DES MOINES, Iowa - Des Moines Public Schools is extending its closure after recommendations from Governor Kim Reynolds. The district says it now plans to reopen two weeks later on April 13th, after initially announcing it was putting classes on hold until March 30th. Sunday, Governor Reynolds recommended that all schools in the state be shut down for four weeks.
DMPS says it is now working on plans for the additional closure time in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. "DMPS will continue to monitor conditions in the community in order to be responsive, and our Coronavirus response team is meeting daily to make sure we have the right supports in place for our students, families and staff,” said said Dr. Tom Ahart, superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools.
The district has also received a waiver so it can start its summer food program to provide meals for students. It says that before that program ramps up, the Food Bank of Iowa and Des Moines Area Religious Council are providing food service at DMPS schools beginning Tuesday and continuing until next Wednesday, March 25. Nearly three-fourths of DMPS students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals.