Appalled at Republicans’ ed priorities

As I read the Wednesday edition’s installment, "Here's What Iowa Schools Want From Lawmakers," in the legislative preview series, I am appalled at the Republican response to these priorities. I could write a much longer letter but will focus on just a couple of the issues.

With regard to paying for full day four-year-old preschool, House Speaker Pat Grassley stated that he is concerned that pulling kids from child care to be placed in preschool will hurt the child care providers that Republicans have invested in. So apparently investing in the wrong thing is more important than doing what is best for the public school children in Iowa. Perhaps ending the ridiculous voucher system would be a great starting point to fund full day 4-year old preschool.

The other issue is in regard to the attack on the AEAs. They have no idea the damage they've done to a fantastic system. Their move to defund the AEAs may save Iowa's largest districts some money but has caused unnecessary damage to smaller rural districts.

It's unfortunate that Gov. Reynolds chose not to respond to this series, but as we know she isn't very good at explaining herself and would rather operate in a vacuum than be transparent, like the AEA bombshell she dropped at her last Condition of the State speech. If you want strong public schools in Iowa, like we used to have, we need to vote these people out when we get the chance.

Dave Edwards

Coralville,