duncan continued on, informing the public that a special board meeting will be held Jan. 6th just several days ahead of the district's presumed return to the hybrid model that gives students and parents the option of in-person instruction.
Administration is expected to present several options, Duncan said. Those alternatives weren't spelled out.
KUSD began the school year with the hybrid. When cases surged last month, the board, taking the advice of Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit, voted to go all-virtual through the first week in January. Battle was the only board member to vote 'no.'
After the brief verbal altercation Tuesday night, the meeting continued with no additional flare-ups.
Several other board members spoke, including board member Dan Wade. "Wouldn't it be grand if we all worked together for the common good, and that's humanity?" Wade asked rhetorically. Wade had made the point at previous board meetings, but this time the comment took on additional meaning.
About 16 people spoke during the citizen comments portion of the meeting, mostly making the same arguments either for or against virtual learning.
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