School district to keep mask policy despite protest

To mask or not to mask. For many Wisconsin residents, that’s been the question being pondered after the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s 4-3 ruling March 31 that Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide mask mandate was unconstitutional.

The question of masking requirements at the Northern Ozaukee School District was raised at the April 19 School Board meeting by “concerned parent” Josh Karmisin, the father of two Ozaukee High School students and one Ozaukee  Elementary School student.

Karmisin addressed the board regarding “bringing an end to the mask craziness.”

“I feel the board should have held a special meeting once the governor’s mandate was shut down by the State Supreme Court, not waiting until the third Monday here, the 19th” he said.

“The whole mask idea always has been, and always will be, about control. That’s what it is ... The mandate has ended, therefore we should put an end to this nonsense. And, in my opinion, we should have never gone down this path to begin with.

“At this point, if you fail to act, I will do what I can, even if it means going door-to-door on the streets of Fredonia, to support future candidates that are ready to stand up for our children and see that those who aren’t do not get re-elected.”

Karmisin told the board he felt there were options available for those who disagreed with his calls for eliminating the district’s mask-wearing requirements.

“If staff disagree, they can wear a mask,” he said. “If students disagree, they can were a mask. There’s a virtual option — if people don’t want to be here, they don’t have to.”

Saying it was an issue affecting district personnel, Board President Brent Neis said the matter was slated to be taken up by the board during a scheduled closed session later in the evening.

“We will talk about it,” Neis said. “Thanks, Josh, for coming out and telling us what you think about the masks.”

Ultimately, district masking requirements remained in place.

Said Northern Ozaukee School District Supt. David Karrels of board action coming out of the closed session in a follow-up interview with Ozaukee Press: “With just over five weeks remaining in the school year, we will be continuing our mitigation and cleaning procedures through the end of the school year.”