Anoka-Hennepin district to move to distance learning; sports, other activities to continue

Minnesota’s largest school district is moving to distance learning for middle and high school students.

At the same time, Anoka-Hennepin is allowing sports and other activities to continue.

It’s been an eventful couple of weeks for the district. Just last week, the football game between Anoka and Champlin Park had to be canceled because of a COVID-19 investigation.

After Monday night’s vote, and as long as the schedule stands, the team will be back in action at home this Saturday.

There was concern from parents and student athletes that games and activities would be canceled, which led to a packed school board meeting Monday night.

In addition to sports, the board approved to move all middle and high school classes online.

Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases, some are not happy about the move.

"I don’t understand why the public schools can’t figure out how to advocate for our students with the Minnesota health department and have the exact same guidelines that private schools have," one parent said.

To help prepare the students, the district will continue with the hybrid model until Nov. 3. Then, on Nov. 4, students will be learning from home.

The board made the decision based on Minnesota Department of Health guidelines for case numbers in the counties.

MAP: Data for K-12 schools by COVID-19 case rate

As for sports and activities, the board is basing the decision to keep going off the Minnesota State High School League guidance regarding case numbers.