Please write to your Reps and Senators - Oppose Reynold's reckless AEA plan.

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I talked to our Representative last night about this. It is as bad as or worse than privatizing Medicaid in Iowa. He hasn't heard from one person supporting it. We need to let our "leaders" know this is a bad idea.

Reynolds’ proposal upends Iowa’s area education agencies

...Her proposal, filed Wednesday as House Study Bill 542, however, has created more questions than answers for leaders of area education agencies and school officials, who are concerned about which services currently offered might not be included as special education services under the bill.

The proposal is “much more drastic than we anticipated and will have a major implication on services to kids,” said Nathan Wood, chief administrator of Great Prairie AEA — which serves about 35,000 students in 14 Southeast Iowa counties.

About 70 percent of funding for Iowa’s AEAs currently goes to support special education services. The agencies also meet schools’ needs in media and technology and educational services including math, science and literacy, which could be on the chopping block under the governor’s proposal.

AEAs would no longer be able to provide experts to school districts as they make curriculum decisions, support in implementing new curriculum, mental health support, services for students learning English as a second language and technology and cybersecurity services, among other things.

...much more at: https://www.thegazette.com/k/reynolds-proposal-upends-iowas-area-education-agencies/

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1. How to contact your legislator...

https://www.legis.iowa.gov/contacts

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2. The AEA was there to help when the Perry tragedy occurred....

Earlier this month when a gunman opened fire at Perry High School in Iowa, killing a sixth-grader named Ahmir Jolliff and wounding seven others, Heartland AEA responded that day with a crisis team, sending 50 school counselors to be available to families, students and staff.

Amy Knupp, executive director of special education at Central Rivers AEA in North-Central Iowa, said the bill could eliminate the agencies’ ability to have these crisis teams. “They’re not getting recognition for all the work they’ve put in,” said Knupp, who has been in touch with Heartland AEA leaders since the shooting.

“We’re boots on the ground every day,” Knupp said. “We know the parents, we know the teachers, we know the administrators, and we’re out there working hard.”