36,000 Iowans sign petition to reverse proclamation requiring in-person schooling

Petition objects to in-person classes, lower requirements for substitute teachers

DES MOINES – The Iowa State Education Association said 36,000 Iowans have signed an online petition opposing Governor Kim Reynolds’ requirement that 50% of school instruction be in-person.

“Gov. Reynolds was flat-out wrong with her proclamation,” said Mike Beranek, ISEA President. “Each of Iowa’s school districts have a unique set of circumstances they are dealing with right now, and there has never been a one size fits all approach.”

Beranek called on Reynolds instead to issue a proclamation that places the health and safety of teachers, students and families ahead of politics.

Under Reynold’s July 17 proclamation, schools are required to hold in-person classes for at least half the year. The proclamation also suspended the requirement that substitute teachers have a bachelor’s degree or higher, and it lowered the minimum age for substitute teachers from 21 to 20.