INDIANOLA, Iowa - One first grade class at an Indianola school begins remote learning Monday after one person tested positive for COVID-19.
The case at Irving Elementary School is the first in Iowa since in-person classes have begun, and was reported four-day into the fall semester.
The school has not said whether the person is a student or teacher. The first grade class of about 24 students must undergo quarantine for two weeks, until August 25th. Online classes for the quarantined classroom will begin Monday.
The positive case comes as some districts, particularly in metro Des Moines, are clashing with the state and Governor Kim Reynolds over a requirement that 50 percent of all classes must be in-person.
The Des Moines, West Des Moines and Waukee districts have also indicated they will start classes online only.
The West Des Moines and Waukee Districts have sent letters to parents stating that state law gives authority for classroom decisions to be made on the local level. Waukee Superintendent Dr. Brad Buck is a former Director of the Iowa Department of Education.
Rolling Green Elementary School in Urbandale is the first to defy the state's in-person requirement, having continued to hold online only classes after its temporary approval to do so expired Friday.
Indianola offers families the choice of either all in-person or all online classes. The state is allowing parents to opt for all remote learning if they're concerned about sending kids to school.