Minneapolis Edison High School shifts to distance learning due to COVID-19 exposure

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minneapolis Public Schools announced Tuesday that Edison High School will temporarily move to distance learning due to COVID-19 exposure.

According to the district, the school will shift to distance learning from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5. Officials said the decision was made due to a significant number of Edison students being exposed to other students who have tested positive for COVID-19. 

Students will return to in-person classes at the school on Oct. 6.

MPS is working with the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minneapolis Health Department to manage the situation. Officials said that while the number of COVID-positive students was not large, exposure is broad due to students moving from class to class at the high school level. 

FOX 9 asked a spokesperson for Minneapolis Public Schools what metrics the district used to determine when they should move students to distanced learning. That spokesperson said they "can’t really speak to metrics as each case is different."

The spokesperson confirmed the district does not consider the percentage of students infected or exposed to COVID while making decisions about canceling in-school learning.

"In this [Edison High School] situation, the number of cases is not significant. But with seven different classes per day, students move around lots so the number possibly exposed becomes more significant," they said.