Oshkosh School Board meeting postponed after protesters disrupt it, argument breaks out - WBAY

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OSHKOSH, Wis. (WBAY) - Wednesday night’s meeting of the Oshkosh School Board has been postponed after an argument broke out when community members who were protesting the wearing of face masks by children in school disrupted the meeting.

The meeting began at 6 p.m., and an estimated 20-30 protesters entered the room as it started. A small crowd of people who were in support of a masking policy was already inside, with some holding signs.

The protesters who entered the room as the meeting began were asked to put on a mask by members of the school board, and they refused to do so. Afterwards, a police officer reiterated they needed to wear a mask.

An argument soon broke out between those in the audience, which included people on both sides of the mask policy.

District officials told protesters if they didn’t wear a mask, they wouldn’t hold a meeting.

Members of the school board walked out of the room soon after, and then gathered in the Superintendent’s office.

Community members in the Oshkosh School District and the surrounding area had planned a protest at 5 p.m. outside of the building where the meeting was being held. The protest was being held in regards of having the choice to have students wear a mask during the upcoming school year.

A news release issued ahead of the protest said the parents were concerned board members planned to discuss mandatory face coverings for children in the district.

The 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 didn’t put one on.

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

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

The board’s president, Bob Poeschl, was asked to comment on the situation and initially declined to do so.

Board members left the superintendent’s office after about 30 minutes, and Poeschel then entered the meeting room, where he announced the meeting had been postponed.

Action 2 News was able to speak with Poeschl before he left, who stated he was “disappointed” on how everyone acted.

“I’m not worried about the disruption I’m worried about the message that it sends to our community that if you’re uncomfortable with something like this you can come and disrupt public works that are taking place,” he said, adding, “It will not change that we are having masking requirements in the Oshkosh school district at this point.”

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

The item was not on the agenda for this meeting.

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

“They just got up and left without even hearing us out. I think it’s just ridiculous, and the thing is, we are not going to stop. They had to leave today, they are going to have to leave many times because we are going to be back,” said Oshkosh parent Kristy Walsh.

Although Wednesday’s meeting was called off, officials say they have yet to determine a future date and time.

The building was cleared around 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

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Oshkosh School Board meeting postponed after protesters disrupt it, argument breaks out - WBAY
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