Outdoor classrooms could help solve the school reopening dilemma

To re-open or not to re-open? The great back-to-school debate currently taking place in communities all across the country pits public health against education.

It’s a difficult dilemma: Should school districts pack kids into classrooms to share germs with each other and vulnerable, older school staff — even as COVID-19 rates continue to spike? Or should they start the fall with another round of at-home online learning? Madison and Milwaukee school boards have opted for the second choice, which means frazzled parents have to miss work and students will swap in-person interactions for staring at a screen all day.

Here’s another option: Hold school outside.