Minnesota closes schools for the rest of the academic year

Minnesota schools will remain closed through the end of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tim Walz (D) announced Thursday.

“Today we extended distance learning through the end of the year. As a former teacher, I know how hard this is for students, families, and teachers,” Walz tweeted. “It’s a long road ahead – but I will continue to put the safety and well-being of our families first. #StayHomeMN”

Today we extended distance learning through the end of the year. As a former teacher, I know how hard this is for students, families, and teachers.

It’s a long road ahead – but I will continue to put the safety and well-being of our families first. #StayHomeMN

— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) April 23, 2020

Walz is the latest of several governors to announce the decision to extend the closures for the remainder of the year even as they work to develop plans to gradually reopen closed businesses and institutions in their respective states. Minnesota is the 40^th state to order or recommend the closure of schools for the rest of the academic year, according to a tally from Education Week.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker (R) made a similar announcement for Bay State schools on Tuesday, saying, “It’s the right thing to do considering the facts on the ground at this point. At this point in time there is no authoritative guidance with respect to how to operate schools safely and how to get kids to and from school safely.”