NBC 26 sent open records requests to the five-largest school districts in northeast Wisconsin, seeking any records on communication with their insurance companies over any potential end to the schools' mask mandates.
While the Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du Lac, and Neenah districts did not have such records, Oshkosh Area School District did.
An April email arrived during the first full week after the statewide mask mandate ended. It was apparently in response to a separate district's inquiry, but was included with the Oshkosh Area School District's records.
It included a message from someone identified as a senior risk management consultant, and read in part:
"Failure to follow public health agencies' and officials' advice and guidance can increase the potential liability for claims against the district. Adverse claims and loss experience are significant contributing factors in the premium charged to the district. All efforts should be made to utilize sound risk management best practices in avoiding claims."
A call to the listed author of that message was not returned Friday.
Later in April, an email labeled as coming from an insurance advisor referenced the Oshkosh Area School District's executive director of business services.
The email says in part:
"He was hoping to talk with someone regarding the CDC new recommendation and new removal of mask mandate."
That email came the day after the CDC eased outdoor mask guidance.
The district last month referenced CDC guidance as to the "why" of masking, and plans to watch state and CDC guidance for next school year.
NBC 26 asked to talk with the OASD superintendent; a district representative said the superintendent was not in the office Friday.
Similar requests to speak with the OASD Board president and vice president were unsuccessful.
The CDC recommend mask wearing in schools at least through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Wisconsin's statewide mask mandate ended March 31. The subsequent City of Oshkosh mask mandate did not apply in Oshkosh Area School District facilities. The City's mandate was rescinded in mid-May.
Recently-graduated Liberty Mugerauer thinks the OASD should drop its mask mandate for the fall.
"I actually transferred to Oshkosh West [High School] at the end of my sophomore year, my senior quote was, ‘She didn’t actually really go here,'" Mugerauer said.
She said part of her frustration is with the school’s COVID-19 response; no prom, for example.
But Mark Kainz, PhD, who has a daughter who just finished her sophomore year in the district, would support a continuation of the mask mandate for next school year if that's what the CDC and state health officials recommend.
“I think that they’re not going to be able to please everyone, but I’m very comfortable with the decisions that the school district has made," Kainz said, when asked about the mask requirement's continuation through the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
