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The start of the school year in many districts came with some fierce, at times hostile, debate over masks.In New Berlin, a sign from a week ago with the letters KKK sparked outrage."Initially, it represents hate for individuals, for groups of people," said Jeanette Nowak of New Berlin Speaks Out.The sign reads "Krislyn Kauses Khaos." Krslyn is a school board member who favors mandatory masks in elementary school.The other words, causes and chaos, the first letter was deliberately changed from the letter "C" to "K.""What was the intention of that sign?" WISN 12 News reporter Hillary Mintz asked a woman who was in the photo but not holding the sign."It was an alliteration. Her name starts with a K. I guess we should have spelled it with a C and this would have never happened," the woman, who did not wish to be identified, said.She agreed to talk to WISN 12 News but did not want her face to be shown because she said she's received threats."We're literally afraid for our safety. This never had anything to do with race. It was all about masks," the woman said.She said the picture was posted in a private parent group, but somehow got shared publicly."Did anyone think the letters KKK might mean something to somebody else?" Mintz asked"We didn't hold the sign up in the meeting. The sign was put away," the woman said.The photo was reportedly taken inside the school cafeteria but was never seen at the actual school board meeting.School Superintendent Joe Garza declined an interview with WISN 12 News but issued a statement:"We were first made aware of the sign in question the day after the School Board meeting, which was held Aug. 23, after the photo appeared on social media. We presume the photo was taken prior to the meeting in our school cafeteria, but I did not personally see the sign at the meeting, nor did any other district administrator, nor did anyone bring it to our attention. Im also not aware of any School Board member having seen the sign at the meeting."We fully understand that the letters KKK elicit emotions of racism, and we want to be clear that the School District of New Berlin does not in any way condone racism. Signs brought to our public meetings are protected by the First Amendment. The District understands its obligations with respect to First Amendment rights and all forms of speech that take place on school grounds, and all instances are handled on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law. Specific to your hypothetical question, if a student wore a questionable shirt that was brought to administrations attention and it was deemed vulgar, offensive, profane, promoted illegal conduct, and/or caused a disruption to the school day, that student would be asked to change their shirt. Similarly, if someone brings a sign that disrupts a public meeting, and it is brought to our attention, that person may be asked to remove the sign."To reiterate, we take our responsibilities seriously with respect to balancing staff, student, and community member rights with maintaining a safe and effective learning environment for our students. But again, to be clear, no administrators were aware of the sign in question until the day after the meeting. "He was allowing it to be OK on school property that this is acceptable behavior, and I felt really sick inside," Nowak said.New Berlin ended up voting to have masks optional.The school board member named on the sign told WiSN 12 News it was "inappropriate and poor judgment."

The start of the school year in many districts came with some fierce, at times hostile, debate over masks.

In New Berlin, a sign from a week ago with the letters KKK sparked outrage.

"Initially, it represents hate for individuals, for groups of people," said Jeanette Nowak of New Berlin Speaks Out.

The sign reads "Krislyn Kauses Khaos." Krslyn is a school board member who favors mandatory masks in elementary school.

The other words, causes and chaos, the first letter was deliberately changed from the letter "C" to "K."

"What was the intention of that sign?" WISN 12 News reporter Hillary Mintz asked a woman who was in the photo but not holding the sign.

"It was an alliteration. Her name starts with a K. I guess we should have spelled it with a C and this would have never happened," the woman, who did not wish to be identified, said.

She agreed to talk to WISN 12 News but did not want her face to be shown because she said she's received threats.

"We're literally afraid for our safety. This never had anything to do with race. It was all about masks," the woman said.

She said the picture was posted in a private parent group, but somehow got shared publicly.

"Did anyone think the letters KKK might mean something to somebody else?" Mintz asked

"We didn't hold the sign up in the meeting. The sign was put away," the woman said.

The photo was reportedly taken inside the school cafeteria but was never seen at the actual school board meeting.

School Superintendent Joe Garza declined an interview with WISN 12 News but issued a statement:

"We were first made aware of the sign in question the day after the School Board meeting, which was held Aug. 23, after the photo appeared on social media. We presume the photo was taken prior to the meeting in our school cafeteria, but I did not personally see the sign at the meeting, nor did any other district administrator, nor did anyone bring it to our attention. Im also not aware of any School Board member having seen the sign at the meeting.

"We fully understand that the letters KKK elicit emotions of racism, and we want to be clear that the School District of New Berlin does not in any way condone racism. Signs brought to our public meetings are protected by the First Amendment. The District understands its obligations with respect to First Amendment rights and all forms of speech that take place on school grounds, and all instances are handled on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law.

Specific to your hypothetical question, if a student wore a questionable shirt that was brought to administrations attention and it was deemed vulgar, offensive, profane, promoted illegal conduct, and/or caused a disruption to the school day, that student would be asked to change their shirt. Similarly, if someone brings a sign that disrupts a public meeting, and it is brought to our attention, that person may be asked to remove the sign.

"To reiterate, we take our responsibilities seriously with respect to balancing staff, student, and community member rights with maintaining a safe and effective learning environment for our students. But again, to be clear, no administrators were aware of the sign in question until the day after the meeting.

"He was allowing it to be OK on school property that this is acceptable behavior, and I felt really sick inside," Nowak said.

New Berlin ended up voting to have masks optional.

The school board member named on the sign told WiSN 12 News it was "inappropriate and poor judgment."

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Sign with 'KKK' on it brought to New Berlin school board meeting - WISN Milwaukee