What will budget cuts cost students and educators?

In a guest column on Dec. 31, 2024, Bruce Lear commented on the $8.5 million Teachers Accelerated Learning Grant recently announced by Gov. Reynolds. This competitive grant would allow districts to pay an additional $2,500 per year to teachers whose students show accelerated learning.

Lear opines that this money (which comes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) could be better spent on needed classroom supplies. He states that teachers pay (out of their own pockets) an average of over $400 per year for needed supplies.

I recently learned that at least one elementary classroom teacher in the Ankeny school district has asked parents to make copies of student worksheets to support instruction in math and cursive writing because the district has limited funds for copy expenses.

Just days ago, I was reminded that our state income tax rates will fall again as of Jan. 1, 2025. While I am not a great fan of income taxes, I do believe that our state should fund our public schools adequately. As public tax dollars are diverted to private schools, what other budget cuts will become necessary? What will be the additional cost to our children and their teachers?

Deborah Miller

Ankeny