Senate approves bill allowing schools to have more authority

The Minnesota Senate approved a bipartisan bill recently to protect a student's right to an education. The legislation, Senate File 2, authorizes local public schools to make their own decisions regarding how they conduct student instruction during a pandemic or any other emergency.
"This bill removes any governor's authority to close schools or alter school schedules via emergency powers," said Senator Gary Dahms (R-Redwood Falls). "Moving forward, decisions about opening and closing schools will be left in the hands of individual school districts, where local officials have first-hand knowledge of their students' need."
The bill says the governor may not use peacetime emergency powers to issue any order or to authorize the commissioner of education to alter school schedules, curtail school activities, or order schools closed. The governor may "advise and consult with school leaders regarding any action needed for emergency management purposes."
There is mounting evidence, including research from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), that schools pose minimal risk in spreading the coronavirus. There is also agreement about the impact distance learning is having on students.
The American Association of Pediatric has said: "The AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with the 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."
UNICEF has warned of a lost generation and found school closures are ineffective. A new report by UNICEF warned that "the future of an entire generation is at risk", with the threat to children increasing. Studies cited in the report showed "no consistent association between school reopening status and COVID-19 infection rates."
The Sahan Journal found the pandemic has had a "devastating" impact on communities of color in St. Paul Public School.
XBS reported on a U.K. education watchdog that found kids have seriously regressed die to COVID-19.
The bill now awaits action the Minneota House of Representatives