PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE ON THE LINE
The vast majority of Iowa children (97%) attend public schools. But it’s not just the vast majority of Iowa’s young families that depend on public schools. They are significant employers in our communities, with 38,000 educators and thousands more in other staff positions. Investments in public schools are a significant way to boost a state’s economy, and for most families, the quality of public schools is a key factor in determining where to live.
Our public schools are incredibly important to all of Iowa. And yet, while our state is sitting on more than a billion dollars of surplus and reserve, the Senate Republican Majority is proposing an incredibly low 2.25% increase in state funding for public schools. The proposed increase of $162 million overall works out to an additional $173 for each student.
At face value, that may sound like something, but there are a number of sneaky cuts that chip away at the actual amount that schools will receive. Last year’s tax code changes require about $60 million of those funds to be used keep property taxes down, instead of going to public schools. That brings the overall amount down to $103.7 million.
In addition, each year another $15 million is cut from public school funding for the Area Education Agencies, and this will likely happen again, bringing that amount to about $88 million. Senate Republicans are also proposing siphoning off an additional $50 million of public education funds for private school vouchers. All that doesn’t leave much of an increase behind.
But an increase is an increase, right? Not exactly. In a year when costs for nearly everything has risen at a higher rate than the proposed 2.25% increase, it is an effective cut.
School districts in my area are seeing health insurance premiums rising as high as 17.5%, transportation costs increasing by 20%, and we all know from our own power bills that utilities have gone up significantly. This increase will not come close to covering any of these increasing costs, let alone a cost-of-living increases for staff whose paychecks have already fallen behind the rising costs of food and housing.
Under this plan, 84 school districts in Iowa will not see any increase, but instead have to raise property taxes to simply maintain the previous year’s budget. To add insult to injury, a bill that singles out educators and librarians for criminal penalties is moving forward in the Senate.
YOU CAN STAND UP FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The inadequate school funding proposal (SF2204) will be debated in the Senate on Monday afternoon. Let your Senator, as well as Senate Republican Majority leadership, know how important public schools are to Iowa by sending an email or making a call. You can find their contacts here: www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators.
It is also possible to call the Senate switchboard to have a message delivered to a senator’s desk by calling 515-281-3371. Ask Republican Senators to invest $300 million in our public schools, instead of giving it away in their proposed $300 million in corporate tax cuts.
The private school vouchers bill will likely be brought to the Education Committee this week on Thursday at 11 a.m. Contact the members of the committee and tell them that public funds should be used for public schools, which welcome and serve all Iowa students.
Encourage your friends all over Iowa, especially those in rural communities, to reach out to their Senator. Public Schools are the heart of most communities, but they are essential to the survival of small town and rural Iowa. You can attend the committee or watch online. Get more information here.
It is sinister that SF 2198 (a bill threatening fines and jail time for teachers and librarians) was rushed through subcommittee when most Iowans were at work or school. As the only opportunity for a public hearing in the Senate, this is an offense to the Iowans who love their public schools.
The bill now moves on to the full Judiciary Committee. Please contact the members and let them know that educators are neighbors, friends and community leaders who deserve our respect.
PREPARING STUDENTS FOR IN-DEMAND JOBS
Students from Van Meter Elementary School share about their STEM project. Building a cardboard house, the students worked with local business leaders to learn about aspects of design, construction and even real estate.
STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—is the future of our economy. Cybersecurity, A-I, machine learning and so much more.
Employment in STEM occupations has been on the rise for years and shows no sign of letting up. STEM careers now make up 21% of all Iowa jobs.
One key to fixing the Reynolds Workforce Crisis is ensuring students of all ages can prepare for these in-demand skilled jobs.
STEM education and Career and Technical Education (CTE) do just that. This week, students from around Iowa visited the Statehouse to show legislators what they’re learning in these programs. They convinced me that STEM and CTE are great investments in Iowa’s future.
In STEM classes, Iowa students and teachers tackle challenging problems. Each year, about 2,000 educators introduce 100,000 Iowa students to STEM courses and projects. Students learn critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and collaboration—skills that set them up for success in school, work and life.
CTE offers innovative programs that prepare students for jobs in current or emerging occupations. Through a sequence of courses that provide competency-based learning, students gain academic knowledge, as well as reasoning, problem-solving and occupation-specific skills.
High schools and community colleges throughout Iowa offer a variety of CTE programs that can lead to great jobs in agriculture, natural resources, health sciences, information systems, engineering and manufacturing.
Learn more about CTE in Iowa and how its preparing job-ready workers at careertech.org/iowa and on the Iowa Department of Education website.
LEGISLATION WILL HELP IOWANS RIPPED OFF BY CONTRACTORS
Complaints about home improvement contractors are on the rise. In 2021, home improvement complaints were the second most common complaints made to Iowa’s Consumer Protection Division, and showed a 4.5% percent increase over the previous year.
To address the problem, the Iowa Attorney General has proposed legislation to protect consumers and suppliers from losses.
Under Senate Study Bill 3094, a residential contractor must file a $75,000 surety bond with the state before starting a home improvement project. A bond is a form of insurance to protect customers if a contractor doesn’t properly complete the job or pay for permits, subcontractors or supplies.
The bond would cover contracts to improve or repair existing residential property, including roofing, windows, siding, garages, sidewalks and other features. A customer or supplier could recover actual damages, court costs and reasonable attorney fees.
Contractors who fail to obtain a bond would be guilty of a simple misdemeanor and in violation of Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act. In addition, the Iowa Division of Labor would cancel their contractor registration.
If a contractor uses deceptive or unfair practices, the Attorney General’s Office could sue under the Consumer Fraud Act for consumer reimbursement, an injunction against future bad conduct, and up to $40,000 in civil penalties for each violation.
It’ll be good news for wronged Iowa consumers if this bill becomes law. In the meantime, don’t fall prey to the bad actors out there. Review the Iowa Attorney General’s contractor checklist before your next home improvement project.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
New missing person website
More than 300 Iowans are currently missing. The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) hopes to help by relaunching its Missing Person Information Clearinghouse website – iowamissingpersons.com.
Upgraded site features include an advanced search function that allows users to select identifiable body details, date of birth and other information that might help locate a missing person.
More than 75% of the missing persons on the site do not have photos available to display. DPS encourages Iowans to check the site and provide photos and other helpful information to law enforcement at mpicinfo@dps.state.ia.us.
Career planner at Camp Dodge
A career planner from Home Base Iowa is now available at Camp Dodge on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Veterans, active duty service members and their spouses can get resume assistance, advice on career exploration and employer contacts. Career planners also can help job seekers access workshops, mock interviews, hiring sessions at IowaWORKS job centers, and pathways to employment, such as apprenticeships, certificates and higher education.
Email HBI@iowa.gov to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.homebaseiowa.gov.
Iowa Character Awards
Do you know someone with exceptional character? Through May 3, you can nominate them for the 2022 Iowa Character Awards.
The Ray Center at Drake University annually recognizes Iowans who demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character Counts: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and good citizenship.
Who can be nominated? Iowa citizens (ages 10 and older), organizations and communities. You can nominate family, friends, co-workers and community members, or your own school, organization or company. For complete details, go to drake.edu/raycenter/recognition/ica/.
State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott works for the people of Iowa Senate District 14, which includes Adel, Booneville, Van Meter and Waukee in southeast Dallas County.
Contact her at 515-207-9464 or sarah.trone.garriott@legis.iowa.gov.