As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its third school year, the debate surrounding mask mandates remains contentious, often overshadowing the health and safety of students. In Wisconsin, parents whose children contracted COVID-19 are pushing back by filing lawsuits against school districts, claiming that officials failed to sufficiently safeguard their children from infection.
Waukesha School District Lawsuit
Recently, parents from the Waukesha School District initiated legal action against the district and its school board after the administration lifted its mask mandate and other COVID-19 safety protocols in May. One of the plaintiffs, Mark Thompson, a father of three, revealed that a classmate of his eldest son attended school in mid-September displaying COVID-19 symptoms for two days before being sent home. This classmate reportedly did not wear a mask on the bus or in the classroom. Shortly after, Thompson’s son began showing symptoms, and soon after, his younger siblings tested positive, resulting in missed school days and extracurricular activities due to quarantine requirements.
Thompson’s attorney highlighted that notifications regarding positive COVID-19 cases among students in his son’s classes were delayed, and the school district had no consistent quarantine or contact tracing measures in place. The lawsuit argues that the district and school board are “knowingly, needlessly, unreasonably and recklessly exposing the public” to the virus by continuing in-person classes without adequate safety measures. Officials from the Waukesha School District have yet to comment on the lawsuit.
Fall Creek School District Complaint
In a separate case, parent Lisa Carter filed a complaint against the Fall Creek School District, located 200 miles from Waukesha. Carter contends that school officials are “recklessly refusing” to implement CDC-recommended safety measures, such as universal masking indoors for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status.
Carter’s complaint states, “By allowing students to return to classrooms with unmasked staff, reinstating extracurricular activities, and permitting unmasked visitors into the schools, FCSD and the board have effectively placed students in a COVID-19 ‘snake pit.’” Carter expressed her concerns to CNN after her son tested positive in late September, following close contact with an infected student who was not wearing a mask. Although her son exhibited no symptoms, she worries about the potential long-term effects of the virus.
“I hope they will start enforcing mask mandates and take responsibility to ensure our kids are safe at school,” Carter stated. “Their website claims they aim to provide a safe learning environment, but with the Delta variant present, it’s crucial they begin implementing masking policies.”
Ongoing Concerns for Student Health
While it is reassuring that both Thompson and Carter’s children have recovered from COVID-19, many other children remain at risk in educational settings. It is imperative that school officials prioritize the health and safety of their students.
For more insights into the importance of safety in schools and related topics, check out other posts on our blog here and learn about resources available for pregnancy and home insemination at Make a Mom. You can also find valuable information regarding fertility services at Hopkins Medicine.
Search Queries:
- COVID-19 safety in schools
- School district lawsuits COVID-19
- Mask mandates in schools
- Parent concerns about COVID-19
- Impact of COVID-19 on students
In summary, Wisconsin parents are taking a stand against school districts they believe have failed to protect their children from COVID-19 infections. Lawsuits have been filed citing inadequate safety measures after mask mandates were lifted, highlighting the ongoing concern over student health and safety amid the pandemic.
Leave a Reply