St. Paul Public Schools intends to invite all students back for full-time, in-person instruction at some point this school year, officials said Tuesday evening.
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Superintendent Joe Gothard said he’s heard from many parents who want middle and high school students learning in-person again.
“This is important for me, as well,” he told the school board.
The district is preparing to take that step but has not yet set a date.
Of the state’s 30 largest school districts, only St. Paul has yet to either return to some level of in-person instruction or announce a date for middle and high school students to return; Minneapolis is the latest, announcing Tuesday that its last students should return April 19.
St. Paul elementary schools have offered full in-person instruction at all grades since Feb. 16. But its middle and high schoolers haven’t been in class at school since the coronavirus pandemic struck in March.
Although secondary students remain in distance learning, their schools began offering on-site support this week. Students spend 2.5 hours one day a week in school with their advisory teacher, getting academic help and socializing with classmates. Twenty-seven percent have opted out.
Assistant superintendent Josh Delich said the plan is to gradually increase the level of on-site activity this spring with a goal of allowing all students to learn at school every day.
Distance learning will remain an option for those who want it.
Gothard said the state’s requirement that secondary students stay 3 to 6 feet away from each other presents a logistical challenge when some classes have up to 40 students.
Classrooms, he said, generally can handle 15 students at 6 feet and 25 students at 3 feet.
“That tells you, wait a minute, this might not work,” he said.
Depending on how many students opt to return to their schools, Gothard said, the district may have to adjust schedules and how they use the spaces in their schools.
Gov. Tim Walz said last week that he “expects” all schools to offer some level of in-person instruction by March 8. But many large school districts will miss that goal.
