The school year in Iowa is over.

“As we look at what the data is telling us now, I can’t tell you with certainty based on the Department of Public Health’s data that they’re providing to the office, that early May will be the right time for students, teachers and staff to gather again in their classrooms.  So therefore, I regret to say that Iowa schools will not re-open for this school year.”

Governor Kim Reynolds made the announcement Friday morning (4/17).  This means the graduating class of 2020 will miss out on many things normally associated with one’s senior year of high school.  Ann Lebo, head of the Iowa Department of Education, says it was a tough decision to end the school year.

“But we also know this decision is necessary to ensure the health and safety of those we serve.  This also includes the cancellations of spring sports seasons, adding to the many school activities which have already been lost.”

Those activities include proms, plays and senior days.  Lebo says a decision on whether to have summer sports—baseball and softball—will be made by June 1.