Minnesota Education deputy commissioner to discuss guidance for new school year Thursday

The deputy commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education is expected to join state health officials Thursday to discuss updates and guidance for the new school year beginning in the fall.

The Minnesota Department of Health said MDE Deputy Commissioner Health Mueller will join MDH Commissioner Jan Malcolm and Infectious Disease Division Director Kris Ehresmann in Thursday's daily COVID-19 briefing call.

It will be the first time health or education officials have provided guidance for the next school year as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

State officials have previously said they're planning for three scenarios for the upcoming year:

• Return all students to school buildings following the most current CDC and MDH guidelines.
• Return students to school buildings implementing a hybrid model following the most current CDC and MDH guidelines.
• No students return to school buildings. Implement a distance learning model.

MDE's website also says a decision on which model is in the best interest of students, schools, staff and communities will be made by the week of July 27. 

Thursday's call is scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed live on KSTP.com.