The Minnesota Department of Education is anticipated to soon announce what school will look like for K-12 learners this fall.
The Bemidji Area School board discussed three different models during their meeting Monday: distance learning only, hybrid, or full in-person classes.
The hybrid model may include week-on, week-off, but some board members suggested having older students distance learn only, while K-5 use the empty spaces of the older children’s schools to spread out.
School board member Jeff Haack said, if the direction is distance-learning, it will be different than the experience many had last spring.
While still in the planning process, superintendent Tim Lutz said they are working on plans to provide devices and broadband access to all students.
School board member Sarah Young spoke on how developing three different plans, even without knowing what the state is expecting for school this year, is in the district’s best interest.
School board member John Gonzalez said parents’ and guardians’ feelings on returning children to school this fall may have changed in light of the recent increase in COVID-19 in the area.
View the Bemidji Area School Board meeting in entirety here.
