St. Cloud Sun

The rate of COVID-19 infections in Stearns County, Minnesota has increased rapidly enough for the Minnesota Department of Education to recommend that middle and high schools in the county shut down and transition to distance learning.

The county reported an average of 34.75 cases per 10,000 residents between Sept. 13 and 26, according to the SC Times. 

The St. Cloud School District used that data to justify a transition for students in grades six through 12 to distance learning beginning Monday, Oct. 19. 

Other recommendations for which learning model to use – in-person, hybrid or distance – are based on where the virus may be spreading.

Albany Area Schools, Rocori and Sartell St. Stephen plan to wait another week to see if the upward trend in cases continues. They will then reevaluate their learning models. They are hoping that since they are a bit more removed from the metro area they will have less restrictions than the St. Cloud district.

Albany Pre-K and elementary students are currently attending in-person classes. Middle and high schoolers are participating in a hybrid model where students are split into two groups and attend classes on alternating days.

Rocori Superintendent Brad Kelvington said there will be no change in learning models through Friday, Oct. 16. Rocori High School was one of 11 Minnesota schools reported to have five or more cases of COVID-19 among staff or students during a two-week period. High school and middle school continue to participate in a hybrid model while elementary schoolers meet in person.

Sartell St. Stephen transitioned third through fifth grades to a hybrid model Oct. 12. They also are watching the case rate and hope to announce decisions regarding learning model changes at least 10 days in advance.