DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Des Moines Public School District wants to go to all-online learning as COVID-19 cases spike in Polk County.
In an emergency meeting Sunday, the school board voted to allow the district to ask the state for the waiver.
The Iowa Department of Education denied the district’s request back in August when Polk County’s COVID-19 positivity rate was eight percent.
The positivity rate has doubled to 16 percent.
Des Moines high school students will still return to the classroom as part of a hybrid learning plan Tuesday as the district awaits the state's decision.
If the waiver's approved, the Des Moines school district would delay the start of high school in-person learning through at least Thanksgiving.
Elementary and middle school students will move to fully online learning starting November 16.