Statewide, Iowa — Democrat Deidre DeJear says if she’s elected governor, she’ll push for an immediate 300 million dollar cash infusion for Iowa’s public K-12 schools.
DeJear says schools are grossly underfunded and earlier this year her fellow Democrats in the legislature proposed that amount be withdrawn from the state surplus.
DeJear says for the next school year, public schools should get at least a four percent annual increase in general state support. She says that will help schools deal with rising expenses, address unpredictable enrollment numbers and address gaps in student achievement.
DeJear describes the state’s public education system as the bedrock of our communities and she says it needs real investment.
DeJear is also proposing that public sector workers in Iowa regain the right to bargain over things like benefits and working conditions. A state law enacted in 2017 limits contract negotiations for educators and other public employees to a discussion of wages. DeJear says contract talks should give everyone supporting the education ecosystem a chance to suggest improvements.
Governor Reynolds was lieutenant governor when public sector bargaining rights were limited. Reynolds called the changes long overdue and said they gave taxpayers a seat at the bargaining table. Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann issued a written statement stating DeJear was offering false promises and he said Kim Reynolds had put more money toward public education every year she’s been governor.
