(KNZA)--The Hiawatha School Board, during a special meeting Monday evening, voted to resume on-site learning at the district's three schools Wednesday--one day earlier than planned.

The vote was 6-1, with Board President Tom Simmer casting the lone dissenting vote. Simmer felt the district should remain in remote learning until the end of the year for safety reasons. 

The Board also voted 6-1 to allow all athletic and activity practices to resume Tuesday, with Simmer casting the only " no " vote. 

The district had moved to remote learning November 16 due 

The action came after the Board received an update from local health officials on the number of COVID cases in the the county and district's schools.

Brown County Health Officer Robin Downard said the county is seeing a decrease in cases. 

As of Monday, she said there were 95 active cases in Brown County, with five currently hospitalized.

Simmer, as well as the other board members all said they had received numerous emails and messages from concerned parents and teachers. The emails from parents went both ways - some were for staying remote while others wanted to return to on-site learning.

The district had moved to remote learning November 16 due to an increase in COVID cases and staffing issues.