G-R applies for virtual learning waiver

REINBECK- As COVID-19 cases surge in Iowa, Gladbrook-Reinbeck became the first school district in Grundy County to apply for a virtual learning waiver from the Iowa Department of Education, announcing the move in a letter to parents and community members dated November 10.

The letter cites “a significant increase in the COVID-19 community rate of infection, the impact on healthcare systems as well as G-R’s staff absenteeism rate related to illness” as factors leading to the decision.

The application has received approval from the Iowa Department of Education, and K-6 students moved to virtual learning on Thursday and Friday, with 7-12 grades attending in-person classes, 3-12 grades moving to 100 percent virtual learning from Tuesday, November 17 to Tuesday, November 24 and continuing in-person learning for grades K-2 from November 17 to November 24. Meals will continued to provided during the closure.

G-R Superintendent Erik Smith cited an uptick in staff absenteeism due to COVID as a major deciding factor in the decision, as 30 percent of the elementary staff and 10 percent of the middle school/high school staff was out last Tuesday.

“Obviously, that puts a major burden on a lot of the other people in the building. We were pulling whoever we could to cover, at the elementary, in various capacities,” Smith said. “We didn’t feel like that was going to be a great situation for anybody.”

Although virtual learning has been a divisive topic in Iowa, especially at smaller districts, Smith added that he believes most parents understand the reasoning behind the move.

“For the most part, I do believe people maybe knew it was coming at some point and time. It doesn’t make it any easier, but I just think we’ve tried to be open and communicate,” he said. “I think the numbers speak for themselves with where we’re at with our positivity rates in the county.”

As this issue goes to press, Grundy County has recorded 670 total cases of the virus, and 108 have been reported in the Reinbeck zip code according to the most recent data provided by Grundy County Public Health.