On Monday of this week, we debated late into the night on state supplemental aid for our public schools and one-half million kids. In the end, I voted against a 1.1% increase in funding to schools. This amount would raise property taxes, raise class sizes and lay off teachers.
The proposed 1.1% is the third lowest increase since 1973 and half of what was recommended by the Governor. A recent survey of superintendents found that any funding increase below 2% would force schools to raise class size (71%); lay off teachers (61%); delay textbook purchases (65%) and reduce offerings for kids (58%).
1.1% amounts to about $73 per student which would buy one-half of a textbook. Districts have had eight consecutive years of budget decline, averaging about 1.8% per year. Administrators say they need 3 to 3.5% just to stay above water.
I argued during debate that the issue is not low revenues; it is priorities. Our revenue has increased approximately 4.8% while the increase in aid amounts to only 16% of new revenues. A major concern for me is the large tax breaks that have been awarded to out-of-state companies over the past.
The last six years have seen the lowest investments in public schools in our history. I’m disappointed that the majority party refused to compromise with the Governor and do what is best for our schools. The future of our economy depends on a highly skilled workforce and investing in our public schools is essential to building the workforce we need.
The bill, Senate File 166, now goes to the Governor for his signature.
Hey Steckie, why have you never commented on the Micich fiasco that Mason City was involved in? She’s a perfect example of why we should NOT give more money to educators.
And since you’re such a big advocate for education, check the Iowa license for Anita Micich. She’s still shown as employed by Mason City and Clear Lake.
You need to work on the entire state education system!
Twist the TRUTH – she voted against it because it was NOT ENOUGH MONEY – MORE MORE MORE . Your FIRED ! Who said that famous phase?
Not enough money for the Spend Sister. She wants mo money, mo money, mo money.
How could the greatest generations had no more than a 3rd grade education they built this country, were respectful etc, look at the mutants of the last 3/4 generations.
Schools/indoctrination prisons need to be closed, all learning can be done on the internet.
Pass a budget that says no more than 10% of money spent goes to administrators and give teachers a wage increase would be the perfect solution. Teachers are underpaid and the admin costs are overboard.
They don’t use textbooks anyway. If they would learn to spend money like it was their own I can guarantee they would still be educating kids at a level that the kids need.
Your statement shows how little you know. Oh wait, I remember. None of those damn teachers have kids in public schools. They send em to private schools with all the money they make. Yeah, why would a teacher wants his or her kids to be well educated. You are a moron.
Spend sisters!