Masks required at more Minnesota schools

Minneapolis Public Schools announced that, as of Monday, face coverings will be required for all staff, students and visitors inside all MPS schools and buildings, regardless of an individual’s vaccination status.

"We felt now was time to shift to requiring masks again," said Karen DeVet, the senior operations officer at Minneapolis Public Schools. "Our decision to bring back masks are based on the strong recommendations from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and the Minnesota Department of Health in recent days."

"This is all about safety for our students, we’re really excited to be back in person for our kids, if wearing masks means that we get to stay in person at school, that’s great, we support it," said Greta Callahan, president of the Teacher Chapter of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers.

Callahan said she recently polled union members about masks.

There are 3,500 licensed teachers and 1,500 education support staff in the district, according to the union.

"Overwhelmingly, those who are teaching younger students, especially, want masks required for everyone on-site," Callahan said. "There’s still a majority for our high school students as well."

St. Paul Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard will ask the SPPS Board of Education next week to approve a resolution to require masks for all children at least 2 years of age and older, as well as for staff and visitors.

"We think this is a prudent step, again, with our bottom line keeping students and staff and physically present in our schools," said Kevin Burns, district’s communications director.

Anoka-Hennepin School District, the largest district in the state, posted that masks are recommended but not required indoors. But cloth face coverings or masks are required on buses, due to federal guidelines, according to the district.