Settle education funding debate

To the editor:

I recently asked Principal Gary Hatfield what the Republican school funding proposal would mean for Cedar Rapids Taft Middle School students.

In his return email, he said funding at 1.25 percent could force class sizes in core subject areas to 35 per class at his junior high. I appreciated Hatfield's response and the similar responses from educators and school board members across the state.

Many also asked me: How did school funding get to be so partisan? I wish I knew. Iowans are right to believe that investing in the next generation is our path to a stronger economy and a brighter future. However, things have changed at the Iowa Legislature. At the Statehouse, support for local schools breaks down on party lines.

Here's where we are:

In January, House Republicans approved a 1.25 percent increase in school funding.

The problem with 1.25 percent is that it won't cover the increase in local school costs, let alone reverse the effects of several lean years.

The Senate first addressed this issue last year with a vote for 6 percent. We tried again this year with a compromise at 4 percent.

Recently, Democratic negotiators offered to 'split the difference” and proposed 2.625 percent.

That's right at the middle of the most recent positions of the House and Senate. Thanks to a 6 percent growth in state revenues and more than $400 million in surplus funds, it is affordable.

We must settle this issue soon. Let's set partisan differences aside and compromise.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach

Chair of the Senate Education Committee