AEA system isn’t equal, it’s equitable

In Althea Cole’s March 17 column, it was pointed out that several superintendents across the state openly called for reform of the state’s AEA system. What she failed to mention is that as the governor was drawing up her plan to eviscerate the AEAs, she did not consult with educators in the state. The input for her decisions came from an out-of-state entity. Educators are not afraid of change, but they would like to be involved in the decisions being made about what the changes might be.

AEAs work with educators and families in those communities to make sure the students are getting the best education possible. The amount of services an individual district may need in a given year will vary over time. This is not an equal system, but it is certainly equitable.

The state’s AEAs are like firefighters/EMTs. A community doesn’t need them every day. But when a house starts burning or someone has a heart attack, they are needed right away and they are available. When a district suddenly needs a certain service from the AEA and there is no one there to respond in a timely and appropriate manner, the end result will be less support for our state’s students. I think it can be agreed no one wants that.

Gary Warner

Cedar Rapids