Hegland will be a voice for Iowa schools

Our schools are the heart of our communities and no one understands that more than Joe Hegland of Manchester, candidate for Iowa State Senate District 34. Hegland lives in Manchester with his family and is a lifelong Iowan. He has been a teacher and technology director at West Delaware School District 19 years.

When you meet Joe, you can hear how important schools are to him and why he’s prioritizing public education. He is concerned about the Iowa Legislature which consistently underfunds public schools while handing out vouchers for private schools. As of Jan. 29, 2024, $128 million in taxpayer funds was paid out to Iowa’s private schools.

This spring the Iowa Legislature drastically reduced funding to the AEAs, which provide multiple resources to Iowa schools and were designed specifically to be the equalizer for all school districts big and small. Rural school districts will lose a ton of support services beginning this August. Joe understands what these cuts mean for kids and families.

Joe says, “I am a candidate for Iowa Senate because I don’t feel people are being represented. When there is a topic that a majority of people disagree with and express that concern with our representatives, and they vote the opposite, then we no longer have a voice.” Joe is running to be our voice to stand with our kids, communities, and schools.

Learn more about Joe Hegland and his plans for better inclusion for all at JoeforIowa.com.

Deb Lechtenberg

Dundee