On the last day of special session,  Senate Republicans voted on a resolution to allow school districts to decide the best option for their students this fall. 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.

“Mandates from the Governor should not determine whether or not our kids return to school next year,” said Senator Mike Goggin (R-Red Wing). “Instead, teachers, administrators, school staff, parents, and everyone who will be impacted should be part of the conversation. Local elected officials have a better idea of when or how our schools should safely reopen than the Governor does. We know our children learn and grow best at schools, so it is imperative that our community has a say in this important decision.”

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.