(Des Moines) Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds at her press conference this morning addressed some news headlines that read some schools will choose to defy the Governor by rejecting the Guidance that they requested.
Reynolds said she acted through the proclamation to provide additional flexibility under the law, including allowing parents to choose remote learning for their children if they believe that is in the best interest for them and their family. But, if school’s move to primarily remote learning without approval, according the law, those days do not count toward instructional time.
Reynolds said Rolling Green School in Urbandale was granted a waiver to return to school remotely for two weeks as their start date was only days after the announcement, allowing them additional time to return to in-person learning. However, their request to continue online learning was not approved. Rolling Green School is a year-round school.
Reynolds said by far the vast majority of Iowa schools already have plans in place that meet the requirement for at least 50-percent in-person instruction. There are only a few schools requesting waivers to return by remote learning and she said they are actively working with those schools.
Reynolds said in the months since the pandemic began, they have learned a lot about COVID-19; about how the virus is transmitted and what to do to effectively mitigate the spread. She said Iowans must do everything we can to defend against it, stay home when you are sick, wear a face covering in public, wash your hands often and social distance.
