St. Paul – Today, Governor Tim Walz announced that schools will be limited in how they can reopen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, a county would need to report fewer than 9 cases of COVID-19 per 10,000 residents over a 14-day period in order for schools in that county to reopen with in-person classes.
“This is an absolute disgrace,” said Rep. Drazkowski. “The Governor’s plan allows for some students in Minnesota to receive quality, in-person instruction while other students are stuck in front of a computer screen. This plan does not benefit our kids. Instead, this plan creates education disparities across the state.”
Under the Governor’s plan, if a county has more than 50 cases of COVID-19 per 10,000 residents, then all schools in that county will be prohibited from offering any in-person classes. Instead, those schools will only offer online distance learning.
“Once again, Governor Walz failed to get input from the people of Minnesota,” said Rep. Drazkowski. “The citizens of our state elected the Minnesota Legislature to represent their interests in state government. However, the Governor has circumvented the interests of the people by totally ignoring state legislators. The lack of unity and absence of collaboration is why Minnesota schools are receiving these ridiculous mandates.”
Additionally, educators and students at schools that will be allowed to offer in-person classes will be required to wear masks.
“The schools of Wabasha, Mazeppa, and St. Charles should not be subject to the convoluted decision making of the Governor,” said Rep. Drazkowski. “Every school district has local, elected leaders that should be making these decisions. The Governor’s decision to insert himself into the educational choices of our children represents authoritarian leadership. The longer we allow Governor Walz to unilaterally make decisions for the entire state without any checks and balances, the more we lose our liberties and freedoms.”
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