SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives approved the COVID-19 response legislation for hourly school workers. The legislation provides compensation for hourly school employees and allows entities that contract with schools to provide services to be reimbursed for paying their employees, for changes in school employment practices as a result of COVID-19 related school closures and the conversion to distance learning programs.
“This pandemic has caused a public health crisis, an economic struggle, and for our schools, a new frontier with the distance learning model, and everyone is doing their best to adapt,” said Rep. Dave Lislegard (DFL – Aurora), who supported the bill. “Our hourly school employees – the dedicated folks who drive buses, prepare meals, and give students an extra hand with reading or math – deserve to be paid during this uncertain situation. The legislation we passed today is one step to help provide economic security for working Minnesotans.”
The bill also addresses school finance formula glitches resulting from the conversion to the distance learning model. The legislation creates and legislatively approves certain waivers of state law regarding assessments, graduation and course requirements, and potential licensure issues faced by prospective and current teachers.
The legislation awaits action in the Minnesota Senate.