Late last week, Governor Walz announced E.O. 20-82, which authorizes and directs the Commissioner of Education to require school districts and charter schools to provide a safe and effective learning environment for Minnesota’s students during the 2020-21 school year.
In addition, the Walz administration announced the release of an additional $250 million in federal funds to help schools implement safety plans, and provide masks to all staff, teachers, and students. This is on top of the $180 million spent at the end of last school year.
Walz noted, “The plan is not perfect, it is the best plan we can deploy based on lots of planning, real time data, science, and advice from experts on how to identify and combat the virus. COVID-19 does not care about dates, we must use the best data, the best social distancing and spread prevention and the best information to protect our students. This has been one of the most difficult decisions. It’s very complex, ultimately a decision to make as a family, distance learning during COVID-19 is challenging for all.”
The Safe Learning Plan’s goals are to:
- Prioritize safety of students and staff;
- Prioritize in person learning for young and those with the most need;
- Prioritize the differences in potential spread amongst difference age groups;
- Support localized consultation/planning with a specific framework of guideposts, recommendations and direction for local decision makers to consider.
Walz acknowledged that kids learn best in a classroom; hence, the Department of Health and Department of Education coordinated a “localized” plan that is thoughtful and helpful but must include input from local educators and families.
The administration outlined a 5-step process for school districts to determine whether to open in-person, distance learning, or a hybrid model. The initial factor will be to review how many cases per 10,000 population in “county of residence” over a 14-day period. If 0-9 cases: in-person, 20-29 cases: hybrid, and 50+ cases: distance learning.
Experts at the Departments of Health and Education are now partnering with local school districts and charter schools on their individualized plans.
Click here for more details on the Stay Safe MN Safe Learning Plan.
State Revenue Report Suggests Large Deficit Looming
On Friday, Minnesota Management and Budget (“MMB”) released its July revenue update, a monthly report of state tax revenues. As part of the announcement, MMB confirmed the agency’s May prediction of a $2.4 billion budget deficit for the current FY 2020-21 biennium and projected an approximately $4.7 billion shortfall for the FY 22-23 biennium. While Minnesota has approximately $2.1 billion in the state budget reserve account, Legislators will have difficult choices to make when they return in January and begin assembling the biennial budget.
Click here for the full July Revenue Update.
Please reach out to any of the Larkin Hoffman Government Relations team members with any questions.