By Shereen Siewert
Members of the Wausau School Board on Monday will discuss several key developments including high school graduation ceremony recommendations, according to a public meeting agenda.
Seniors who graduated in 2020 would have already been honored with a traditional ceremony, but those plans were scuttled amid an ongoing coronavirus pandemic that closed schools in March.
Board members, during a special virtual meeting on Monday, will mull three options presented by four area school officials.
In option one, each student walks the stage in their home gym with up to four family members present. Professional photos and videos are among the considerations for in-person graduation, along with social distancing and other precautions.
A second option calls for an outdoor ceremony where each graduate walks the stage at a familiar field. Live speeches are possible for this option, though rehearsal and additional staff are required. Social distancing is “not possible” in this option, according to public documents.
Board members will hear a third option regarding a ski lift graduation experience proposed earlier this month. In this option, schools would partner with Granite Peak, which would request state park approval before moving forward.
Cale Bushman and Brad Peck, representing Wausau East; Jeb Steckbauer, representing Wausau West; and Jennifer Rauscher, representing the Wausau School District, prepared the presentation materials and are recommending the first, indoor option.
An in-person, indoor graduation with precautions aligns with health and safety messaging and rehearsal would not be necessary, the report states.
The meeting, set for 4 p.m. Monday, July 27, will also review opening plans for the fall semester and
All Wausau School District Board of Education Meetings are being conducted as virtual meetings, meaning that multiple board members may participate in the meeting from remote locations through the use of communications technology and that public access to the meeting may be arranged through the use of technology.
Members of the public can attend by calling 1-415-655-0001, then dial the meeting room access code: 133 257 0605, or through the virtual WebEx Meeting:
Should a password be required, it is: 1234 All public participants’ phones, microphones, and chat dialog boxes will be muted or disabled during the meeting.
Members of the public who do not wish to appear in person may view the meeting live by the Wausau Area Access Media on the Government and Education Cable Channel 981. Wausau Area Access Media also lives streams the meeting on https://waam.viebit.com The meeting will also be available on the Wausau Area Access Media Youtube channel a few days after filming. All meeting access information shall also appear in a prominent location on the Wausau School District website.
For those individuals with disabilities, including individuals with visual or hearing impairments, as well as individuals who may have limited access to technology, please contact the Deputy Clerk, Cassie Peck at 715-261-0505 or [email protected]
