Statement by ISEA President Tammy Wawro on

DES MOINES, IA (03/23/2016)(readMedia)-- Today is a sad day for Iowans concerned about the future.

Today, legislators went back on their promise to support and promote Iowa's public schools. Instead, they placed corporate interests ahead of public school students by voting for legislation that starves schools of critical funding.

Senate Files 174 and 175 setting supplemental state aid (SSA) at 2.25 percent continue the anemic funding drip to Iowa's schools which began six years ago. Administrators will increase class sizes as a result of staff lay-offs, cut important courses in the curriculum that would otherwise challenge and inspire students, and will make ends meet by using outdated textbooks and technology. None of these options are good for students.

Perhaps most frustrating to parents, students and others working and living in our communities is that for the last three years, legislators have awarded nearly $750 million in industrial and commercial tax cuts to businesses – many of which are owned by out of state interests. Have these tax rewards earned Iowans more jobs at higher wages? Is big business more important than our children?

Even the Branstad/Reynolds administration began the legislative session with a higher request for school funding than what the legislature passed today. While still woefully inadequate, the Branstad/Reynolds proposal, at 2.45 percent, was more than the 2.25 percent passed today. The bills only include approximately $100 million in general state aid for Iowa's schools. This leaves huge budget deficits in many school districts across the state.

Yet, as testament to the high caliber education professionals still in our classrooms, Iowa students still out perform on assessments, graduation rates and in taking the ACT exam despite the efforts of legislators who don't care enough to give them the supports they need to succeed.

We are grateful to the pro-public education members of the Iowa House and Senate who had the courage to take a stand for more education funding. We are frustrated and disappointed with those who continue to say that education is a priority but vote against the interests of Iowa's students, schools and education professionals when they need it most.

Make no mistake. The ISEA, and our more than 34,000 members, will remember how everyone stood on education this spring. We will also remember in November.

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