DAVENPORT, Iowa — As COVID-19 cases escalate across the country, schools in Iowa and several other states have closed. Davenport Community School District Superintendent Robert Kobylski said the district plans to return to in-person classes on Monday, April 13 but might have to push back opening schools depending on what course the pandemic takes.
"The reality of it is that we still have more questions than we have answers,"Dr. Kobylski said.
In a press conference Tuesday, Kobylski said all Davenport schools are being deep cleaned while they are closed and administrators will be working from remotely.
"The cleanliness and sanitation of our buildings is a top priority for us," Kobylski said. "Our custodians will continue working through this outbreak with however long it lasts. Hopefully we will be over the hump in a month," Kobylski said during the press conference.
Dr. Kobylski said parents will be allowed to pick up items students left behind through a drive-up service, but no one will be allowed in the buildings, including administrators.
"Our administrative teams will be working from remote sights so that we aren`t contaminating our buildings," Kobylski said. He is working on announcing pick-up times and locations.
Administrators are working to come up with education plans, but it won't be an e-learning program because too many students won't have internet access. They are working to get internet access to all students for communicative purposes.
"If we have to, we will use the good old fashion way of picking up the telephone and calling people and letting them know what they can do and how they can be helpful to continue the learning of their children," Kobylski said.
Kobylski said teachers will be working on engaging with their students to continue education.
"Over the next three weeks we will be asking our teachers to do some elements of teacher work to engage our students and keep their minds working," Kobylski said.
The superintendent said the district is working to develop plans on the following issues:
- Curriculum similar to summer school so students can continue learning.
- Parking lot hot-spots to allow WiFi connection from parked vehicles.
- Daycare for children who need to be taken care of.
- Compensation for hourly workers.
Similar to during summer break, the district is planning to provide free and reduced lunch to students next week as 64% of students in the district qualify.
Kobylski emphasized all schools are empty and no one is allowed inside at this time. Principals are available to answer questions from parents, students and the public.
The superintendent also said the district is still on-track to end school at the beginning of June but is prepared to stretch an extra week into the summer.