(Johnston) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced today all Iowa School districts would stay closed for the remainder of the regular school year.
Governor Reynolds first recommended closing schools on March 15, followed by a second announcement of school closures through April 30, and the districts were required to inform the state of their intent to provide students with continuous learning opportunities. All of Iowa’s 327 public school districts, as well as 179 nonpublic schools, currently offer continuous learning through one of the approved continuous learning options
During her daily briefing today, the Governor announced schools would stay closed for the rest of the school year.
The Governor says school districts will be required to provide continuous learning opportunities for their students until the end of the regular school year. In Addition to that, instructional time requirements will be waived for the remainder of the 2019/2020 academic year for all schools providing continuous learning opportunities.
Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo says closing schools until the end of the year is not an easy decision and understands the challenges this creates.
Lebo says the announcement also includes the cancellations of all spring sports seasons, adding to the many school activities already lost. Lebo says Iowa schools are essential to their respected communities, and more information will be provided by June 1, in regards to summer sports activities and when other school-sponsored activities can resume.
Lebo adds before school districts return to face-to-face learning, school administrators will need to design and submit a return to learning plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1, outlining ways they will address disruptions to learning as a result of COVID-19. The procedure may include; This could include summer school, enrichment activities or other opportunities to address the needs of learners.
School buildings will remain closed through the end of the school year except for approved meals site locations participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program and those providing temporary emergency childcare.
For more information, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s COVID-19 Guidance and Information web page.
