Okay, the big announcement we’ve all been waiting for: the school reopening plan for September!

Yes, it’s going to be hard for everyone. Yes, it’s going to be expensive. So everyone take a nice deep breath now, and let’s get ready to make that happen as safely as possible for everyone.

Here is the report on the plan from our library legislative lobbyist.

Update from Capitol Hill Associates

Safe Learning Plan announced:   Governor Walz announced Executive Order 20-82, which outlines the framework for the safe reopening of schools this Fall.   The Minnesota Department of Education issued guidance for the plan.    Last Thursday Governor Walz announced a “Safe Learning Plan” that would allow for Minnesota students to return to the classroom in the fall if COVID-19 cases are low in the county their school resides in. The governor’s new plan aims to localize and regionalize the decision-making process for learning models as opposed to the state choosing one option for all public school learners this year.   During the announcement, Governor Walz stated the Department of Education will allow individual school districts to have the final say on the right balance of in-class, distance, or hybrid learning models. However, there will be a regulatory floor of expectations, including masks and social distancing and local districts will be allowed to implement stricter guidelines as they see fit. Students, parents, and staff now have to wait for individual districts to formulate and unveil their specific plans. Schools may dial up their learning model heading into September, but they may have to dial back the learning plan as MDH continues to track COVID-19 cases. Regardless of the learning plan chosen by the district, all schools will have to offer a distance learning option for students who don’t want to return to in-person learning this school year.   The Governor, in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), presented guidelines on the mode of learning a district should have based on COVID cases per 10,000 in a county over a 14-day period. In districts that cover more than one county, data will be taken from the county with the highest number of cases. These guidelines include:   ● If there are less than 9 cases per 10,000, in-person learning is suggested for all students. ● For 10-19 cases per 10,000, in-person learning for elementary students and hybrid learning for secondary students is suggested. ● For 20-29 cases per 10,000, hybrid learning for all students is suggested. ● For 30-49 cases per 10,000, hybrid learning for elementary students and distance learning for secondary students is suggested. ● If there are 50 or more cases per 10,000 over a 14-day period, distance learning is strongly suggested for all students.   To support the safe learning plan, Governor Walz is making an additional $250 million available to schools from the state’s remaining Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) that were a part of the last federal relief bill. Combined with the $180 million already slated from the $140 million in ESSER funds and $38 million in GEER funds, the state is helping to push nearly $430 million to help schools prepare for the 2020-21 school year. However, the newly announced $250 million must be spent by December 31st of this year. Any unspent funds will cancel back to the state to assist with the looming state budget deficit.   The $180 million in ESSER and GEER funds may be spent through 2022 so districts should work to code expenses accordingly. These funds can be used to cover operational costs (ex: cleaning and screen supplies, technology, Wi-Fi, and mental health supports) and support to boost student, family, and educator support (ex: digital training, tutors, translation services, professional development). Page 18 of the MDE’s latest guidance outlines the distribution method for the new $250 million and more detail on allowable uses for these funds.   In addition to data tracking and additional funding, plans were announced for regional support teams, created in partnership with MDE, MDH, and MN’s regional service cooperatives. The regional support teams would be structured to promote efficient communication from the school and district level to the state level in the event of a confirmed case of COVID in a school building. The teams will comprise rapid response staff, health consultants and testing event planners. If a case is detected, this team would allow for service cooperatives to work with local health officials while the superintendent focuses on the needs of the school and community. When a case of COVID is detected in a school, whether that case is from a student or adult, students will have access to testing.   Educators will have one saliva test ready for them in the event a student is suspected to have COVID. Additionally, plans have also been put in place for a testing event, which may be warranted by a large outbreak. The Governor emphasized that safety practices will look different in varying communities around the state, with smaller communities with fewer COVID cases taking a less stringent approach than counties with more outbreaks. The plan seeks to increase schools’ readiness to implement mitigation strategies, with the goal of ultimately less-restrictive scenarios. However, if there is a spike in a specific community, districts’ final decisions will need to be made in consultation with the MDE.   There are many questions and more answers and guidance will roll-out as schools work through August to solidify plans for the start of the school year. We will do our best to keep you updated as more information is made available. Sam Walseth, Capitol Hill Associates