Senator Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Walz’s announcement that school districts can begin reopening for elementary-aged students on January 18.

“The governor’s decision to finally allow local school boards to decide if elementary-aged students can resume in-person learning is long overdue, but I am glad he has finally accepted that it can be done safely. That is great news.

“That said, I still have serious concerns. His approach has not been rooted in science or data; the evidence is substantial that schools can reopen without posing any significant health risk. In fact, every day that students remain in distance learning causes more and more damage. Grades are plummeting. Development is in freefall. UNICEF has warned of a ‘lost generation’ of students. Students should be back in classrooms right now. Parents are so distraught I have even had some ask if they have standing to file a lawsuit against the governor. They are desperate.

“Local school boards know how to educate their students safely; they should be the ones making these decisions about all grade levels. Blanket approaches rarely work in education. This is no different. I am glad the governor is allowing districts to move toward in-person learning again for young learners, but we can — and must — do better.”