Hawkeye Reporter

A new proclamation recently signed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds keeps in place the Public Health Disaster Emergency but prescribes implementation of steps that will promote the state's Return to Learn plan.

This latest official disaster emergency announcement from the governor's office mandates that all school districts, state agencies and local governments begin preparations that will allow students and teachers to safely return to public classrooms this fall.

It directs that schools maintain the flexibility to change their primary method of instruction from in-person to a remote learning format if conditions make it necessary to do so. They must also have the ability to accommodate remote learning as an option, because parents will be allowed to choose that format if they feel it's best for their family.

The new proclamation does not change any other provisions of the current Public Health Disaster Emergency proclamation, which is scheduled to expire at 11:59 p.m. on July 25, unless it's extended or ended earlier by the governor.

An in-depth overview of the new proclamation is included in a release issued by the governor's office. The official proclamation document can be viewed here.