Teachers Union And District Sue State Over In-Person School Requirements

IOWA CITY, Iowa - A new lawsuit shows the deep divide between the state and some educators

The state’s largest teachers union and the Iowa City Community School District filed the suit Wednesday declaring local school districts - not the Governor - have the authority to make local decisions affecting the health and safety of their schools.

The Iowa State Education Association claims Governor Kim Reynolds exceeded her authority in requiring 50 percent of classes to be in-person.

Education Association attorney Jay Hammond says the governor is misrepresenting a law passed by the legislature in June dealing with schools operations.

Governor Kim Reynolds and the Department of Education have cited the word "primarily" in the law to mean at least 50 percent.

Hammond says the lawsuit is not about closing schools, and is not seeking to have courts determine when schools should be open.

A number of school districts have chosen to violate the state's requirements for in-person classes, including Des Moines and Iowa City, which both plan to start school completely online.

The lawsuit from the teachers union and the Iowa City district was filed in Johnson County.


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