Senate panel adds $3 million for Price Lab School

DES MOINES – Iowa Senate Democrats would put on hold a decision by the Board of Regents to close Malcolm Price Lab School in Cedar Falls.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved $3 million to keep the research and development school at the University of Northern Iowa open for one year.

In approving the one-year extension of funding, Chairman Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, said the committee is trying to give the Legislature more time to “get more information and figure out what actually is the best thing to do.”

The funding is not certain, “but there should be further discussion” before the school is closed, said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo. He expects there may be resistance from the Republican-controlled House despite the efforts of Cedar Falls area lawmakers to keep the school open.

He is right. Rep. Nick Wagner, R-Marion, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, was surprised by the earmark in HF 2462, the so-called “standings” bill that funds a wide variety of state spending. Wagner doesn't think the House will second-guess the decision to close the school.

“The regents empowered (UNI President) Ben Allen and they have supported his decision,” Wagner said. “We need to trust what they are doing.”

For its part, UNI said the sentiment of Senate Democrats is appreciated, but the role of the school should be kept in perspective.

“We think it's important to reiterate that while Malcolm Price Laboratory School has served the university and community well, the school was not the foundational element of the UNI teacher-education program,” UNI Executive Director of University Relations James O'Connor said in a statement.

A new model for the Iowa Research and Development Center for Education Innovation “will allow faculty more time to do research, professional development and create partnerships statewide,” according to the university.

The Senate Appropriations Committee is not the final word on the budget. If approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate, the funding would become part of the budget negotiations between the chambers.

There currently are 345 K-12 students enrolled at Price Lab, giving UNI's education majors a place to do their student teaching. The Cedar Falls, Waterloo and surrounding districts have opened their doors to welcome these students and plans continue to move forward to close MPLS by June 30, according to UNI.

President Allen announced earlier this year it would be closed June 30. The Board of Regents approved Allen's decision in February, endorsing his efforts to close a budget deficit.

Gov. Terry Branstad agreed with the decision and said Allen is in the best position to make that decision.

Whether lawmakers would reverse Allen's decision a year from now isn't certain, Dotzler said.

“I know there are people who would like to make a different decision, but whether they would, I don't know,” he said.