Iowa lawmakers targeted schools In the dead of night

On May 20 in the dead of night, Iowa lawmakers and Gov. Kim Reynolds took local control away from elected school board members, city council members, mayors, and county supervisors. The voices of the voters were silenced by a late night power grab from the Iowa Legislature.

For many of Iowa’s school children, Reynolds took away their remaining days or weeks of school by banning mask mandates. Why? It appears that partisan politics is more important than protecting our immunocompromised children. Mask policies are in place as recommended by CDC guidelines. We elect local leaders and they should be making these decisions about what is best for their schools.

After state lawmakers and the governor forced face to face schooling earlier in the session, parents had to make difficult decisions about returning to work, staying home, opting for online education for kids or sending them to school. And now, Thursday morning, many parents were left scrambling after finding out a policy made by their local elected leaders was overturned by lawmakers. So much for home rule.

Cathy Burgess

Cedar Rapids