Protecting educational opportunity in tough times
from the Gronstal Report
February 17, 2011
Iowa families and communities are starting to rebound from the national recession. It’s more important than ever to focus on building a lasting recovery for all Iowans and small businesses.
In good times and bad, educational opportunity is the best way to grow Iowa’s middle class. Maintaining that opportunity is one of the top reasons I ran for the Legislature.
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That’s why I voted this week to increase basic state funding for our local schools by two percent. This money will be used during the 2011-2012 school year for textbooks, heating bills, technology and other necessities that help students, teachers and schools succeed.
We also approved additional state support to keep class sizes small, improve teacher quality and enhance professional development. It’s all about increasing student achievement, keeping the best and brightest teachers in our classrooms, and helping youngsters get a strong start.
In contrast, Governor Branstad and House Republicans have proposed zero new funding for Iowa schools for the next two years. That’s never happened before in our state, even during the farm crisis of the 1980s.
Iowa school superintendents say no new state funding would mean layoffs, crowding more kids into classrooms and raising property taxes.
We must maintain Iowa’s commitment to top-notch schools. With the economy rebounding, we can do it while balancing the state budget without raising taxes. It’s a wise investment in Iowa’s future.
Iowa families and communities are starting to rebound from the national recession. It’s more important than ever to focus on building a lasting recovery for all Iowans and small businesses.
In good times and bad, educational opportunity is the best way to grow Iowa’s middle class. Maintaining that opportunity is one of the top reasons I ran for the Legislature.
CLICK TITLE TO READ MORE
That’s why I voted this week to increase basic state funding for our local schools by two percent. This money will be used during the 2011-2012 school year for textbooks, heating bills, technology and other necessities that help students, teachers and schools succeed.
We also approved additional state support to keep class sizes small, improve teacher quality and enhance professional development. It’s all about increasing student achievement, keeping the best and brightest teachers in our classrooms, and helping youngsters get a strong start.
In contrast, Governor Branstad and House Republicans have proposed zero new funding for Iowa schools for the next two years. That’s never happened before in our state, even during the farm crisis of the 1980s.
Iowa school superintendents say no new state funding would mean layoffs, crowding more kids into classrooms and raising property taxes.
We must maintain Iowa’s commitment to top-notch schools. With the economy rebounding, we can do it while balancing the state budget without raising taxes. It’s a wise investment in Iowa’s future.
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