River Bend Times

The Davenport, Iowa, superintendent proposed the idea of starting a virtual academy for students before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. 

Superintendent Robert Kobylski had originally introduced to idea to help Keystone Academy, a school for students with behavior issues, the Quad City Times reported. The virtual school would allow open enrollment, which would also mean students from Mid-Cit High School would likely transfer. 

But Gov. Kim Reynolds suggested schools to close until April 12 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and Davenport followed the governor's suggestion. 

Now, he sees the need for the virtual academy greater than it was before, the Quad City Times reported. Kobylski said he expects to hear back from the state "any day now" on approval for a virtual school. 

Kobylski also said he is awaiting guidance from the state on how to proceed with virtual education for special needs students. 

“It’s the right position, but it was not meant for a situation like we’re in right now,” Kobylski told the Quad City Times. “We need some guidance from the state for what we can and cannot do.”

Once approved, online courses can be ready in a manner of days, the Quad City Times reported. Kobylski said he has asked teachers to become certified in Google Classrooms ahead of time in preparation for approval. 

And teachers have already begun reaching out to students to maintain relationships. 

“It’s not a requirement, but it’s definitely something that’s all on our minds,” Linda Smithson, a teacher-librarian at Smart Intermediate school, told Quad City Times. “Almost every teacher I talked to today said they had gotten an email or a message from students. They’re just reaching back out to kids to reassure them.”

But Davenport still has the issues of accessibility, meaning not every student has access to the internet for online education, Kobylski said. 

“That’s not just a Davenport issue,” he told the Quad City Times. “That’s an Iowa issue. That’s a national issue.”

The school district is looking for creative ways to help supply Chromebooks or internet to students in need, he said. For the time being, the district will print out packets for students that don't have access to the internet. 

“That’s a really low-end solution,” Kobylski said. “We’re trying to find some more creative solutions.”

One solution the district is looking at is free internet access to families in need, but Kobylski said he would need to reach out to providers about the idea. In the meantime, he said the district is "very anxious to get to the next level, with actual instruction."