St. Paul, Minnesota — Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Majority Leader Ryan Winkler released the following statements on Governor Walz’s announcement that distance learning will be extended through the end of the school year:
“Minnesota's schoolchildren miss their teachers and they miss their friends. This pandemic has changed so much for so many of us — including what it means to go to school and how we deliver an education,” said Speaker Hortman. “Governor Walz's decision to continue distance learning until the end of the school year is the right call. This decision highlights the need for the Minnesota Legislature to pass legislation immediately to ensure all school employees continue to get paid through the end of the school year. Our teachers and hourly school employees have never been more important to our children and families. They deserve economic security and our support — especially during these difficult times.”
“Continuing distance learning is the right decision, but it makes our work to address Minnesota’s racial disparities in education even more pressing,” said House Majority Leader Winkler. “All Minnesota children deserve a great education — whether that’s in the classroom or in the distance learning reality we find ourselves in now. We will continue looking into how this is affecting our students and how we can bridge the opportunity gap to ensure every student has the chance to succeed.”
The House legislation to provide compensation for hourly school employees, HF 4415, passed out of the House Education Finance Committee on Tuesday and will be heard next in Ways and Means before moving to the House floor.