Iowa AEA bill shouldn’t be a mystery

Thanks to broad public outcry, Republican state lawmakers have pushed the pause button on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ plan to drastically change Iowa’s network of Area Education Agencies.

In her original plan, Reynolds called for curtailing educational services currently offered by AEAs, leaving them to focus on special education services only. Schools would no longer be required to fund AEAs and seek services elsewhere, maybe through private companies. AEAs would no longer be governed locally and would, instead, be controlled by the Department of Education.

The backlash was swift.

After Reynolds dropped her bombshell, Iowans informed the governor and GOP lawmakers how disruptive, shortsighted, and misguided the governor’s plan would be. Education professionals, parents and others pointed out the importance of AEA services Reynolds would eliminate. Even if districts were allowed to keep AEA funds, they would not cover all the lost services.

So Republicans who run the Legislature and Reynolds announced they would amend the original bill to restore some services. But like the bill itself, we have no idea who is crafting the amendment. There has been absolutely no transparency regarding the process that yielded these plans.

Reynolds has said lagging test scores among students with disabilities in fourth and eighth grade. We share the governor’s concerns. But we’re not convinced that AEAs must be dismantled to address those concerns. Parents of children with disabilities are worried that chaos will replace a system they trust.

The governor has said she has no plans to close any of Iowa’s nine AEAs. But then, last week, Reynolds told journalists in Iowa PBS’ “Iowa Press” that Iowa doesn’t need nine AEAs. Although she won’t be closing AEAs, it seems the governor knows her “reforms” could lead to closures.

The big amendment to Reynolds’ plan has not been released and it’s unclear when it will be. The people most affected by potential changes are not at the table. Meanwhile, school districts are already into budgeting for next year's expenses.

Once an amendment is agreed upon, the subsequent bill could move very quickly. That would be a mistake. The long-term consequences this AEA overhaul will affect hundreds of thousands of students and their families. This shouldn’t be a rush job.

Instead, lawmakers should sit down with those most affected by the changes, listen to what they have to say and craft a bill built on consensus, not one conjured up behind closed doors.

Reynolds has said “We need to do something big.” As currently configured, and without collaborative input, her plan is a big mistake.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com