091020 304 News
Today Nodland Elementary School moved a second grade class to emergency response virtual learning, after multiple individuals from one classroom either tested positive for COVID-19 or experienced symptoms.
The Sioux City Community School District says it plans to return the class to on-Site Learning on Wednesday, September 23.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds is urging Des Moines school officials to come up with a plan for returning to class that complies with state law. This week, a Polk County judge denied the district's request to keep holding classes online while its lawsuit against the governor and the Iowa Department of Education proceeds.
Des Moines Public Schools is the only district that has not yet implemented a plan that complies with Reynold's rule that at least 50% of classes be held in person.
At a news conference today, Reynolds said online learning is great for families who have the means to make it work. But for those who live in stressed economic conditions, the schools often provide everything.
"From a safe and supporting learning environment, a hot meal, a caring mentor, and critically important mental health services."
When asked again about a possible mask mandate, the governor dismissed the idea saying she trusted Iowans to do the right thing.
The Coronavirus is still spreading in Iowa. The state has reported more than 72 thousand cases, with 576 new cases today, and 19 new deaths.
Woodbury County has had a total of 4,407 cases of COVID-19 and 58 deaths.
The U.S. Drought Monitor gathers data up until 8am each Tuesday. That means the 3 to 6 inches of rain that has fallen in eastern Iowa and other areas since then will not show up in the report until next week.
The monitor lists more than 72 percent of Iowa in at least moderate drought condition.
