Des Moines back-to-school questions, answered

Des Moines Public Schools' superintendent and staff were questioned Tuesday night about COVID-19 and the new school year, which starts Aug. 25.

A few highlights from the virtual town hall:

Virtual learning: It's an option for all grade levels except for pre-K classes.

• For K-5, all students can go virtual, if they want to. They can opt in or out after school begins.
• Middle school virtual classes have space available.
• High school: There's a waitlist.

COVID: Exposure letters will be sent to parents and guardians of students who shared classrooms with someone who has tested positive.

• There's no threshold of absences to determine when a class or school might close. (That would involve a decision with state health and education officials.)
• Multiple fully vaccinated staffers recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are currently on leave, Superintendent Thomas Ahart said.

Precautions: Masks and vaccines cannot be mandated for students or staff because of state law.

• An antimicrobial coating is being applied to hard surfaces to help prevent illness.
• Ventilation systems are being extended beyond school times, most running 20 hours a day.
• A mask-wearing incentive program is currently being vetted by the school's legal team.

The meeting was recorded and can be watched, here.