Public schools need public funding

Public schools in Iowa serve anyone living in their districts, regardless of skill level or background. They provide programs for children who excel, who need remediation, are typically developing, have emotional needs, or do not speak English.

As a former elementary principal, I frequently heard parents express gratitude that their “average” child was in a classroom that offered diversity. It was important to them that their child learn tolerance and group work skills at a young age, knowing these experiences would serve them well in a future career.

Public schools in Iowa are the great equalizer. Every child is given the opportunity to master the needed skills to be successful in life. Resources are provided to all children as needed. Six-year-olds came to school in August 2021 not being able to write their name, while their peers were starting to read chapter books. Educators worked even harder to determine what each child needed, and prioritize those needs within our limited resources.

Allowing educational savings accounts takes away from the inclusive environment of public education. It also takes away from our already-limited resources at a time when the need for those resources is increasing.

The children in public schools today are the workers of tomorrow. They will be the doctor performing your mother’s heart surgery, the pilot flying you to your vacation, or the plumber fixing your burst pipe. Don’t we want the best education possible for all of them?

Carol O’Donnell

Marion

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