Schools have bigger issues than calendar

To the editor:

Why this sudden need to enforce the 1980s special interest law that is 'simply convenient” for Iowa tourism and the Iowa State Fair? The later school starting date requirement is justified by a court ruling from Chief Justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, John F. Dillon in 1872, stating: local governing bodies (school districts) can exercise the following powers and no other: '… those granted in expressed words … not simply convenient, but indispensable ...”. In plain English: Dillon's rule from the 19th Century says that laws passed in Des Moines limit the authority and power of local school districts. State aid from Des Moines is the final authority for local schools; the state checkbook has the power.

Local school districts until the 1960s were funded by local property tax. Similar to other school districts in Iowa, state aid school funding provides 71 percent of total funding for Cedar Rapids Community Schools. An 88-page presentation from Iowa Department of Education explains state aid funding. (https://www.legis.iowa.gov/DOCS/LSAReports/k12Education/SchoolAidPresentation.pdf.)

State aid school funding is not free money; 'state aid” is income and sales tax paid by 'local taxpayers.” I encourage everyone to talk with education leaders and state legislators representing your school district. Ask them if they think that our schools need more local control. You might be surprised to learn there are bigger issues than school calendars. Our children expect us to do our homework and find ways to deliver 21st Century learning, despite 18th and 19th Century laws.

Phil Owen

Monticello