Iowa State Representative Skyler Wheeler delivered a speech during an AEA hearing at the Iowa State Capital in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Standing united as a coalition of superintendents from various regions in Iowa, we find ourselves at a critical juncture concerning the state’s education system and its impact on students. As lawmakers deliberate on reforms to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs), we feel compelled to express our collective perspective, drawing from our diverse experiences overseeing districts of different sizes and demographics.
Our primary message is unequivocal: we harbor significant apprehensions regarding the proposed modifications to the AEAs, particularly the shift towards a “Fee-for-Service” model. The intrinsic value of the AEA framework lies in its collaborative nature, ensuring that every school district, irrespective of its scale or location, can access the necessary services to support its students. Rural districts, in particular, heavily rely on AEAs for crucial assistance. Disrupting a system that has proven effective over the past five decades could have severe repercussions for the students under our care.
Furthermore, we express concerns about the timeline associated with the proposed changes, slated to commence as early as July 1. Rushing into fundamental alterations in AEA support services poses the risk of destabilizing our educational environment, leaving minimal room for essential strategic planning and adaptation. We firmly believe that our students and communities deserve a more thoughtful approach.
Additionally, the proposal to centralize control within the Department of Education, an entity seemingly lacking the requisite capacity and led by individuals with limited educational experience, undermines local expertise and decision-making processes crucial for tailoring services to the specific needs of each community. This initiative represents an unwarranted overstep by the state government, founded on exaggerated assertions about imminent federal actions that have since been largely discredited.
In recent years, educational funding has failed to keep pace with inflation, placing us in a precarious position. The suggested changes may compel us to make a choice between essential AEA services and recruiting staff to address immediate requirements — a dilemma no district should confront. Depriving schools of resources and then demanding that they sacrifice vital services for their students is counterproductive. Enhancing state supplemental aid (SSA) to 3% or higher and elevating teacher salaries are crucial steps towards fortifying a system that comprehensively supports students.
While the underlying rationale behind the proposed AEA legislation aims to enhance outcomes for Iowa’s students, particularly those facing significant challenges, the practical implications of these changes remain unclear upon closer scrutiny. We acknowledge the imperative for enhancements, necessitating a comprehensive statewide evaluation of our educational framework, encompassing the Department of Education, schools, and AEAs. This evaluation should be conducted patiently and inclusively to pinpoint areas for improvement and devise strategies that uplift every student. We advocate for refraining from enacting any legislation until such a review is undertaken, emphasizing a process that welcomes input from all stakeholders, including superintendents and other invested parties awaiting the opportunity to engage directly with the governor.
Governor Kim Reynolds recently emphasized, “Elected leaders should always trust the people they serve, and I promise I would do it again.” This principle should extend to educational reform. While the aspiration to enhance the system is commendable, it should not disregard the collective wisdom and expertise of those immersed in the daily realities of our schools. The majority of stakeholders, ourselves included, harbor substantial reservations regarding the proposed AEA legislation.
Change, when guided by a thorough and thoughtful approach, can yield meaningful improvements. However, such changes must be approached with caution, ensuring they build upon the existing strengths of our system rather than undermine them. Let us strive for educational reform that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to the diverse needs of our state, securing a promising future for all children in Iowa.
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