Keep wrestling and academics in Iowa schools

Statement by ISEA President Tammy Wawro on school budget cuts

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DES MOINES, IA (02/19/2015)(readMedia)-- "We can all be proud of the hundreds of student athletes gathering in Des Moines this week for the IHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. Their hard work and efforts in reaching this gold standard is cause for celebration in their schools and communities. But back home, in the school districts they represent so proudly, budget decisions are forcing administrators to make untenable decisions pitting academic programs against athletics. Both programs are equally important to a student's successful development and growth.

Faced with the Iowa House Republicans passage and Governor Terry Branstad's support of 1.25 percent in State Supplemental Aid, the Clinton Community Schools, sending three student athletes to the state wrestling tournament, is proposing cutting one middle school wrestling coach; Tripoli, sending two student athletes, first proposed a $12,000 cut to their wrestling program, and is now proposing fewer student contact days in the 2015-16 school year going from 180 down to 170 and cutting the wrestling cheerleading program; and Waverly-Shell Rock, sending six student athletes and facing over $750,000 in budget cuts, is proposing slicing the librarian/media specialist, an integral position in our schools in the overall health and well being of academic development and success, among other drastic cuts.

Schools across the state are facing dire budget decisions because Governor Branstad and state legislators are not listening to their needs and have continued to support an anemic SSA proposal. We simply cannot have excellence in education and support our athletics and academics without a true commitment to that effort.

So while Governor Branstad is most likely following the wrestlers at this week's state tournament, we would like him to consider that schools should not have to decide between athletic or academic programs. We believe students deserve a well rounded education which includes an ample supply of both athletics and academics in order to truly give them what they need to succeed. Increasing SSA will help schools reach this goal."

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The ISEA is a professional association made up of nearly 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students.