Senator Weber votes to let schools decide the best option for fall, allocate $25 million for costs of safe reopening

Today Senate Republicans passed a resolution to allow school districts to decide the best option for their students this fall. A bill to provide $25 million in grants to reopen schools was stopped by Senate Democrats refusal to support bringing the bill to the floor. 

“There are many parents who have witnessed a regression in academics of their children and seen their kids miss some great social and learning experiences in the absence of school,” said Senator Bill Weber (R- Luverne). “ We know for a fact that our kids learn better when they are in school. Unfortunately, as a result of the virus and Governor Walz’s potential executive action, Minnesota children might not have the chance to go back to school in the fall, even if it was possible. Today’s resolution would stop Governor Walz from taking some of that executive action and would empower local communities and educators to make those choices for themselves. It would ensure that local communities that have experienced the virus in unique ways can allow their school districts to implement safe and creative ways to bring kids back to school whenever possible.”

 The resolution states that, for the purposes of emergency powers during the COVID pandemic, the Governor cannot make unilateral decisions to open or close schools. School size, transportation needs, special education needs, and technology access will all be different in each district, and this resolution empowers each community to decide what will work best for them this fall. 

Recent studies have argued the benefit of reopening schools safely this fall is important for the overall well-being of our students. The American Association of Pediatrics has said, “The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with the goal of having students physically present in school. The importance of in-person learning is well-documented, and there is already evidence of the negative impacts on children because of school closures in the spring of 2020.” 

Parents have weighed in on the issue as well. Nine out of ten parents surveyed by Education Trust reporting that they were worried about their child falling behind due to COVID-related closures. The Minnesota Department of Education’s survey found 64% of parents want students back in schools this fall.

Menu