Iowa should increase school supplemental state aid

Having served as a school and City PTA president, as well as Executive Director of Iowa PTA, I'm deeply concerned that Iowa is falling short of adequate financial support for our public schools.

We are living in a global economy, much different from just a few decades ago. Our kiddos and our schools face new challenges and new opportunities. They need our support.

Our kiddos show up to do their job. We need to send our message loud and clear that we support their tenacity and efforts to be the very best they can be. It's time to step up to the plate and hit that home run for our future: Our children.

As our legislators who represent us return to the State Capitol it is my hope that funding the future of our state, our children, will be a top priority.

In the ‘90s, we were among the top states in education. At that time, Iowa ranked 10th in the nation in-per pupil expenditures, controlling for the cost of living.

Today, we have slid to 37th - more than $1,600 per student below the national average in per-student funding.

There are signs that our kiddos, who have been doing more with less for so long, are not keeping up with others across the country or around the world.

Governor Branstad says Iowa is experiencing a strong economic recovery. However, his recommendation is for an increase of only $61 per student, which is less than a 1 percent increase. The slide in per-student funding is not adequately addressed under his proposal.

Resources provide people - great teachers, administrators, and support staff, and more of them - so our class sizes don't keep growing and students get the individualized attention they need.

With funding comes technology and science lab equipment, so our students are ready for 21st Century success. Budgets should include supports for teachers and principals, instructional coaches to improve teaching strategies and outcomes.

Funding is also needed to heat our classrooms and fuel our buses.

Without adequate growth in funding, we are seeing fewer staff, fewer programs and fewer opportunities for our students.

It truly takes a village to raise a child - parents, teachers, grandparents, neighbors - everyone plays an important role in providing hope and a pathway to our kiddos' success. Adequate funding allows for the resources that each child deserves to assist them in reaching their full potential.

While our Governor proposes a less than 1 percent increase, and some legislators seek a 6 percent increase, perhaps a minimum 4 percent increase can be obtained. Our kiddos are watching ... they are listening ... they are our future.

' Susie Weinacht is a member of the Cedar Rapids City Council. Comments: SusW1201@gmail.com