Students in the St. Paul Public Schools district will soon have the option to enroll in temporary online learning without transferring to a different school. This initiative takes effect on January 22, 2024, when all 69 schools in the district will close for two days to allow teachers to prepare an online curriculum.
This new online learning option differs from the existing SPPS Online School. According to the school district’s announcement, students will engage in remote learning with their current teachers and classmates, ensuring continuity during this temporary period. In-person attendance remains available for those who prefer it.
The decision followed an emergency meeting of the St. Paul school board, prompted by rising concerns over student attendance linked to increased federal immigration enforcement. Last week, the board had already allowed students to request enrollment in the district’s online school if they felt unsafe attending classes. The board has also called for the departure of ICE agents from the state.
Board’s Commitment to Stability
During the emergency meeting, which concluded with a 5-1 vote, School Board Superintendent Stacie Stanley was authorized to finalize an agreement with the St. Paul Federation of Educators regarding the online option. Stanley emphasized the board’s goal: to minimize disruption for students. “We are trying to create as much stability as possible,” she stated.
Following a lengthy negotiation session, which included three board members, officials expressed they were not at liberty to discuss all specifics, such as associated costs. Nonetheless, Stanley mentioned that the negotiations had not altered the service model, possibly enhancing it instead.
Board member Jim Vue cast the only dissenting vote, citing concerns over the lack of transparency regarding the agreement’s details and potential costs to the district. “I don’t know what this is going to cost the district,” Vue remarked.
Expanded E-Learning Options
The agreement marks a significant expansion beyond the previous online learning options that were introduced last week. It allows for e-learning at all schools district-wide without necessitating a transfer, a move aimed at accommodating those who may be hesitant to attend in person due to safety concerns.
Further specifics regarding the online learning framework were not disclosed during the board meeting. Both Stanley and Uriah Ward, the school board chair, indicated that additional information would be shared once the agreement was finalized.
Schools will also be closed on January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. More details about the temporary online learning option can be found on the district’s website, SPPS.org.
Similar initiatives are being implemented in neighboring districts. The Minneapolis Public Schools plan to offer online learning options until at least February 12, 2024, while the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196 has been providing online access for approximately four weeks upon request, although it has not formalized an online school structure.
As the situation develops, the St. Paul Public Schools district aims to balance educational access with student safety during these challenging times.
