APPLETON, Wis. (NBC 26) -- There are dozens of school districts across the state seeing protesters advocating for education policy decisions.
Protesters have taken to the streets of Appleton, where the area school district is set to hold a meeting that could decide if masks are required this fall. Families on both sides of the masking debate are in attendance. pic.twitter.com/jUmqUIdClL
— Ben Bokun (@ben_bokun) August 23, 2021
"You want them to grow up in a better world," Appleton parent Emily Tseffos said.
It's a reason why some families pay close attention to their school districts.
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"I feel very compelled to be a part of the solution rather than sitting by and letting somebody else handle it," Tseffos said.
Throughout the pandemic, parents like Tseffos have publicly advocated and even protested for their kid's education.
It's a growing trend local school board members say they're seeing across Northeast Wisconsin.
"This is where I'd argue change is made in a way that you can see almost immediately within your own community," Tseffos said. "So you're working for and working toward a better tomorrow."
On Monday, the Appleton district voted to require masks at the start of the school year; a ruling Tseffos fought for.
In Green Bay, officials say community involvement in school policy discussion seems to be at an all-time high.
"Other issues we've had before never have come down to something quite so critical as 'do we have to close the schools for an extended time or not and what should be the decision-making criteria for that?'" Green Bay school board member Andrew Becker said.
Citing issues like masking and a return to in-person learning, Becker believes the pandemic affected parent involvement.
"It's challenging when I have a lot of people advocating essentially opposite positions on the same issue," he said.
Becker says some current board meetings can get heated with dozens of families in attendance.
"I believe you have the right to yell at me if you want to," he said. "Dialogue's better because we have a better discussion."
Despite polarization, parents say they'll continue to be involved in the decisions of their children's schools.
A few photos from a protest today in downtown Oshkosh. Parents protested the Oshkosh Area School District's mask requirement, which states everyone needs to wear masks inside all district buildings through Oct. 1. Hear from parents and the district superintendent on @NBC26 at 5. pic.twitter.com/Tyucl98gJH
— Kelsey Dickeson (@KelseyDickeson) August 24, 2021
"Knowing that your community is divided because we are experiencing completely different realities, it's really disheartening," Tseffos said. "But all the more reason to continue the work."
