Des Moines Sun

In response to COVID-19 and the continual spread of the virus, Des Moines is planning major changes to the school year. 

According to the Des Moines Register, Des Moines has decided that it is necessary to close the city’s schools for the rest of the year. 

Tom Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, said that the closure was “inevitable,” especially as the virus continues to ramp up in its spread. 

“I believe that reopening our school doors before the COVID-19 pandemic may have even reached its peak in Polk County is not in the best interest of the health and well-being of this community,” Ahart wrote in a letter. "As Superintendent, I do not believe it is fair for our students, staff and families to be expected to operate in short increments of time with little certainty."

All of the in-person classes will be transitioned to an online, distance-learning format. 

The decision to keep the schools closed for the remainder of the year comes after 614 people tested positive for COVID-19, as of April 3. Of the confirmed cases, there have been 11 deaths, the Iowa Department of Public Health has reported. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) issued an order for the schools in the state to stay closed until the end of April. 

While Reynolds’ order would technically allow for schools to reopen on May 4, Ahart called an extended closure a “no-brainer.”

School board member Dwana Bradley spoke on the decision and said that it was the responsibility of the board to protect the lives of their staff and students as the virus continues to spread. 

Ahart explained that the school district is still trying to select the non-teaching staff that will be furloughed for the time while the schools are closed — which may be up to four months — but that staffers would still get benefits even when not at work. The school district employs roughly 5,000 people

“We're going to attempt to bring them back as soon as possible," Ahart said.