Gov. Reynolds: Go Back To School, It’s Iowa Law

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has come out swinging at schools that do not return to in-person learning, stating that at least half the time must be spent in the classroom according to a report from KCRG. In press conference at the capital, Reynolds stated,

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 legislature unanimously passed a bill requiring in-person learning as the primary mode of education. And that’s what we are working to implement.

The governor was prompted to make this remark after a school in Urbandale said it would go to an online only class model for the 2020/21 school year (source KCRG). In accordance with the law, Reynolds said school days will not be counted as instructional time if they do not follow the 50 percent in-person requirement. While many are divided on in-person classes for the upcoming school year, the Iowa senate passed Senate File 2310 unanimously in June creating this requirement.