Wauwatosa School Board members approved the district’s proposed School Reopening Framework for the 2020-2021 school year in a 6-1 vote at the Wauwatosa School Board meeting on July 27th.

Before the framework passed, Board member Shawn Rolland moved to table the vote to a later meeting date and was seconded by Board member Michael Meier but lost in a 5-2 vote and the discussion continued. The meeting lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 12:54 a.m. on July 28th with extensive board discussion and public comment.

The framework approved outlines virtual learning and a phase into learning, the two options available to students and their families to choose between.

For virtual learning, students are able to choose between Tosa Connected, a virtual option connecting students with staff from the district, and the Wauwatosa Virtual Academy. Tosa Connected is to be determined as to whether it will be offered to high school students and board members expressed concerns with this uncertainty.

Phase into learning would consist of 3 models of instruction: virtual, hybrid, and classroom learning. The model of instruction would shift from model to model based on standards determined by a medical/public health advisory panel.

The framework indicates that during in-person learning in schools, masks would be required for staff and students and social distancing would be enforced to the extent possible in the school setting.

Within the framework, the earliest possible date for full in-person learning to occur 5 days a week for all students participating in the Phase into Learning option would be September 21st, if metrics meet the standards determined by the medical/public health advisory panel for classroom learning. 

A recording of the meeting can be found on the district’s YouTube channel.