Lang
8/15/20
The ongoing feud between Gov. Kim Reynolds and some state school districts took another turn Friday after the Iowa Department of Education announced that if schools are not holding in-person classes this fall, they won’t be allowed to field sports teams.
The statement from the department reads, “All in-person activities and practices would need to be suspended during the period of 100% remote learning. Offering in-person activities would be incompatible with the goal of mitigating higher rates of virus transmission.”
Many Iowa school districts have announced plans to begin the year on-line as the coronavirus pandemic continues. That goes against a proclamation made by Reynolds last month that declared districts must have at least 50% in-person learning. Students at districts that defy the governor’s ruling would not have their credit recognized by the state.
Earlier this month the Iowa Department of Education denied the Iowa City Community School District’s request to start the school year virtually. The school board voted earlier this month to push back the start of the school year from August 24th to September 8th. A hybrid model being considered would have some students inside classrooms on Mondays and Tuesdays and others on Thursdays and Fridays. The two groups would alternate Wednesdays. The two groups were learn virtually on the days they aren’t inside the classroom.