DES MOINES, IA (03/11/2015)(readMedia)-- The Davenport Education Association (DEA) applauds the courageous stand taken by the Davenport Community School District's (DCSD) Board of Education and the DCSD Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Arthur Tate to bypass Iowa state law which limits the school district's spending per pupil annually up to $175 per student.

"We know what it means to be given less per pupil spending than other districts in the state," said Rebecca Menard, President of the DEA. "In simple terms it hurts kids, our teachers and members of our community and our way of life. It is unjust that the state has unequal spending for our school district up to $175 per pupil annually. That adds up to nearly $3.2 million for the entire DCSD in FY 16 and over $17 million in the last five years. Dr. Tate's act of civil disobedience in not following that limited spending authority and instead, raising spending to prevent larger class sizes and employee layoffs without increasing taxes is courageous and clearly the right thing to do. We thank him and the school board for standing so strong for our kids," said Menard.

In a speech on Monday, March 9, to the DCSD Board of Education, Tate said that he will violate state law which limits how much the DCSD can spend on public education. Instead, he said he will use $3.2 million in cash reserves (out of $29 million in reserve) to prevent increases in class sizes, fight the achievement gap and address the ill effects of poverty on a student's education. Tate is particularly dismayed that the legislature has not passed SSA for FY 2016 and FY 2017, as required within 30 days after the Governor presents his budget. Tate says that because the legislature is breaking school finance law and is proposing to underfund public schools he is prompted to recommend the DCSD break the school finance law as well.

"We are also asking the legislature and Governor to support 4 percent SSA for all Iowa's public schools. Iowa spends $1,612 dollars less per student than the other 49 states combined and we are seventh out of the eight Midwestern states. That's wrong. Iowa used to be a national leader in public education but we are falling behind. We can't grow a 21st century economy on the cheap. That's why we also need to increase SSA to all Iowa's public schools as well as focus on Dr. Tate's plan of increasing the DCSD's spending authority. They are both critical to the future of our kids," added Menard.

"Dr. Tate's approach does not raise taxes but allows the DCSD to spend money the district already has out of its reserves. If the legislature would do its job, the school district can do theirs. Davenport kids are not worth less than other kids in this state. Dr. Tate's actions are justified and deserve of our support," said Menard.

The Davenport Education Association (DEA) is the exclusive bargaining representative of the professional-level employees in the Davenport Community School District. With 1,000 members, the DEA is affiliated with the +34,000 member Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) and the +3 million member National Education Association.

For further information contact: DEA UniServ Director, Toby W. Paone at 563-355-3731 (office); 563-370-3270 (cell); tpaone@isea.org

Visit every floor, peek into closed rooms, and satisfy curiosity through this all-access pass to the Brucemore Mansion during the Nooks and Crannies Tour -March 19, April 2, April 16, and April 30 at 5:30 p.m. Marvel at the Skinner pipe organ room, discover the architectural oddities in the attic, and experience the sight and sound of a "rain storm" in the basement Tahitian Room. Examine the superior craftsmanship and learn about ongoing preservation work. The tour is not recommended for children under ten or individuals who have difficulty walking or climbing stairs. Tickets are $10 per Brucemore member and $12 per person in advance. Tickets purchased the night of are $15, if available. Purchase tickets online at www.brucemore.org or by calling (319) 362-7375.

The Nooks and Crannies Tour is part of Brucemore's Thursday Night Lineup. Every Thursday night Brucemore will feature a different specialty tour focusing on topics for all interests, including arts and culture, Midwestern industry, gardening, landscape design, architecture, preservation, and behind-the-scenes at Brucemore. For more information on the Thursday Night Lineup, visit www.brucemore.org or call (319) 362-7375.

About Brucemore

Experience Brucemore, an unparalleled blend of tradition and culture, located at 2160 Linden Drive SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. At the heart of the historic 26-acre estate stands a nineteenth-century mansion filled with the stories of three Cedar Rapids families.  Concerts, theater, programs, and tours enliven the site and celebrate the heritage of a community.  For more information, call (319) 362-7375 or visit www.brucemore.org.

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Mosher, a 24-year old rookie, has gone 11-12-4 in 29 games with the Mallards this season while posting a 2.81 goals against average, a .913 save percentage and one shutout.  He ranks second among ECHL rookies in save percentage.  Mosher's is the thirteenth AHL call-up for a Mallard this season.

Mosher joined the Mallards after enjoying a standout campaign at Acadia University in Wolfsville, Nova Scotia last season.  Mosher was named to the 2013-14 All-Canadian second team after going 17-5-0 in 22 games to finish tied for first in in the nation in wins in addition to finishing fifth in goals against average (2.12), seventh in minutes played (1358:42) and tenth in save percentage (.919).  The 5' 11", 176-pound Conception Bay, Newfoundland, product backstopped the Axemen to the Atlantic University Sport conference playoff title and a berth in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport University Cup national tournament.   

Mosher went 32-19-0 In 52 career games over three seasons at Acadia while turning in a 2.64 goals against average and a .902 save percentage along with a pair of shutouts.   

Mosher moved on to Acadia after tending goal for all or part of five seasons with the Prince Edward Island Rocket of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.  In 117 career QMJHL games, Mosher went 50-57-0 while posting a 3.17 goals against average, a .907 save percentage and three shutouts.  In 2010-11, Mosher completed his junior career in style by leading the "Q" in minutes played (3266:38) and total saves (1694) and finishing second in save percentage (.918), eighth in goals against average (2.19), tied for eighth in shutouts (2) and ninth in wins while going 25-22-3 in 57 games. 

Baptista, 25, joins the Mallards from Divison III power St. Norbert College, where he completed his collegiate career last weekend.  The 6' 2", 200-pound North York, Ontario, native this season led the Green Knights in points (34) and assists (26) and scored eight goals while playing in each of his team's 28 games.

Over his four seasons at St. Norbert, Baptista scored 29 goals and added 75 assists for 104 points in 117 career games while helping the Green Knights to the national title in 2012 and against last year.  Among Baptista's teammates for his first three collegiate campaigns was Joe Perry, who started this season with the Mallards before being called up to the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild last month.

Baptista played four seasons in the Ontario Junior Hockey League with the Vaughan Vipers and Villanova Knights before arriving at St. Norbert.

Baptista will wear uniform number nine for the Mallards.

Rioux returns to the Mallards after signing a professional tryout agreement with the Wild yesterday.  He has scored three goals and added 19 assists for 22 points while recording a plus/minus rating of +10 in 53 games with the Mallards this season.  Rioux has played three games for Iowa this year.

Reed, 20, joins the Mallards for the second time this season.  The 6' 2", 190-pound Coal Valley native first served as the team's emergency backup for a January 9 game against Wichita.