Iowa Schools and the Coronavirus

Many of you are receiving questions from parents and community members about how schools are preparing for the potential spread of the coronavirus. To help you navigate local planning and conversations, the following resources are available:

• School-specific talking points and a Frequently Asked Questions document from the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH). More general information about the coronavirus is available on the IDPH website.

• A webinar for school administrators and school nurses is scheduled for March 2, from 1-2:30 p.m. The webinar will be hosted jointly by IDPH and the Iowa Department of Education. Register here. The webinar will be recorded, and a link will be sent to all who register.

The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) recommends districts review appropriate policies on communicable diseases. IASB has provided the following sample policies as reference. The attached samples reflect no changes from those previously issued by IASB. For assistance, contact Siobhan Schneider, IASB Policy/Legal Services Director.

IASB Sample Policy 507.3 – Communicable Diseases – Students 
IASB Sample Policy 403.3 - Communicable Diseases – Employees 
IASB Sample Regulation 403.3R1 - Universal Precautions Regulation

The DE will share more information on this issue as it becomes available. For more information, contact Melissa Walker, DE school health consultant.