Recent content from Erin Golden
State's school bus drivers say shortage exposes deeper issues
On top of longstanding challenges like pay and irregular hours, they said many drivers have opted out of the field because of COVID-19-related health concerns, more frequent schedule shifts, and other pandemic-related complications.
Many Minnesota schools begin anew, shadowed by COVID
The state's largest district, Anoka-Hennepin, was among the school systems resuming classes. Many, particularly in metro-area schools, are wearing masks because of school district-imposed mask mandates.
Minnesota students brace for uncertainty, hope for normalcy
Across Minnesota, students are leaping — or trudging — into a third school year shaded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lawsuit seeks statewide mask mandate for Minnesota schools
A parents group says Walz should require masks to protect students' rights.
Minnesota student math, reading scores drop in pandemic year
More than 20% of eligible students did not take statewide tests.
Anoka-Hennepin mandates masks for youngest students when COVID-19 spread is high
The mask requirement will be reviewed weekly.
Minn. schools wrestle with mask decisions just weeks before classes start
In patchwork of last-minute decisions, more districts issue mandates.
As Minnesota schools' online options grow, so do complications
Close to 100 public schools are set to open new virtual academies this fall. On that list are programs built over years of careful study and others assembled in a matter of months. A few are still making those decisions, even with the new school year just weeks away.
State recommends masks in schools, but districts can decide
Minnesota officials cited rising COVID-19 case rates and the risk of spread among unvaccinated people in schools.
More Minnesota school board members resign in turbulent year
Record number have resigned in Minnesota this year amid controversies.
More Minnesota schools can continue online option, will make local choices on pandemic precautions
The state will issue guidance, but no new COVID-19 rules for schools.
Family sues over Minnesota corrections officer's death
The relatives of Joseph Gomm say negligence contributed to Gomm's murder.
State budget help too late to head off some school cuts
Legislature raised per-pupil spending, but districts were hurt by enrollment drops.
Minnesota summer school programs see surge in enrollment
With in-person learning and relaxed pandemic rules, the classes could be a preview of fall.
William Bailey, trailblazing businessman and banker, dies at 83
"He shared with me: 'You can tear down walls or barriers one brick at a time — and you're that brick,' " said nephew Marcus Glenn.
Edina's hornet mascot benched amid logo dispute
A long-running copyright dispute went public this month, when Edina announced it would pause the use of the logo after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the man who designed it.
After scoring errors, two teams named champions of Minnesota state robotics championship
Faribault High School and Eagle Ridge Academy will share this year's state title.
Masks will be optional for many Minnesota students taking summer classes
Minnesota students and teachers returning to classrooms for summer school may see one clear shift in pandemic precautions: fewer people wearing masks.
Boom in online programs could reshape Minn. education
From Albert Lea to Bemidji to St. Paul, the number of public school districts and charters racing to build online academies is soaring.
Minnesota graduation rates hold steady in 2020, despite pandemic
About 84% of high school seniors graduated on time.
Scoring error prompts confusion over Minnesota state robotics championship results
Faribault was named the winner but a scoring shake-up could shift the results.
School integration plan awaits Minnesota lawmakers' action, may end up back in court
The case could return to court if no action is taken on a legal settlement.
How the pandemic forever altered education in Minnesota
Academics collided with life challenges, but there were some triumphs — and many see more hope ahead.
With an extra $75 million, Minnesota schools plan for summer classes
The new funds will help expand programs after the school year's disruptions.
Lakeville police: Threat that closed schools was not credible
Lakeville school activities will resume Saturday.
Minnesota schools brace for big budget cuts amid pandemic
Minnesota school districts are preparing to lay off teachers, drop programs and increase class sizes as they begin to feel the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their budgets.
Finalists named for Minnesota Teacher of the Year
The winner will be named at a ceremony later this year.
Students walk out of class to protest racial injustice
The demonstrations came in response to the police shooting of Daunte Wright and concerns about racism in schools.
Minneapolis Public Schools to shift to distance learning for Chauvin verdict
The move comes just as some students are returning to school buildings.
Tom Shinnick, dedicated Brooklyn Center volunteer and community leader, dies at 85
If you spent any time at community events in Brooklyn Center in the last six decades, it's likely you would have run into Tom Shinnick.You'd…
With funding uncertain, schools make plans for expanded summer school
Districts want to make up for pandemic setbacks but worry about funding.
Lakeville police seek help in finding suspect in park assault
A woman in her 40s told police she was assaulted in East Lake Community Park by a man who said he needed help.
Minnesota's new education commissioner says safe, in-person learning remains top goal
New commissioner says system showed ability to adapt quickly.
Minnesota's K-12 social studies review looks to broaden class lessons
Revisions aim to include more voices and have attracted more attention than usual.
Enrollment, funding drops challenge Minn. school budgets
Local districts are set to lose millions of dollars in state aid for the 2021-22 school year — a time when many of those missing students are expected to finally return to classrooms.
Minnesota's public school enrollment drops 2% as parents explore pandemic options
Enrollment is down by 2% statewide, with bigger drops in kindergarten and the other early grades.
Gov. Walz: 'It's time to get our students back in school'
Gov. Tim Walz announced that all Minnesota middle and high schools can opt to bring students back for hybrid or in-person learning as soon as Feb. 22, and all schools should offer it by March 8.
Minn. schools fast-track plans for permanent online learning options
A rising number of Minnesota school districts are planning to make full-time online school a permanent option for thousands of students. Some school leaders are pushing hard to launch their own online schools as soon as this fall.
Teacher shortage hits schools in rural, urban districts across Minnesota
A new report finds that half of licensed teachers in Minnesota are out of the classroom.
Rochester schools chief resigns after plagiarism accusations
The school board voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Michael Muñoz's resignation, effective June 30.
Bloomington schools return to distance learning after COVID-19 outbreak
An outbreak of the virus among transportation staff forced the switch.
Rochester superintendent faces new accusations of plagiarism
Michael Muñoz is under scrutiny over past communications.
Minnesota schools prepare for elementary students' return
It's like the first day of class again, but with real reasons for teachers, staff to have jitters.
Summer school could be an option for more Minn. students this year
Some federal aid may go toward offsetting "learning loss"caused by pandemic hurdles.
Minn. students try to navigate a chaotic pandemic school year
As students struggle with loss, they long for a return to routine. Nearing the halfway mark of the school year, school leaders are wrestling with how to get many of them back in the classroom.
Minnesota schools eager for federal COVID-19 relief aid
As with the last round of stimulus funds, schools are expected to have some flexibility in deciding how to spend the money.
In the pandemic, field trips go virtual for Minnesota students
In classrooms or at home, students have more options for virtual tours and visits.
Minnesota schools announce plans for elementary students' return
Several large school districts plans to reopen elementary schools.
Elementary schools in Minn. can open Jan. 18 with new safety protocols
The state will leave the decision to reopen to local school districts.
Minnesota sticks with its school plans as pressure to reopen grows
Rising spread of COVID-19 and staffing shortages have sent more than half of Minnesota's public districts and charter schools into full-time distance learning. And there's little indication that students could be back to schools anytime soon.
As virus rages, a few Minnesota schools still offer in-person instruction
Just 45 of the state's 500 school districts had full-time in-person classes last week.
Rochester superintendent apologizes after plagiarizing Thanksgiving message to staff
Michael Muñoz lifted passages from several sources in letter to staff.
Last big school districts in Minnesota shift to distance learning
Because of pandemic-related staffing shortages, most doubt a return to classrooms until at least January.
A Minnesota teacher's online request for children's books yields a tale of generosity
Teenage sisters in Woodbury are sharing the gift of books with hundreds of students.
Minnesota schools uncertain about standardized tests amid the pandemic
In-person assessments may resume this spring if the pandemic allows.
Annette Dreier, among first to marry in Minneapolis when same-sex unions legalized, dies at 61
Anyone who worked with Annette Dreier at the Wedge Community Co-op had a good chance of finding themselves chuckling over a reminder to turn in…
Osseo special education staff member wins statewide award
Michelle Dennard is now a nominee for the national Education Support Professional award.
Virus pushes more Minnesota schools to distance learning
A few districts have provided tentative dates for when they hope to bring students back. But many school leaders are telling parents they don't know when distance learning might end.
White Bear Lake schools superintendent gets top honor
Wayne Kazmierczak was recognized for his work on equity and leadership.
COVID-19 has Minnesota schools scrambling for substitute teachers
Surging community spread of COVID-19 is sidelining a staggering number of teachers and school staff — and forcing many districts to shift to distance learning…
Minn. school districts that failed to pass funding measures plan for cuts
Voters in several Minnesota communities rejected their school districts’ requests for additional local funding, prompting some schools to begin planning for major budget cuts. More…
Minnesota schools step up efforts to feed their 'kiddos' amid pandemic
To provide meals to students at school and at home, schools have had to adapt.
Minnesota students cast votes in mock election
The program from the YMCA of the North aimed to demystify the voting process.
COVID-19-positive inmate dies at Stillwater prison
A Stillwater prison inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 died Sunday, becoming the third Minnesota inmate to die after contracting the virus.The 61-year-old man, whose…
Osseo, Rosemount schools plan shift to distance learning
Co-curricular athletics and activities will continue through the end of the fall season in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district.
More Minnesota schools move to distance learning, prompting questions about sports
Activities, sports raise safety concerns
Minnesota schools seek voter-approved funding on crowded ballots
Early voting along with the focus on the presidential election make the outcomes hard to gauge.
Anoka-Hennepin shifts middle, high schools to distance learning
Elementary students in the state's largest school district will remain in a hybrid format after the Nov. 4 change, made amid the rising spread of COVID-19 in the area.
Dan Knuth, Minnesota lawmaker who shaped environmental policies, dies at 75
In his six years serving in the Minnesota Legislature, Dan Knuth's expertise in hydrology and environmental issues proved to be the right background for the…
Pandemic pushes down Minnesota kindergarten enrollment
Enrollment is down amid the pandemic, leaving districts to wonder if students will return.
COVID surge means fewer Minnesota schools meet in-person rules
More than 500 schools reported at least one positive case in the last two weeks, and 24 school buildings had outbreaks with at least five positive cases.
Minnesota keeps top spot among U.S. states for ACT scores
Average score in state has remained steady recently.
Minnesota reports school virus data; 7 schools have outbreaks
The state reports more than 860 cases in schools since August.
Minnesota district rejects guidelines to reopen school, then reconsiders
The Sibley East school district tried to reopen over the objections of state officials, but later reversed course.
