ISEA president: "End capitol gridlock for kids' sake"

DES MOINES, IA (05/02/2011)(readMedia)-- The largest employee union in the state, the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), continues to urge the Governor to respect Iowans' wishes for high-quality schools, and once and for all negotiate in good faith with the Iowa Legislature instead of holding up the process.

"The very nature of bargaining means that two sides are willing to give a little and take a little. Iowans understand a fair bargaining system and demand that their elected officials play by the same rules," said Chris Bern, president of the ISEA. "Our Governor should not consider himself above the rules," added Bern.

The ISEA began the legislative session with a position of 4 percent allowable growth which would allow schools to continue to operate at a status quo level and keep up with the cost of inflation. Currently, many school districts are making ends meet by utilizing their one-time-only federal emergency funds which run out next year. Setting a two-year budget at this time would drastically alter their ability to make up shortfalls and refill lost revenue for the 2013-2014 school year.

"Our 4 percent got knocked down to 2 percent in the legislative process and now is stuck squarely at the Governor's door. "We are literally talking about a $65 million difference when our state has somewhere between $600-$900 million in reserves," said Bern.

"We are asking the Governor to fulfill his responsibility to all of the people in Iowa who play by the rules. He needs to continue to negotiate with the Legislature in good faith and get this process moving forward so that our kids can count on the quality public schools they deserve," added Bern.

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The Iowa State Education Association is a professional association made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to promoting and preserving quality public education for all students. Great Education. It's an Iowa Basic.