The School Board unanimously voted in favor of Superintendent Astein Osei’s Revised Safe Learning Plan, which will have grades 6-12 remain in distance learning, and transition grades 3-5 into hybrid starting Oct. 5. 

Grades 3-12 were originally planned to transition to hybrid Oct. 5. Osei’s Revised Safe Learning Plan was based on continuous feedback from families and staff, as well as a rise in COVID-19 cases for ages 10-14 and 15-19 in Minnesota. 

The Revised Safe Learning Plan also included keeping E-2 in hybrid, offering full-time distance learning as an option for families and the development of an elementary distance learning academy. K-5 will now move to a full day schedule. 

Prior to the meeting, teachers district-wide responded to a survey asking if more time was needed before transiting to the hybrid model. Of the 311 teachers that answered the question, 85.2% voted yes. Of the 214 parents/guardians of K-5 students that were asked the same question, 23.4% voted in favor of needing more time before returning to hybrid Oct. 5. 

A final date for the return to hybrid for grades 6-12 has yet to be finalized.

Echo will continue to update as further plans are announced.