Urge legislators to fund Iowa’s schools

To the editor:

The 2016 legislative session has started and the legislature is beginning the debate on school funding for next year. I call on both houses to come together in open and honest discussions and quickly agree to a timely and adequate percentage of Supplemental State Aid growth.

Linn-Mar and other districts should not have to scramble to plan their budgets, staffing and programs in order to create and sustain world-class schools. Timeliness and adequacy are crucial to Linn-Mar and all school district's ability to effectively plan for the future and make appropriate staffing and strategic decisions. One is not more important than the other. If the Supplemental State Aid rate will be the same today as it is on the last day of the session, districts would rather know now instead of later.

There have been positive signs coming out of both chambers about the urgency to get Fiscal Years 2017 and 2018 Supplemental State Aid completed. I applaud this bipartisan approach. I call on House Republicans and Senate Democrats to give schools the resources needed to increase student achievement and provide a world-class education.

Tim Isenberg

President, Linn-Mar Board of Education

Marion