Reynolds: Close Iowa schools through April, make education plans

(AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday she is ordering Iowa schools to remain on recess through at least April 30 as part of her efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Keeping schools closed at least through April is needed as Iowa sees more cases of COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, Reynolds said at what has become an almost daily afternoon press conference to release the latest news about the state’s efforts to mitigate the coronavirus spread.

“At this time I am not ordering schools to close for the remainder of the school year,” she said. “As we have with all COVID-19 decisions, we will continue to monitor the situation, assess the measures we have in place and use data to make the right decision at the right time.”

Reynolds said school districts will be required to let state officials know how they plan to continue to provide educational opportunities to students.

Districts may choose a program that uses distributed paper worksheets or online tools giving students credit or they may provide noncredit lessons. Those offering noncredit will be required to make up lost instructional time beyond what has not been waived by the Legislature.

School districts must notify the state of their plans by April 10.

Reynolds announced the plans for schools as she also extended other aspects of a statewide emergency declaration that included business closures. She also extended the time period in which driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and other permits must be renewed, and in which state property taxes must be paid.

As of Thursday afternoon, 614 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Iowa. Eleven people have died from the illness, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Also as of Thursday afternoon, there have been no confirmed positive test results for COVID-19 in Floyd or Chickasaw counties.

Cerro Gordo has 10 cases, Mitchell County two cases, Butler County one case, Bremer County one case; Winneshiek County four cases and Fayette County two cases.