DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa officials will not call schools back into session this year, Gov. Kim Reynolds said Friday.
The state has not reached its peak of positive coronavirus cases yet, and data doesn’t indicate it’s safe to reopen schools, Reynolds said.
“I regret to say that Iowa schools will not reopen for this school year. But school districts will be required to continue to provide continuous learning opportunities for their student until the end of the regular school year,” she said. “Believe me I would like nothing more than to stand before you today and announce that Iowa will be open for school in May.”
Most school districts would have held classes through late May, and some end their year in early June.
The announcement also cancels spring sports activities. State education officials say they will release information on June 1 about whether school-sponsored activities, including summer sports, can resume.
School buildings will remain closed through the end of the school year except for approved meal site locations participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Summer Food Service Program and those providing temporary emergency childcare.
Reynolds said Friday that Iowa had 191 new positive coronavirus cases for a total of 2,332 known cases. Four more people died, increasing deaths to 64. She said 45% of the state’s deaths are residents of long-term care facilities.
Reynolds initially announced school closures on March 15 and then extended the closure through April 30. She said she will sign a new order at the end of April extending the closure through the end of the school year.
She also waived the required date for beginning school in August saying some districts might be able to reopen a few weeks early to evaluate where students are in their education and what they need to catch up.
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