Local superintendents were among more than 150 education leaders at the Iowa Capitol on Thursday, February 2nd united in their vocation and in their request for Iowa legislators to attend to the needs of the state’s students.
“Superintendents and AEA staff are happy to be in Des Moines today to tell the story of education in the state, in their region, and in their districts,” said Bill Decker, Mississippi Bend AEA Chief Administrator. “Educators are anxious to tell those stories, sharing both celebrations and barriers, but also to listen to legislative ideas on how to partner to improve student opportunities in Iowa's public schools. Finding ways to increase resources, create a funding stream resulting in equity of funding per pupil, and minimizing the impact of transportation cost on the resources available to educate students are examples of issues we can work together in making a difference for children."
"Educators are especially happy to engage legislators in conversation on our top priorities: students and their success,” he added.
Wearing yellow buttons with #keepingthepromise, a reference to the statewide Promise of Iowa public education campaign, representatives from every Area Education Agency, from the School Administrators of Iowa, and from more than 150 public school districts will be speaking to legislators about the demands of public education and the legislators’ support of their work. These educators will be armed with local data that show the potential impacts on their schools and their students if the legislature approves the proposed funding of 1.1% Supplemental State Aid that’s currently being considered.
Local districts scheduled to have representatives in attendance include Bellevue, Central DeWitt, Columbus, Northeast, North Scott, Pleasant Valley, and West Liberty.
“With this united outreach opportunity, we welcome the opportunity to help legislators understand the impact of their decisions on the families and children in their respective districts,” said Brent Siegrist, Executive Director of Iowa Area Education Agencies.
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