WINONA, Minn. – The Winona School Board voted 6-1 to lift its masking requirement effective Monday. The lone dissenter, Steve Schild, expressed concern that a CoVid resurgence remained a possibility. The revision allows masks as an option. Superintendent Annette Freiheit said she would write a letter to school families to explain that infection and hospitalization rates had improved that vaccine and masks are readily available.
Verbatim
Annette Freiheit, superintendent: “While this decision will be celebrated by many of our families, we acknowledge that it may concern many others. We want to be clear: Families and students who prefer to wear a mask will be supported in their decision. Bullying or harassment will not be tolerated. The pandemic has not ended with the end of the masking requirement, and the requirement could come back in the event of a significant uptick in cases.”