Iowa City Today

The debate between in-school and remote learning hit an Iowa City courtroom last week.

On one side is the Iowa City Community School District and the Iowa State Education Association, who support remote learning. On the other side is Gov. Kim Reynolds, who issued a proclamation stating that at least 50% of classes should be held in school.

The school district and teachers union want a Johnson County district judge to block the governor’s proclamation.

Arguments centered on the interpretation of Senate File 2310, which was signed into law this summer. 

At the center of the case is the word "primarily’’ as attorneys on both sides referred to it throughout the hearing in regard to the section of the new law.

The law states, “Unless explicitly authorized in a proclamation of a public health disaster emergency issued by the governor and related to COVID-19, a brick-and-mortar school district or accredited nonpublic school will not take action to provide instruction primarily through remote-only learning opportunities."

Judge Mary Chicchelly told the Iowa City Press Citizen she hopes to make a ruling next week.

"I am not going to shortcut doing the hard work of going through all of the information that's been provided to me and really making an informed and thoughtful ruling on this issue," Chicchelly told the newspaper.