Advocates Voice Concerns About 1.1% Budget “Increase”
Advocates for Des Moines Public Schools will gather at the State Capitol on Thursday, February 9.
Hundreds of people were at the State Capitol on Monday to voice their support for public education at a hearing held by the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the House moved forward with a budget bill that includes only a 1.1% “increase” in education funding, an amount that will mean a $6 million deficit on July 1 at Des Moines Public Schools in staffing costs alone.
Several advocates for DMPS were on hand at the Capitol yesterday, from School Board members to parents and members of the DMPS Community Legislative Action Team. Even more supporters of the school district will be at the Capitol on Thursday for DMPS Day on the Hill.
Here is a summary of the comments made to the legislature by members of DMPS-CLAT.
“Think of the resources the school needs to spend on my kids to educate them: they arrived in kindergarten having had good prenatal care and nutrition, two college educated parents, more developmental toys and books around the house than any kid needs, and quality preschool,” said Louisa Dyksta, a parent of two DMPS students. “Now compare that with what’s needed for some of our poorest kids to succeed. A kindergartener from an impoverished home can be up to two years behind on their first day of school. And we have high school kids who, instead of having parents to watch over their homework and provide for their needs, are themselves working full time trying to provide for the needs of younger siblings. But giving them all the support they need to successfully complete their education is the only way to reverse the cycle of poverty. Poverty has increased statewide from 27% of our kids in 2000 to 42% today. Our economy can’t afford for 42% of our kids to be left behind. We will pay for that in Medicaid costs, law enforcement costs, and other social programs. Instead, when we invest specifically in what’s needed for those in most need to complete their education, they become thriving members of our workforce, and thus a source of revenue for our state. It’s not only the moral thing to do, it’s an amazing return on our investment.”
“Iowa values education as evident by our quarter’s motto, ‘Foundation in Education.’ In fact, we lead the nation in the percentage of youth graduating high school, at just over 90 percent. We should all be proud of this achievement,” added Kelli Soyer, a parent of a DMPS 3rd grader. “However, it is also important to note there continue to be struggles to meet this benchmark. The state’s graduation rate for English Language Learners has declined; the graduation rate for non-white children is below the state average; and the increasing poverty experienced by one in six Iowa kids provides challenges for both rural and urban school districts. The ability of districts to meet the growing needs of our students cannot be done on a shoestring budget. In fact, the 1.1% SSA proposal is not seen as an increase but rather a cut to Iowa’s public schools. For the Des Moines district, this will be felt directly by our children through a cut in teachers, counselors, and other staff who provide day-to-day support to our kids to prepare them for their future … If legislators want Iowa to be attractive to business, having an educated and skilled labor force will be necessary to meet investors’ demands. You will soon make a decision that will affect the more than 480,000 Iowa children served by one of our public schools. You can do better for Iowa’s children, our communities, and our future.”
It’s not too late to join the DMPS Community Legislative Action Team this Thursday for a Day on the Hill to advocate on behalf of the District’s priorities, including preschool funds for children living in poverty, greater support for English Language Learners, and better school buildings through the SAVE penny sales tax. The effort begins at East High School at 8:30 AM for training and preparation before heading to the Capitol as a group to connect with legislators. This is a great opportunity for people to share their voices on behalf of our kids and our schools. Click here for more details and to register to participate.
