Sunday, March 15, 2020
Colleagues,
We have had several questions regarding the order issued today from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) prohibiting mass gathering for 50 people or more and the impact on the school closure order. Below is an updated response from the Governor Evers’ office on this topic.
Does the March 16 order from DHS prohibiting mass gatherings for 50 or more people require public or private schools to close immediately?
No. The DHS order issued on March 13 specifically closing public and private schools as of 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 continues to apply. Schools may remain open regardless of the number of pupils and staff present in a school facility until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. At that time, public and private schools must close both for instructional and extracurricular purposes, and may not host mass gatherings of 50 or more people for any purpose.
Sincerely,
Mike Thompson, PhD
Deputy State Superintendent