ISEA

COMMUNIQUÉ A PUBLICATION OF THE IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION – DEC 19/JAN 20 – Vol. 57, No. 3 IN THIS ISSUE: Freedom to educate You're not alone Iowa NICE 3 6 10 Money for your local and projects for your community 2020 Legislative Preview FOLLOW US ON: By Melissa Peterson, government relations specialist, mpeterson@isea.org By Mike Wiser, mwiser@isea.org see GRANTS on page 4 Few commutes are longer than the ones students in rural America take to get to school each morning. Take, for example, the pupils in the Algona Community School District. In 2014, the Titonka Consolidated School District folded in to Algona Schools. In 2015, Corwith-Wesley dissolved with some students splitting into Algona and, that same year, Lu Verne schools began sending secondary students to Algona as part of grade- sharing agreement. The Algona school district now covers 282 square miles, parts of three counties and buses students from the rural towns of Algona, Burt, Titonka and Whittemore and the surrounding area. Sheila Stecker knows the commute well. She drives roughly 50 miles round trip daily to get from her home in Titonka to her kindergarten class at Bertha Godfrey Elementary in Algona and back again. One day while scrolling through Facebook during a snow day, she happened across a story about a "Books The second session of the 88th General Assembly begins Jan. 13th, 2020, and is scheduled to end 100 days after that. It is, however, an election year and we expect legislative leadership will be anxious to get folks on the campaign trail and will likely adjourn early. Given the political makeup at the Statehouse we expect to play defense against anti-worker policies, inadequate investment in our students and attempts to limit the input of educational professionals at the tables where important decisions are being made. As always, we will continue to work where we are able to advance legislation that is best for our students, our professionals and our state. Here are some of the top issues we're looking at going into session: Adequate Funding for K-12, Community Colleges and AEAs With habitual underfunding, it is imperative we advocate for an SSA rate of no less than 3%. We will lobby for equity within the formula related to transportation and per pupil funding within the formula, along with increases for low income and ELL students. Community colleges need to be properly funded to ensure affordable access. AEAs must be funded so they can provide quality services for our most vulnerable students. Mental Health While the state acted last session to create a system to address children's mental health, appropriations were insufficient and fleeting. We will work with both parties to ensure those in need are identified and education professionals have the tools to create positive outcomes. This includes advocating for a significant increase in the number of school nurses, social workers and counselors. Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) This year the legislature is tasked with reviewing IPERS and making recommendations as they see fit. While we do not anticipate changes, we will monitor closely to ensure no changes are made to this well funded, well managed system. Tax Reform Legislative leaders have indicated a desire to consider additional "tax reforms." ISEA will advocate against any "reforms" that would reduce revenue available to fund important public services like public education. ISEA members Kristi Roberts (left) and Sheila Stecker hold up book totes from Algona's "Books on the Bus" program. Roberts and Stecker developed the program and obtained funding through the Iowa State Education Association's Community Outreach Grants program. SUBMITTED PHOTO How to Apply The ISEA Community Outreach Grants program is open to members of the Iowa State Education Association. Members can receive up to $500 to help underwrite the cost of a partnership project in a local community. Applications can be downloaded at www.isea.org under the ISEA Awards & Scholarships section. Deadline for the next round of grants is February 17, 2020.

• Cover
• Freedom to educate
• You're not alone
• Iowa NICE