Reynolds: Iowa in a ‘good place’ to receive federal education funding as block grants

DES MOINES — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the state is in a “good place” to receive nearly $157 million in federal education funding by block grant rather than through the U.S. Department of Education, arguing that it will help eliminate “bureaucracy.”

During the annual turkey pardoning at the governor’s residence in Des Moines Tuesday, Reynolds told reporters that the state’s push to receive federal education funding in the form of block grants — fixed amounts of money from the federal government that can be used for a broad range of purposes — will help streamline the process and provide states with more flexibility in education spending.

“Sometimes they're (schools) leaving money on the table at the local level, if you're a small school, because they just don't have the manpower and the bandwidth to do it,” Reynolds said. “Shouldn't we take those resources and put them in the classroom and really have this be student-focused … that should be the priority, and that we're really doing everything we can to provide those services for our children and make sure that they're succeeding.”

Reynolds has been a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s and Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s efforts to dismantle the DOE and transfer its responsibilities to other federal departments.

In March, Iowa became the first state to submit a “unified allocation plan” to the DOE, requesting that the department provide Iowa’s federal education funding through a block grant. Reynolds wrote in an op-ed in The Hill that dollars that come through the DOE have “bureaucratic strings attached.”

The request would impact approximately $145.79 million in funds from nine Every Student Succeeds Act programs, which include funding for English language learners, rural schools and low-income students, according to the waiver.

In September, Reynolds pointed to student test scores rebounding to pre-COVID levels across multiple subjects, including math, reading and writing, and dipping rates of chronic absenteeism as further proof that the state is ready to have more control over delegating federal funding.

But education advocacy groups have criticized the plan, arguing that it will weaken accountability in funding, especially for supporting low-income students.

The waiver has yet to be approved.

Reynolds pardons two turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving

Carrying on an annual tradition, Reynolds pardoned Wingding and Tailfeather, two white tom turkeys that will live out their lives on a farm in Eastern Iowa after earning one of the highest honors a bird in the state can receive.

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“Every year, this event gives us a chance to have a little bit of fun and to really celebrate the incredible turkey industry and to give a couple of special birds a lucky break,” Reynolds said as the turkeys strutted around Terrace Hill’s grassy backyard, letting out the occasional gobble. “They've practiced their struts, perfected their poses and they have promised to be on their best behavior. And for some of you, who have been around a while, we have actually had them attack us or chase us down a few times.”

Reynolds also spent time during the pardon recognizing Iowa’s turkey industry, which produces 12 million birds annually, employs more than 38,000 Iowans and has a $10.6 million total economic impact.

This year’s birds were raised by Iowa Turkey Federation President Josh Berg, along with his wife, Kelli, and their three kids.