As new COVID-19 cases spike, some schools rethink their plans

This will be a school year like no other. That’s about the only thing certain about it right now.

Many school districts have unveiled their reopening plans for the upcoming school year — in-person learning, distance learning or a hybrid — following the guidance of Gov. Tim Walz’s administration.

But as active COVID-19 cases reach an all-time high in Minnesota, some of these districts are reconsidering their back-to-school plans, switching from hybrid models to distance-learning only, or pushing back semester start dates.

MPR News host Angela Davis spoke with three stakeholders and decision-makers about the start of the school year — its challenges and opportunities.

Guests:

• Luther Heller is the superintendent of Montevideo Public Schools.

• Mauri Friestleben is the principal of North Community High School in Minneapolis.

• Jenny Yang is a member of the Coalition of Asian American Leaders education work group and a mother of a second-grade student in Osseo Area Schools.

Use the audio player above to listen to the program.

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