Bloomington Public Schools Will Use Distance Learning

BLOOMINGTON, MN — Bloomington Public Schools are planning to use the distance-learning model to start the school year, but officials say they were initially hoping to use the hybrid model.

"While our hopes and plans were to have students and staff return to school, this difficult decision is based on our goal to prioritize a safe learning environment for students, teachers, staff and families," reads a release from the district.

"It became clear in our work that we could not create a viable district-wide staffing plan for a hybrid model that balanced family preferences with staff health accommodation requests, while ensuring a quality educational experience for each student."

Bloomington Public Schools did not respond to Patch's request for comment.

More than half of American K-12 public school students won't be going back to the classroom so far this school year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to an ongoing survey that looks at thousands of school calendars nationwide.

Districts across the nation have been debating whether to open schools and, if so, how. And parents have been agonizing over whether to send their kids if and when schools do open.

School districts in the Twin Cities metro have announced their "education model" decision for this fall, and most have chosen the hybrid model.