Oshkosh school board meeting postponed after protesters interrupted

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin (WBAY) – The Wednesday night meeting of the Oshkosh School Board has been postponed after a discussion erupted when community members protesting the wearing of children’s face masks at the school interrupted the meeting.

The rally began at 6pm and it is estimated that between 20 and 30 protesters entered the hall as it began. A small crowd of people supporting a masking policy was already inside, with some posters.

School board members asked protesters who entered the room when the meeting began to put on a mask and refused to do so. Then a police officer reiterated that a mask had to be worn.

A discussion soon erupted among the attendees, which included people on both sides of the mask policy.

District officials told protesters that if they did not wear a mask, they would not hold any meeting.

School board members left the room shortly thereafter and met in the superintendent’s office.

Community members in and around the Oshkosh school district had planned a protest at 5 p.m. outside the building where the meeting was being held. The protest was held over the option of having students wear a mask during the next school year.

A press release issued before the protest said parents were concerned about board members who had planned to discuss mandatory district face coverings for children.

Protesters who refused to put on a mask when they entered the room also challenged police when officers asked them to put on a mask, asking them if they would be arrested if they did not put it on.

“I have three clean daughters and older sons and I don’t want to see them wearing a mask at school, and I think it’s a freedom of choice and that’s what it should be. We are losing our freedoms, ”said Joan Gosz, who has three older children in the school district.

However, Richard Plant of Oshkosh replied, “These people are ignorant. We have to protect our children. There is nothing wrong with having a mask on. Doctors wear masks all day.”

Council Chairman Bob Poeschl was asked to comment on the situation and initially refused to do so.

Board members left the superintendent’s office 30 minutes later, and Poeschel entered the meeting room, where he announced that the meeting had been adjourned.

Action 2 News was able to speak with Poeschl before leaving, who stated that he was “disappointed” by how everyone was acting.

“I don’t care about the disruption, I care about the message it sends to our community that if you don’t feel comfortable with something like that you can come and disrupt the public works that are happening,” he said, adding, “It won’t change that. we are having masking requirements in the Oshkosh school district at this time. “

The masking policy was reinstated this past Monday, with the hope that the board would re-evaluate it in 30 days.

The item was not on the agenda of this meeting.

With the start of school a week away, some expect the fight for masking to intensify.

“They got up and left without even listening to us. I think it’s ridiculous and the thing is, we won’t stop. They had to leave today, they will have to leave many times because we will be back, ”said Kristy Walsh, Oskkosh’s father.

Although Wednesday’s meeting was called off, officials say they have not yet determined a future date and time.

The building was cleaned up around 6:45 p.m., Wednesday.

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