(ST. PAUL, MN) – 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.  

Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch) expressed support for the resolution, noting, “We have smart, competent, and wise people amongst our elected school boards and parents.  Every day they make tough decisions for the good of their children. The current situation should be no different. Government is here to provide viable resources for districts who wish to remain closed and parents who are able to keep their children home. Unilateral orders are detrimental and will leave school districts bending to fit the rules, rather than bending to support their families.”

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.

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.

Sen. Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake) attempted to bring a bill with $25 million from the federal CARES funds in grants to schools to the floor. Senate Democrats refused to declare an emergency for the bill and approve 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.