Des Moines Schools OK Return to Classes, Delays Key Decision

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Des Moines School board on Monday night set a date for returning to school but put off establishing a coronavirus infection rate that would force the district to revert to online-only instruction.

Des Moines schools, Iowa's largest district with more than 33,000 students, has been the state's only school system that has refused Gov. Kim Reynolds' order that they hold at least half their classes in-person unless they have received a waiver because of high infection rates.

The Department of Education has threatened to deem the district not in compliance, potentially forcing it to extend its school year at a cost of about $1.5 million a day. The board has argued a high prevalence of the coronavirus statewide and in Polk County makes it unsafe to hold in-person classes.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/iowa/articles/2020-09-21/des-moines-schools-ok-return-to-classes-delays-key-decision