Decision made by Detroit Lakes School Board in November Prevents Virtual Learning During Wednesday’s ‘Snow Day’

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – While many Lakes Area students participated in virtual learning on Wednesday due to significant snowfall, Detroit Lakes Public School students did not due to a controversial decision made at by the Detroit Lakes School Board in November.

School board members voted down the idea of virtual learning days specifically during snow days 3-2. School District officials had been in favor of virtual learning days which would have had elementary students check-in with staff online, while middle and high school students would participate in video instruction.

According to surveys presented by school administrators, the majority of staff and parents supported up to three virtual learning days per year, however school board members including Tom Seaworth voted down the idea.

Seaworth cited the results of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic as a reason to not move forward with the plan, while administrators argued those results were from long-term virtual learning efforts verse their proposal of short term virtual learning during snow days.

Because the board declined to move forward with virtual learning days on snow days, Detroit Lakes students on Wednesday enjoyed a snow day, while students in other Lakes Area districts were required to “logon”.