Gov. Kim Reynolds’ order requiring schools to offer at least 50 percent in-person instruction even if a school board decides the spread of COVID-19 in its community makes it unsafe to do so is unconstitutional, according to the attorney for the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). ISEA General Counsel Jay Hammond said during a news […]
Iowa City Community School District
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Gov. Reynolds: School district ‘did exactly what they needed to do’ by moving first-grade class online after positive COVID-19 test
Gov. Kim Reynolds had planned to have the superintendent of the Indianola Community School District speak at her press conference on Tuesday, so he could explain what the district has done since its Irving Elementary School confirmed a case of COVID-19 four days after starting classes, but postponed the superintendent’s appearance to have more time […]
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COVID-19: School districts push back against Gov. Reynolds’ reopening plans; three more deaths reported in Johnson County
Saturday, Aug. 8 marks five months since the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Iowa, and on Friday Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office published an open letter from the governor about the pandemic, in which she said “we’re all working toward the same goal.” “Now is not the time to let our guard down,” Reynolds […]
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State denies Iowa City school district’s request to start all classes online; Iowa’s COVID-19 death toll surpasses 900
On Thursday, the Iowa Department of Education (DOE) rejected a request from the Iowa City Community School District to allow its schools to start the new school year with two weeks of all online instruction. In its application, ICCSD said it was concerned about the health and safety of students and staff if it began […]
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Reynolds warns schools not to switch to all online classes without permission, criticizes COVID-19 ‘scare tactics’ used by media
“I want to be very clear,” Gov. Kim Reynolds near the beginning of her press conference on Tuesday. “Schools that choose not to return to school for at least 50 percent in-person instruction are not defying me, they’re defying the law.” The governor said that if a school moved to all online instruction without first […]
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Gov. Reynolds sharply limits ability of schools to respond to COVID-19
During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds unveiled the standards her administration is imposing on school districts as those districts begin a new school year during the COVID-19 pandemic. School districts are expected to hold on-site classes until their county sees a 14-day rolling average positivity rate of 15 percent, and there is […]
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Johnson County Board of Health approves language for a countywide face mask ordinance
The Johnson County Board of Health unanimously approved the language for a countywide ordinance requiring face coverings in public during its special meeting on Tuesday evening. The board will vote on the ordinance during a special meeting on Monday. After the ordinance is passed, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors can vote to approve it, […]
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United Way holding pop-up events to help people facing challenges due to COVID-19
The United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties will be holding three pop-up events during the last week of July to help people connect with resources that can help them navigate the challenges many are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “United Way will provide our neighbors with connections to financial help, resources, information, and […]
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Gov. Kim Reynolds orders schools to prioritize in-person class, throwing a wrench in some districts’ plans
Gov. Kim Reynolds emphasized the importance of bringing kids back to school in the fall during her press conference Friday morning, shortly before she signed a new public health proclamation that says Iowa schools must prioritize in-person learning. The proclamation comes on the same day Iowa reported its highest single-day increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases. […]
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Face masks, temp checks and a new way of serving lunch: More details about reopening schools in Iowa City
Interim Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Matt Degner and members of the district’s Return to Learn Plan team offered more details on how schools will reopen in the fall, during the ICCSD Board of Directors’ special meeting this week. The biggest decisions regarding reopening, however, have not yet been made. The district will provide […]
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Iowa City schools will require face coverings as part of its reopening plan
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors reviewed options for the district to resume classes in the fall during a special board meeting on Tuesday night. Matt Degner, who is transitioning from assistant superintendent to interim superintendent, provided the board with the current details of the district’s Return to Learn Plan. Degner said […]
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School board will meet with Iowa Freedom Riders to discuss their demands for change in Iowa City schools
The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors will hold a work session on Wednesday with leaders of the Iowa Freedom Riders, dedicated to a discussion of IFR’s demands for changes in Iowa City schools. Some members of the board have already met with IFR representatives, but during its June 23 meeting, the board […]
