A group of teachers from Minneapolis and Saint Paul is marching and caravaning to the Governor’s Residence this afternoon, urging Governor Tim Walz *not* to re-open schools to in-person classroom learning at least for the start of the new school year. Nick Faber, president of the Saint Paul Federation of Educators says, “Class sizes are so big, trying to get kids to be able to social distance and reduce the class sizes within some of our buildings is nearly impossible.”
An Education Minnesota survey of teachers union members found only 17 percent support fully in-person classroom instruction this fall. Nearly one-half say distance-learning should be continued. 29 percent prefer hybrid classes. It’s expected Governor Walz will announce his decision next Thursday. Republicans are urging him to let school districts make the call.