Strengthen Investment in Iowa Public Schools
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWhy take a stand to strengthen investments in Iowa public schools?
Iowa’s future leaders, innovators, and citizens are its children. They are the Promise of Iowa, and their future is created every day by Iowa public schools in each community. A strong system of community-based public schools is the best investment Iowans can make to strengthen our economy, create thriving communities and improve the quality of life for every Iowan.
Iowans have an enduring commitment of support for public education, and our public schools today have many strengths. But we can’t rest on our laurels. State policymakers, locally elected school board members, educators and the business community all made a shared commitment in 2013 landmark legislation to ensure the next generation of Iowa students receives a world-class education.
But in this era of competing priorities and limited resources, state funding has sometimes fallen short in meeting the real needs of our students. Also, the regulations and structures of how schools are funded are hampering efforts to innovate and maximize resources. The case must be made to the Legislature that Iowa taxpayers and voters support strengthening investments in our public schools. Iowa school boards believe funding for our schools must be based on five guiding principles.
Invest strategically at the state and local levels. Improving public education takes strategic investment, at both the state and local levels, targeting funding toward changes that improve results. State initiatives must be adequately funded and supported, as unfunded mandates don’t lead to improvement. Beyond statewide initiatives, local schools need sufficient funding to meet student needs. Every school district faces its own unique challenges and each community must set priorities and invest in areas that ensure a strong, efficient and effective public school for every Iowa student.
Allow greater local flexibility to maximize resources. Local schools need greater flexibility from burdensome restrictions, allowing better efficiency in managing budgets.
Support equity and fairness in funding. Resolve long-standing inequities in school funding.
Ensure sustainability of funding. Prevent cuts or eliminations of important funding streams.
Make state funding decisions on time. State decisions on school funding must be made within the timelines set by law.
It’s up to us to fulfill our promise for the next generation of Iowans.
Sign and return the Promise of Iowa pledge form to show your support for strengthening investments in Iowa public schools.
www.promiseiowa.org
Campaign sponsored by: Iowa Association of School Boards, 6000 Grand Ste. A,
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
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