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Meeting Public Comments

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HF 228
A bill for an act relating to voluntary diversity plans under the state’s open enrollment law and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HSB 64.) Effective date: 05/10/2021.
Agenda
Subcommittee members: Sinclair-CH, Smith, J., Zaun
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: 217 Conference Room
Comments Submitted:
The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

03-11-2021
Tim Dugger [Postville Community School Dis]
The Postville School District would support keeping the Diversity Plan in place because the school district is benefiting from the current structure. We have had this plan since 2001. Our student population is 60% Hispanic, 30% Caucasian, and 10% Somali/African American. We also have a 75% Free/Reduced Lunch poverty level. The K12 enrollment is 735 students. The town of Postville has the worlds largest Kosher meat packing plant which employs 650 people. It is also the largest employer in Allamakee County. Our school is thriving based on the migrant/immigrants who are recruited to work there. The migrants/immigrants are working jobs that would not be filled otherwise. The result is, we have large families coming from Guatemala, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Somalia. The migrant/immigrant families support our school system and make it a rich environment for teaching and learning. The teaching/learning here is very strong which makes us proud of what we do each day. I would predict that if the Diversity Plan went away, we would lose 10% our our Caucasian population and see an increase in our Free/Reduced Lunch Poverty level. My guess would be closer to 80% minority population or higher. Along with an 85% poverty rate. Now, I am not saying it will be the end of the world, but the change will further isolate our small school from our Northeast Iowa Neighboring schools with nearly Zero diversity. Please keep our Diversity Plan in place. It does benefit our school and community.