Wisconsin District Administrators’ Decision-Making Approaches during COVID-19 Pandemic-Related School Closures

This study sought to examine the decision-making approaches used by Wisconsin district administrators when addressing COVID-19 pandemic-related school closures. It also examined factors that impacted their decisions close schools or keep them open, stakeholders considered making these decisions, and learning formats platforms during The research thesis was administrators’ COVID health emergency were more classical shared than political they driven primarily well-being of students staff. A survey emailed all administrators. results showed decision predominantly incremental in nature high satisficing, mixed scanning, decision-making. garbage can ranked lowest. from interview questionnaire revealed followed state mandates but relied heavily on input before any mitigation choosing format. They prioritized students, families, staff such decisions. primary taken into consideration decide virtual in-person included guidance authorities, number infection cases, student learning, availability technology, community dynamics. District facing epidemic emergencies need seek stakeholders’ measures, should be driver behind closing going back learning.