Gov. Reynolds: Iowa Schools Will Not Reopen This School Year

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has closed the state's schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

At her daily morning press conference, Reynolds said,

Believe me, I would like nothing more than to stand before you today and announce that Iowa will be open for school in May. But as we look at what the data is telling us now, I can't tell you with certainty based on the Department of Public Health's data that they're providing to the office that early May will be the right time for students, teachers, and staff to gather again in their classrooms. So, therefore, I regret to say that  Iowa schools will not reopen for this school year.

The governor went on to say that schools will still be required to continue learning opportunities for the remainder of the school year.

Governor Reynolds initially recommended the closing of Iowa schools on March 15. On April 2, she ordered schools closed through April 30. At that time, she promised further direction for May 10 days out. She provided that information today, a little early. 13 days before the end of the month.

The school closings also means no spring sports in Iowa schools. More information on the summer sports season will be provided by the Governor's office by June 1.

During her morning press conference, Governor Reynolds announced 191 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state, bringing the total to 2,332. Four more people have died from the virus, raising the total in Iowa to 64.