Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Extends School and Business Closures Through April

The Iowa businesses that Governor Kim Reynolds ordered to close last month must remain closed during the month of April.

Schools, by law, will have to make up classes missed AFTER April 12th unless they come up with plans to conduct classes online or by distributing, collecting and grading paper copies of homework.

School districts must submit their plans for virtual learning — or plans for summer school — to the state by April 10th.

Iowa Department of Education director Ann Lebo (LEE-boh) says schools may have different plans for different grade levels.

Lebo says state officials understand that uniform, consistent access to WiFi is a barrier for online classes in some districts.

The governor praised Lebo and others for taking steps to “re-imagine” how schools may function during this difficult time.

Legislative leaders announced this (Thursday) afternoon that the 2020 legislative session would remain suspended through April 30th. Lawmakers in mid-March had suspended the session until April 13. The 20-member Legislative Council will convene sometime next week by telephone or video to conduct some pressing business.