Iowa lawmakers ask for legal opinion on Regents' decision to close Price Lab School

Three House Republicans asked Attorney General Tom Miller today for a legal opinion on the Board of Regents' authority to close Malcolm Price Laboratory School.

“This is nothing against (University of Northern Iowa President) Ben Allen, this is nothing personal,” Rep. Pat Grassley, R-New Hartford, said. “When you have a decision of this magnitude, I think we have to make sure that all the proper channels were followed.”

Grassley joined Rep. Walt Rogers, R-Cedar Falls, and Rep. Chris Hagenow, R-Windsor Heights, in signing the letter.

On Monday, the board voted 8-0 with one abstention to close Malcolm Price Laboratory School on the recommendation of Allen, who said it would save the university about $2 million a year.

The three lawmakers are seeking clarification of the regents' authority to made the decision independent of the Iowa Legislature because Price is designated as the state's research and development school.