Austin Schools Superintendent talks about how Gov. Tim Walz’s decision to have districts work with state officials to determine what learning model will be used this fall

Governor Tim Walz says Minnesota school districts would work with state officials to evaluate local spread of COVID and preparedness, before deciding whether students are back in the classroom this fall, or distance learning continues, or a combination of the two. And Walz says the state will also work with school districts to determine if they need to “dial between” the various learning methods, depending on the progression of COVID in their particular community.  KAUS News spoke with David Krenz, the Superintendent of the Austin School District who stated that whether students in the district are back in the classroom in the fall, or distance learning continues or a combination of the two will be determined by a formula from the state that school districts must use to determine what method to use…

Krenz went on to state that if the district’s formula number allows, they will try to follow the results of a district-wide survey that showed an overwhelming majority of parents, teachers and students in the district want students in the classroom this fall…

Superintendent Krenz stated that school boards for districts around the state cannot “opt out” of the formula, as it is an executive order from the Governor, and he added that the district will put the best possible plan in place to keep students safe….

The governor is also requiring school districts and charter schools give families the option of distance learning, regardless of what learning method those schools are using.