News from the Iowa State Education Association

Governor Branstad cuts education in his Condition of the Budget Governor Branstad is balancing the budget on the backs of our kids. In his Condition of the Budget report released January 27, Governor Branstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges, 0 percent allowable growth for K-12, an additional $27 million reduction to AEAs, and the elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program. All of these cuts are completely unnecessary. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau reports a surplus of over $900 million in the state budget projections for this fiscal year.

Branstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges  Brandstad recommends $9.2 million in cuts to Iowa's community colleges for 2011-2012. This reduction is in addition to the $5.9 million in cuts Governor Branstad refused to reinstate for this fiscal year. This will mean faculty layoffs, larger class sizes, and higher tuition.

Allowable growth down to 0 percent Governor Branstad has recommended 0 percent Allowable Growth for Iowa's public schools.  This means public schools will not see any inflationary adjustments to their budgets for the first time in 30 years. It means fewer course offerings, larger class sizes, fewer supplies, less support services, and our best and brightest teachers will simply move to another profession. Make no doubt about it, this hurts Iowa's kids.

Branstad recommends a $27 million reduction to AEAs  AEAs are the cornerstone to Iowa's schools. They provide services to children with special needs and professional development to educators to enrich the learning experiences of children. Governor Branstad recommends a $27 million reduction to AEAs. Again, these cuts hurt Iowa's most vulnerable children who receive special education services.

Branstad eliminates voluntary preschool; initiates voucher system Governor Branstad recommends the elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program ($69.9 million). He further reduces child development by $4.6 million and early education tuition assistance by $4.5 million. Governor Branstad then creates a $43.3 million needs-based voucher program. Elimination of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SVPP) will dramatically reduce the number of four-year-olds who attend preschool. Before the SVPP, attendance at preschool was at 19 percent; after the SVPP began attendance rose to 60 percent in just four years. With the elimination of the SVPP and initiation of vouchers, attendance at preschools will drop and preschool centers in communities across Iowa will close. This hurts our young children in their formative years.

What can you do? Attend a legislative forum in your area and demand that your legislators put Kids First! Ask legislators to explain how they plan to attract businesses to Iowa to create jobs while diminishing our most attractive recruiting tool - education.