Hunter
07/30/20
Governor Kim Reynolds released new guidance on the opening of schools in the state, saying that schools would have to see a coronavirus positivity rate of at least 15 percent in their county before they could request a move to fully online learning.
In a press conference Thursday, the governor outlined four phases of response to rising transmission levels. Phase 1 is none to five percent positivity rate, where schools should continue to have on-site learning. Phase 2, with a 6-14% positivity rate would still be encouraged to continue in-class learning, with hybrid learning as necessary. The Phase 3 scenario, with substantial controlled community transmission of 15-20%, schools should follow hybrid learning plans, and can make a request to the Department of Education to move to remote learning for up to 14 days. Phase 4, with “substantial uncontrolled community transmission” of over 20%, schools can request remote learning for up to 14 days.
Reynolds is pushing the return to the schools, citing research that shows schoolchildren are less likely to contract COVID-19.
Meanwhile, the Iowa Department of Education says it will rule next week on appeals filed by at least two districts opposed to fully opening schools to in-person classes when the new school year begins in the coming weeks.
Iowa City is among the school districts who plan to request a waiver to the governor’s 50% proclamation for in-school learning, but the state hasn’t yet released the qualifiers for that waiver.
More information is planned to be released next week.