(ST. PAUL, MN) – Today Senate Republicans passed a resolution to allow school districts to decide the best option for their students this fall. Additionally, 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.

“Quality public schools are a mainstay of our American way of life, and I want to keep it that way,” said Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City), a former school board member. “We need our kids to be safe, and the best people to make those safety decisions are local school boards and parents. The state’s job in these situations is to make sure they have what they need to make the best decision, not to make it for them.”

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 own survey found 64% of parents want students back in schools this fall.

Senator Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) attempted to bring forward a grant bill for schools from the federal CARES funds. Senate Democrats refused to declare an emergency approval of the bill and appropriate the funds for use in schools immediately. Funds from the bill could be used for personnel and material costs to ensure ongoing student and staff safety and health, and to ensure students receive basic and enriched educational services.