SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved legislation to ensure hourly school employees continue to get paid through the end of the school year. The legislation provides compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices as a result of COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs.
“Minnesota’s hourly school workers have stepped up amid an unprecedented crisis,” said Rep. Patty Acomb (DFL – Minnetonka), who voted in favor of the bill. “Paraprofessionals, nutrition services staff, child care workers, bus drivers, janitors, and others have never been more important to our students and education system. We need to protect their economic security during these difficult times.”
The bill also addresses school finance formula glitches resulting from the conversion to the distance learning model. The legislation creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers.
The legislation awaits action in the Minnesota Senate.