MPS mask rules; school board votes to follow CDC metric

The Milwaukee Public Schools board debated the district's mask requirements for the upcoming school year.

MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee Public Schools board on Thursday, July 28 debated the district's mask requirements for the upcoming school year.

Board members voted to switch to the CDC's COVID-19 Community Levels metric system.

Instead of relying on transmission rate within the city of Milwaukee, the system focused on three factors – new COVID-19 hospital admissions, the percent of staffed inpatients beds and the total new cases over the past seven days.

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MPS will only require masks when the Community Level is in the "high" category. In other cases, masks will remain optional.

Testing for COVID-19 will be available, at various school sites, through Summit Labs for all students, staff, and families.

Vaccination clinics will be offered, at various school sites, for all students, staff, and families. Cleaning and disinfecting all high-touch areas will occur in classrooms and buildings.