DES MOINES– On Friday, Gov. Kim Reynolds closed all schools in Iowa through the rest of the school year.

“I regret to say that Iowa schools will not reopen this school year,” Reynolds said.

The Marshalltown School Board will discuss details about the extended closure at the regular meeting on Monday.

District officials will continue to work with the Iowa Department of Education to provide voluntary learning for students from home.

Students and staff who have personal belongings in buildings will be able to collect the items. However, the schedule and the manner of the pick ups will be determined.

Reynolds previously closed school districts through April 30 and said she would revisit the reopening two weeks prior to that date.

On Friday, at her daily COVID-19 conference, Reynolds said looking at the data from the Iowa Department of Public Health does not lead her to believe with certainty that early May is the right time for schools to reopen.

“While I would like nothing more than to open up our schools and classrooms in May, we have to prioritize the health and safety of Iowans,” said Gov. Reynolds. “With our students at home, we must rely on continuous learning plans that are in place and prepare school districts for ‘Return to Learn’ in the fall. I greatly appreciate the work of Director Ann Lebo and all our school administrators, educators, and staff during this unprecedented time.”

Even though Reynolds has closed schools, districts will be required to provide continuous learning opportunities during the remaining time of the year.

Iowa Department of Education Director Ann Lebo said closing schools and spring sports seasons through the remainder of the year was not an easy decision.

The governor and Lebo said the state of Iowa will:

• Waive instructional time requirements for the remainder of the year for schools that continue to provide continuous learning.

• Waive the requirement that schools start no earlier than Aug. 23. Schools can make decisions about the length of the next school year.

• Require schools to submit a Return to Learn Plan to the Iowa Department of Education by July 1 outlining ways disruptions to learning will be addressed.