Aug. 26, 2021 10:30p
(WGTD)---The Kenosha School Board voted 5-2 Thursday night to make face masks mandatory for anyone inside a school building.
The vote came after nearly three hours of public comment. The meeting was held virtually after members of the large audience at a meeting Tuesday night refused to socially distance themselves and move into overflow rooms.
Administration had recommended that masks be optional for students 12 and older, and that kids younger than 12 be required to wear them because a vaccine has yet to be approved for younger children.
But as COVID variants begin to surge, the board amended the plan to make masks mandatory for anyone inside a building.
Board members Adams, Robinson, Price, Stevens and Modder voted in favor of the amended plan. Battle and Garcia voted against.
Said Robinson: "I want people to know that the decision that I make today is not about taking away parental rights, but that it's about prevention. Because to me every last life matters in the school district. It would break my heart if any staff, administration, students or parents pass away because of COVID."
Robinson held out hope that the mask mandate could be modified by the end of the calendar year.
Battle, President of the Kenosha Area Business Alliance, said he would've preferred that masks remain optional. "We've gone through summer school. We've got two schools that are in session with very little issue. I understand what everybody is saying about safety but I'm not going to support this," Battle said.
On side notes, 47 new cases of COVID were reported in Kenosha County Thursday.
In addition, schools in the area have canceled at least three high school football games because players have either come down with COVID or have been exposed to someone who has it
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