South Iowa News

Gov. Kim Reynolds said the "community context" would be considered when assessing whether school districts qualify for a waiver to hold 50% of core classes in person in areas where the 14-day average positivity rate for the virus is greater than 15%.

Reynolds used Webster County as an example. The 14-day average positivity rate is 22% in the last two weeks, but the outbreak has been mostly contained to the local prison, so she encouraged county officials to make every effort to get Webster County children back in schools, according to the Oskaloosa Herald. 

School districts can face disciplinary action and would have to make up classes if they fail to meet the governor's requirement that specified classes be held in person unless permission is given otherwise.

When asked if districts in hot spots should consider resuming classes online only, Reynolds said that was still under consideration. 

Cardinal Superintendent Joel Pedersen said it is important for educators to see students in-person to assess how they're doing and see if they have unmet needs. 

“There are no perfect answers here," Pedersen said. "There are no solutions that we know are going to work 100%. But we need you to give us grace.”