School Board candidates in the Appleton Area School District face a primary election Tuesday, and opinions are mixed among candidates on whether or not masks should immediately be made optional at school. Masks are currently required inside Appleton schools.
As school boards around the region, state, and country weigh masks, NBC 26 asked the nine candidates this question by email Thursday:
"If a vote were held today to make masks optional indoors for everyone at Appleton Area Schools, would you vote yes or no?"
Two candidates responded with a direct "yes": Andrea Klitzke and Mike Schinke.
Two more candidates responded with a direct "no": Jason Kolpack and Nick Ross.
Two candidates said they need more information: Jim Bowman and Dave Moscinski.
Two candidates, Deborah Truyman and James Bacon, declined to answer.
Pheng Thao did not respond.
The nine candidates will be narrowed to eight in Tuesday's primary election; then, in April's election, four candidates will win or keep board seats.
The current School Board will weigh the mask requirement at a Thursday meeting, according to the District website.
