GOP plans to introduce bill to allow schools to decide when they return to classrooms

ST. PAUL (LEARFIELD) – Republican lawmakers will introduce a special session bill Monday that would allow school districts — not the state — to decide whether students are back in the classroom this fall, continue distance learning, or a combination of the two.

Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) says local officials best know the local COVID situation.

“Remember the Walz Administration was basing their initial policy off a peak two days from now, in the high 20,000’s,” said Kresha. “It’s not even close to that.”

Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says a statewide policy on students’ return to school should be used to the extent possible — but added that “tailoring” could be allowed because “local conditions do differ.”