Fremont District 79 Adopts Adaptive Pause

MUNDELEIN, IL — Fears over protests regarding mask mandates disrupting in-person learning led Fremont School District 79 to adopt an adaptive pause, school officials said Monday.

Full remote learning took effect for all students in the school district on Monday and will remain until further notice, according to a statement on District 79's website.

School officials made the decision after receiving several reports of protests and demonstrations planned that included "intentions to confront and/or interact directly with students," according to the statement.

"These protests would create a substantial disruption to the learning environment and would negatively impact our ability to deliver education to our students," according to the statement from District 79.

School officials urged parents to work with them to make sure schools "remain welcoming and safe environments for all students to learn regardless of personal masking viewpoints."

"Our schools cannot become battle grounds for differing adult opinions," according to the statement.

The unrest comes following a ruling by a downstate Illinois judge in favor of a temporary restraining order, essentially allowing schools to lift their mask mandates. An appellate court is expected to decide later this week on whether to overturn the decision.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's mandate regarding masks in schools remains in effect through March 6.