A group of Minneapolis and Saint Paul teachers march and caravan to the Governor’s Residence this afternoon (2pm), calling for continued distance-learning this fall unless disease-prevention measures inside schools dramatically improve. At a rally near the State Capitol yesterday, West Saint Paul teacher Sarah Lund said even though it’s best for students to be in the classroom, it’s still unsafe. “I want to be in school,” she says. “I love my students. But I think that there are so many things that are gonna prevent us from doing a good job under these conditions that we need to continue with distance learning.”
An Education Minnesota survey of its members found only 17 percent support going back to fully in-person classroom instruction this fall. Nearly one-half say distance-learning should be continued. 29 percent prefer hybrid classes.
Governor Tim Walz originally said he’d announce next Monday whether students will be back in the classroom this fall, but has now pushed that announcement back to next Thursday.