SE Minnesota News

State Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona) says students must come first when decisions are made on restarting school this fall.

Miller responded to messages he received from parents, students, teachers and school administrators from Minnesota regarding the 2020-21 school year. He said it is very important to plan what is best for the children and their education.

“It is critically important to be cautious about the coronavirus, but the number of hospitalizations, ICU beds and deaths in Minnesota continue to decrease from the peaks," Miller, the father of three young students, said in a release. “The state is in a good position to get students back to school safely, if districts choose to do so. And if the situation gets worse, our schools have already proven that they can adapt quickly.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Education's parent survey results, 65% are comfortable in sending their kids to school again and 95% of these parents seek to put their children full-time inside a classroom. Additionally, 54% shared that they had unpleasant experiences with distance learning.

These results are the same with the conversations, phone calls and emails Miller has received from Minnesotans.

The American Association of Pediatrics (AAP) said that if possible, the students must return to their classrooms. 

“The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a 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," it stated in a release. “Lengthy time away from school and associated interruption of supportive services often results in social isolation, making it difficult for schools to identify and address important learning deficits as well as child and adolescent physical or sexual abuse, substance use, depression and suicidal ideation.”

Miller said he is confident that by the end of July, the governor will announce a decision regarding this issue. He also suggested letting local school districts form their own decision about reopening the classrooms to the students.