The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly created many challenges for school districts, including requiring districts to make difficult decisions on whether to have in-person instruction during the pandemic. While making these decisions, district officials have received input from various individuals, including during school board meetings and through written communications. Most districts have also created records related to their protocols and plans on addressing any potential exposure of COVID-19 within the schools. Many districts have now been receiving requests from different individuals and groups for information or records under the Wisconsin Public Records Law related to decisions made in light of COVID-19. This article will highlight aspects of the law for districts to consider when responding to these (or other) requests for records or information.
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