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Permanent LinkMeeting Public Comments
Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:
A bill for an act relating to education, including establishing a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund, requiring the boards of directors of school districts to publish certain specified information, modifying provisions related to required social studies instruction, open enrollment, teacher librarian endorsements, competent private instruction, and special education, making appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective date, applicability, and retroactive applicability provisions.
Subcommittee members: Wills-CH, Ehlert, Holt
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2022
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Location: RM 103, Sup. Ct. Chamber
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
Comments Submitted:
Download Comments03-05-2022
Hout Jane []
I am opposed to this bill that would give public school money to private schools. Parents have a choice to send their child to a school of their choice already. If they choose a private school then they choose to pay for it. Some private schools do not accept some students, such as a special needs child if they can not adequately meet the needs of that child. Also private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public schools to meet some state standards. I believe in our rural schools and this bill would even further jeopardize our already underfunded schools. My daughter's and my grandson's future education is at stake as well as my many nieces and nephews. These kids are the future workforce of Iowa. By weakening public schools, you are weakening our workforce and the strength of our state. Private schools should not receive public school money. Furthermore, any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money as a basis of separation of church and state.
03-05-2022
Julie Cox []
am opposed to this bill that would give public school money to private schools. Parents have a choice to send their child to a school of their choice already. If they choose a private school then they choose to pay for it. Some private schools do not accept some students, such as a special needs child if they cannot adequately meet the needs of that child. Also private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public schools to meet state standards. I believe in our rural schools and this bill would even further jeopardize our already underfunded schools. These kids are the future workforce of Iowa. By weakening public schools, you are weakening our workforce and the strength of our state. Private schools should not receive public school money. Furthermore, any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money as a basis of separation of church and state.
03-05-2022
Ninh Ha []
I, along with many of your constituents, are opposed to this bill.Public funds should be used for public schools, and only public schools.
03-05-2022
Dianne Stanley []
Those who wish to send their children to private schools should pay for that priviledge. After all, their children are welcome to attend public school. Your choice of personnal indoctrination is your responsibility. Public education serves the community as a whole.
03-05-2022
Shirley Vermace []
Public money only for public schools!
03-05-2022
Wendi Peterson []
Public money for public schools. Parents that want to send their kids to private school should pay for the full tuition amount. Any school that receives public money should have to follow ALL federal education laws and not be able to discriminate against anyone in anyway.
03-06-2022
Elizabeth Harris []
Public money for public schools and fund them fully!
03-06-2022
Paula Thome []
I am opposed. Public money should only support public schools. I still dont understand how this benefits rural districts at all as many, many do not have access to private schools unless done virtually. No matter what this is called it comes done to being school vouchers. Passing this bill will only further dismantle public education in our state.
03-06-2022
Kathy Graeve []
I am opposed. Public tax payer money is for public schools. Public schools are accountable for the money they are given. Private schools are not accountable to taxpayers so no public tax money should go to private schools.
03-06-2022
Lois DeWaard []
Public dollars for public schools only. Public schools are required to take all students. Private schools can refuse students that cost too much to educate. Public schools cannot. Private schools already receive too many public dollars. Vote no on this bill.
03-06-2022
Candella Foley-Finchem []
Opposed to this bill. As many have said already public funds for public schools. I do NOT want my tax dollars to be used to fund schools that can discriminate against children based on gender, ethnic background, being differently abled, or just not fitting into some "criteria" for what a particular private school admits. Public schools serve all the students, and that is what our collective investment should fund.
03-06-2022
Candella Foley-Finchem []
Opposed to this bill. As many have said already public funds for public schools. I do NOT want my tax dollars to be used to fund schools that can discriminate against children based on gender, ethnic background, being differently abled, or just not fitting into some "criteria" for what a particular private school admits. Public schools serve all the students, and that is what our collective investment should fund.
03-06-2022
Kristi Wickre []
I am opposed to this bill. Public funds should only be used for public schools. Private schools have other funding stands they can pull from and do not follow all the rules or educate all children.
03-07-2022
Karla Krueger []
Division VI of HF 672 should be removed from this bill because saying that one shall not have a master's degree deprofessionalizes those teachers who are school teacher librarians. We do not want this wording because there are already several well defined paths to endorsement as a teacher librarian, one of which is the master's degree option. The masters option prepares a teacher librarian for three primary focus areas in their curriculum: that is to create students who are passionate readers, discerning consumers of information and responsible digital citizens. Teacher librarians provide direct classroom instruction for students in all grades, throughout each school day. They teach students to conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self generated question) or solve a problem, narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate, synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. In addition to providing students instruction in reading, information literacy, and technology, teacher librarians also participate in collaboration with other classroom teachers and provide leadership in building and districtwide school improvement. Teacher librarians are educated extensively on the use of selection tools that support reader interest, diversity and inclusion, and resources to support all students' reading levels and interests. All of this teaching across the range of K12 grade levels is a high value for districts who hire a highly qualified teacher librarian, and their students will continue to soar. Thank you for working on this issue.Additionally, I agree with others that public funds should only be used for public schools. Karla Krueger
03-07-2022
Chelsea Sims []
I am opposed to all of this bill. Public money for public schools. School curriculum is already readily available to parents who ask for it. Teacher Librarians should not have their credentialing changed. Stop this terrible policy from becoming law.
03-07-2022
Vicki Aden []
I am opposed to this bill. Public dollars need to go to public education. Public dollars should serve all students, not just those that private schools choose to admit. Public schools are required to admit and serve all students. This legislation would divert public funds to nonpublic schools, who are not required to adhere to this principle of equity. Public money should be subject to public oversight, and should require accountability and transparency. Private school spending is not transparent, and private school administration is not publicly accountable. Even within this bill, the new transparency requirements on curriculum only apply to public schools, not to those private schools that would receive more taxpayer money through this bill. Nonpublic schools are not held to the same standards for transparency as public schools. The absence of public accountability for public funds could contribute to waste and fraud of taxpayer dollars. This bill will greatly harm public education in Iowa.
03-07-2022
Dennis Quint []
Please support HSB 672 to promote school choice. Families who choose private schools pay taxes. Private schools save taxpayers a significant amount of money as they educate students. Thank you
03-07-2022
Leann Seddon []
Public money is for public entities! Do not deprofessionalize teacherlibrarians: maintain the Master's requirement. Do not stymie teacher's creativity and professionalism nor waste their time: do not require a list of all resources to be published. Everchanging library collections are already available to stakeholders in their online catalogs, but it's a bit absurd to have school districts publish a list of ALL resources that will be used in the school year. New books and resources and current events are being created or happening all the time. A good teacher responds to his/her students needs and incorporates this relevant, new material into his or her instruction to truly engage the learners. People can choose to send their children to private schoolswhich admit/exclude whoever they want but don't have to abide by ALL the same rules that public schools do but they should not be able to do so with public taxpayer money.
03-07-2022
Peter Smith [St. Francis Xavier]
I'm prochoice, so I support bill HSB 672. I would like to clear up some of the misinformation stated in some of the comments from those opposed to the bill. First, most private schools in the state of Iowa are accredited by the Iowa Department of Education, even though we receive little to no funding. Secondly, it was said that all families have a choice for education, but that is not totally true. Some families can not afford private school tuition, and this predominantly affects low income families, which could be considered a form of discrimination in itself. Also, private schools do a great job of educating all students, even those with extra educational needs. And yes, public schools can not refuse students that have severe educational needs, but they also receive extra funding to educate such children and private schools do not. Give private schools the same funding and we will educated students with extreme needs as well. It was also stated that private schools discriminate based on gender, ethnic background, etc. That is absolutely not the case for the private school that I currently work at, have worked at, or work with. All students are welcome. And lastly, it could be said that no matter the school a student attends, someone's values are always being taught.
03-07-2022
Mary Smock [Archdiocese of Dubuque]
Please support HSB 672 to promote school choice. Parents should have the right to choose what is important to their family and where they want their child to attend school. Many parents are not given access to non public, accredited schools because of their income level. Their choices are limited because they do not make enough money. This should not be a public vs. private school issue. There is much misinformation concerning the rules and regulations that non public schools adhere to. I urge you to do allow parents to decide what is best for their child regardless of their income. Thank you Mary Smock
03-07-2022
Janet Smith []
I have taught in public schools and private schools. There is a good education to be had at both. However, there is already a way for children from families who do not have the means to attend a private schoolthrough scholarships. Both private schools where I taught had generous scholarships available to students, as well as beautiful facilities and endowments. To take money away from public schools is to deny the majority of children in this state the facilities and resources they need. Parents who elect to send their children to private schools already know they are paying for a different curriculum and school experience. It is their choice. As for teacher librarians, there is already a pathway to librarianship that does not require a master's degree. It is an elementary or secondary endorsement by the state DOE.
03-07-2022
Sara Rooney [St. Cecilia School]
Please support HSB 672. I am the principal at St. Cecilia School in Ames, which serves students currently through 5th grade. Eventually, most of our students (except those who matriculate to homeschool) enroll in a public middle or high school, including my own children. It makes me sad when this situation is presented as a "robbing Peter to pay Paul" scenario, because as someone invested in both the public and nonpublic systems, I don't believe that it should be looked at as an "either/or". From my perspective, this bill is written to support those Iowans who desire a nonpublic education for their child, but cannot fund that education from their own wages. Even with assistance at the local and diocesan level, some families still struggle to pay the tuition at nonpublic schools. It is an issue of justice, in my opinion, that lowincome families are able to receive the same high quality education at a nonpublic school that other, more affluent, families are able to receive. If the state invests this scholarship money, I am certain that the state will see an increase of productive citizens in Iowa in about a generation. Investing in students regardless of where their families choose for them to study is a wise choice.
03-07-2022
Mark Sturgeon []
Our tax dollars should only go to support public education. If charter schools or parochial schools are able to receive our tax dollars, they should then be held to the same standards as public schools as far as accepting students, accommodations for disabilities, open meetings, etc. Legislators already do not fully fund our public education system (2 percent increases don't keep up with the rate of inflation, equating to a cut). This is a really bad idea to siphon money away from and starve public education. As for the curriculum, specific books, etc., leave that up to the local school boards. What is offensive in Orange City might be fairly acceptable in Des Moines, and vice versa. Don't like the way your specific school board is run? Run for school board or attend public meetings and voice your concerns (in a calm, nonthreatening manner). Enough is enough. This is getting ridiculous. And you wonder why people leave Iowa and others aren't coming in. Read the writing on the wall. These types of bills are not a step backward, they're many steps backward. Restore Iowa to the state that's known for its stellar educational system, not for repression and theft of tax dollars.
03-07-2022
Elinor Levin []
Education is the key to everything. A person who feels comfortable with information and knows how to interpret communication, whether formal or informal, datadriven or emotional, is a person who can make decisions and advocate for themselves and those they care about. Quality education is not only what we owe to every child, but also what we owe to ourselves, to build communities full of people with different interests, skills, and areas of expertise. People who know their options and go after their dreams.To me, this means fully supporting public schools with public dollars, and fully supporting the expertise of those who work in the education system to set curriculum. Iowa's public schools are already dramatically underfunded, and this voucher program will scrape away more and more of the funds that are designated to provide a safe growth environment for EVERY kid in our state, regardless of county, parental involvement, or any other factors.
03-07-2022
Renee Obergfell []
Student first scholarships are just private school vouchers in disguise. School choice is readily available today, but what isnt available is visibility and accountability into what happens in private school settings. No public funds should ever be sent to private schools that cater to only 2% percent of school students and arent required to accept every student.Public funds for public schools. Please vote no on this school voucher bill.
03-07-2022
Cindy Garlock [Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education]
The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Directors would like to urge you to defeat House Study Bill 672. The Student First Scholarships proposed by this bill would be detrimental to the public schools of Iowa. This legislation would weaken support for our public school students. Rather than shifting scarce resources away from public schools, the State of Iowa should be promoting and fully investing taxpayer resources in public schools. In light of the recent passage of a meager 2.5% SSA, any further resources shifted away from public schools will seriously compromise the ability of our public schools to provide a high quality education to ALL Iowa students.Our public schools are held to high standards mandated by the state and federal government. Oversight of public schools is provided by locally elected school boards. These boards are accountable to the public, unlike the governing bodies of private schools. Private schools have no publicly elected oversight.Establishing a Student First Scholarship program, even if limited to ten thousand students, will lead to decreased funding for our public schools. It is our position that public tax dollars should be used to fund public schools. And only public schools. Unlike private schools, public schools provide a free education to all students, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Unlike private schools, public schools must follow all guidelines established by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individual with Disabilities Education Act. Unlike private schools, public schools must provide accountability and transparency to their community and to the State of Iowa. Private schools are not universally accessible by Iowa families. This legislation would benefit a few, at the expense of the many.By diverting 30% ($2,270) of the per pupil cost to rural districts, the legislature would be creating yet another inequity among Iowa school districts. We applaud you for recognizing and mitigating the existing inequities in transportation costs and per pupil spending. Creating this inequity seems counterproductive to your goals.Rather than diverting tax dollars to private entities, it is imperative to provide our public school with the resources they need. Public school funding has not kept up with costs in recent years. Our public schools need additional funding, not fewer resources. We believe that Iowa public schools provide a strong educational experience for all students. And that taxpayer funds should only be used for public education. House Study Bill 672 does not serve the majority of the families of Iowa and we encourage you to vote no on this legislation.David Tominsky, PresidentCindy Garlock, Vice PresidentJennifer Borcherding, DirectorNancy Humbles, DirectorDexter Merschbrock, DirectorJennifer Neumann, DirectorMarcy Roundtree, Director
03-07-2022
Mary Airy []
I am opposed to this legislation. Public dollars are to support public schools for a free and appropriate public education. Private schools in Iowa are not required to follow federal and state education standards. All Iowa public schools need the financial support appropriated by state legislators.
03-07-2022
Barb Ferris []
I strongly oppose school vouchers! What is so hard to understand about separation of church and state? Home schooling is primarily done for religious purposes as well. Public tax dollars should never go to private schools. The current Iowa legislators seem hell bent on being cruel to educators and pushing them out of a profession they chose for the love of kids and certainly not to get rich.
03-07-2022
Koopman Debbie []
I've always been proud to live in Iowa where education has always been ranked high. But now this whole change and thought process of using vouchers I believe is the destruction of what we have worked so many years to gain. Please don't do this. Our taxes are for the public schools. Free choice for those who want to use their own money to use a different School option. Please don't destroy our education system.
03-07-2022
Mary Nicholson []
Vouchers will take funds away from public schools. Private schools can choose which students they accept. Public schools accept all students. Vouchers often don't cover the entire cost of tuition in private schools which makes these schools inaccessible to low income families. Please support our public education system by not giving public funds to private schools.
03-07-2022
Kimberly Nyborg []
I am opposed to this bill as most constituents commenting here. My tax dollars should go to public schools as private schools make their money from tuition paid by those privileged enough to be able to attend. Any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money as a basis of separation of church and state.
03-07-2022
John Flanery [Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools]
I support this bill. People are using the same old and untrue argument that nonpublic schools don't want to take special needs students. We do want to take them but we don't receive the funding that follows them. Give us the students and give us the funds and we will raise that child up to their fullest potential. Additionally people will argue that we already have school choice because you can choose to pay for your private education if you want. How about that single parent working three jobs to raise two kids on $50,000 a year? What choice does that parent have? They have the public school choice only. True school choice will help lift many from poverty and the lower socioeconomic situations to give them a chance to go to college. Those that believe school choice is for the wealthy don't understand it. This is about giving kids and parents a chance to break out of their current family cycle. REAL SCHOOL CHOICE is supporting this bill to help the future of this country. A monopoly on public funds is holding these families down. They need a chance. Thank you for considering passing this bill to help young kids.
03-07-2022
Mrs. April Ament Ament []
Public money for public schools. I am opposed to funding private education with public education money.
03-07-2022
Mrs. April Ament [Colfax Mingo School District ]
Public money for public schools. I am opposed to funding private education with public education money.
03-07-2022
Randy Richardson []
I am writing in opposition to HSB 672. The state already provides plenty of resources for private schools in the form of textbook and transportation funding and in student tuition organizations. Public schools are desperate for funding. Public schools must take very student who wants to attend. That means they accept students from homes where English isn't the first language, where students are new to the country and where students have severe behavioral issues. Private schools take who they want. The eligibility requirements for a scholarship/voucher would allow students whose families make under 400% of the Federal Poverty Level to qualify for a voucher. 80% of Iowa families would qualify under this income requirement. Students on IEPs would also qualify, but most private schools don't even offer a special education program so that qualification would seem to be pretty pointless. Small, rural schools have been offered a "carrot" in the form of a Students First Supplement. It's wrong to fund some schools (to get them to support this bill) and not other schools. I taught in a small district so I know they are in need of funding, but not more than larger schools. I do wonder how local people are going to feel if this passed and the star athlete in the small public district is enticed via a scholarship to leave to play for private school that offers a better athletic team. Please vote against this bill.
03-07-2022
Colin Nies []
I am opposed to this bill. It would hurt children in special education who are not able to be served in private education. Furthermore, public money should be for public schools.
03-07-2022
Mary Kelley []
Please leave public tax money to public schools!
03-07-2022
Erica McGowan []
Im against HSB672 for many reasons, heres one: public funds require public accountability, transparency, and should be for public schools which are open to all students regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability. While public schools in the United States serve a student body that is approximately 51% white and 48.3% children of color (primarily Black and Latinx), nearly 75% of private school students are white, even in states where tax credit or voucher legislation has been implemented. This bill would disproportionately hurt students of color and benefit white students.
03-07-2022
Josephine O’Donnell []
I urge you to defeat HsB 672. Public money should go to public schools. When you defray and gut funding for public schools, you are hurting the communities in which theyre located. You hurt these towns ability to attract families and build the immunity identity and pride that comes from having a strong K12 school district among them. Our public schools have suffered for years under the underfunding of the Republicanled Legislature and governorship. Please stop.
03-07-2022
Janet Courtier []
Please vote NO to HBS672. Public funds should be used for public schools. Open enrollment is offered now so vouchers aren't necessary. Private schools are not held accountable the way public schools are for the funds they receive and rules they must follow. Please vote NO on HBS676.
03-07-2022
Dawn Chambers []
I strongly oppose this bill. Having watched the Iowa GOP deprive public schools of funding and stripping them of any bargaining power, to take this step and make the state's public school system even LESS viable is appalling. You will guarantee an even more dire teacher shortage and force more and more consolidations. PUBLIC FUNDS ARE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
03-07-2022
Deb Richards []
I am opposed to this legislation. Public funds belong to public schools. Education in Iowa is suffering and poverty in rural area is increasing. Dont take hope from our children and families. Yea
03-07-2022
Lora Fraracci []
I am wholly against this bill. Thedue diligence that the GOP puts forth towards these important pieces of legislation is sorely lacking. I do not trust the state GOP leadership to put out a well balanced detailed and thorough investigation or research to then make an informed decision enough write a bill. I simply do not trust them. The lack of attention and detail and investigation on this bill is a perfect example. It's like the Republican party of Iowa does not want to have educated children. Iowa education specifically public education has been going downhill and that is correlated with GOP leadership. They and the governor talk about trusting Iowans but only when it suits them. I trust our teachers administrators and school boards to do the wonderful and important work that they have continued to do. This bill is a farce. It is fascism and it is unamerican.
03-07-2022
Catelin Drey []
Public dollars are for public schools. Please let the disaster out privatization of Medicare in the state serve as yet another reminder that when public services are privatized, only the owner of said service benefits. We all benefit from a welleducated population and the easiest way to ensure that is by fully funding public schools.
03-07-2022
Jacqueline Jordan []
Please oppose the voucher bill. Keep private and public funding separate. Public schools are already on a shoestring budget with many fixed costs. Public dollars should not be going to private schools that are not held to the same criteria as public schools. I went to parochial schools my whole life and still dont agree with this bill. I want to get Iowa out from being #23 for education and back into the single digits. Thank you for listening.
03-07-2022
Debra Dorzweiler []
I am opposed to the "student scholarships" in this bill that would allow public money to follow students to private schools. Public schools benefit everyone because they help prepare students to become contributing members of society, becoming the doctors, lawyers, police officers, and business owners of the future. The argument that this will allow all students to attend a private school who want rings hollow, since the scholarships are not large enough to pay for the cost of tuition at a private school. Instead they would be used to subsidize those who can already afford to attend. Iowa has underfunded (or "defunded") public education for a number of years now. The current increase does not keep pace with inflation. These student scholarshipsanother name for voucherswill further erode funding for public schools. All Iowans will lose out if this bill is passed.
03-07-2022
Tyrel Drey []
Giving government funds to groups with little to no publicly elected oversight seems like a recipe for corruption. The pursuit of an educated electorate free from indoctrination should be a central tenant of any government. Allowing funds dedicated to public education to be redistributed to private organizations (that frequently already have ample parent or 3rd party funding) is prioritizing privilege over equality. This is especially counterproductive when many public school districts are already underfunded. I'm confused why a state with a tax surplus is pillaging a once proud educational tradition to transfer funds to schools with less oversight and no publicly elected governing body.
03-07-2022
Elaine Baughman []
Public tax dollars need to go to only public schools. There is a great amount of school choice in Iowa; this bill is not needed. This bill would give money to private schools which do not have to accept all students or abide by the same rules as public schools. Public tax dollars need to stay with public schools.
03-07-2022
Julie Aschenbrenner []
Public money for public schools!! You will decimate rural schools with this plan.
03-07-2022
LESLIE GOLDSMITH []
My spouse and I proudly sent our children through parochial school through 8th grade. We made sacrifices to afford the tuition. We knew our taxes helped support the fine public schools in our town the way it should be. I do not support using public funds for tuition for private schools where the public has no input (similar to school board, an elected position).
03-07-2022
Kathryn Robertson Hammer []
I am against creating a socalled school scholarship program that would use public funds for private schools.
03-07-2022
Cheri Sells []
I am opposed to this entire bill. Public money for public schools. School curriculum is already readily available to parents who ask for it. Teacher Librarians are an essential part of our children's education. Iowa is already short on educators, they should not have their credentialing changed. With a few exceptions there is no support for this bill from Iowans. Please shut this bill down.
03-07-2022
David Runneals []
I strongly oppose this bill. Not only does it take away valuable funding and resources that public schools critically need, like most everyone else here has commented, it opens the door for parents to force their children to be brainwashed into a religion that they don't believe in using government money. If you take a look at the pro choice comments, they all come from religious schools. The state has a responsibility to educate it's young citizens through public schools. Taking resources away from them would hurt them.
03-07-2022
Brian Connikc []
I am against HSB 672. Public money should not be used for private schools.
03-07-2022
Anita Christensen []
Please say no to HSB 672.I cant imagine a world where we dont value public education and the ability it offers to educate all of our citizens. An educated citizenry affords all of us better outcomes and future prosperity. I believe we owe it to our children to dig deep and find the pride we once held in Iowa for being at the top of public education. It saddens me that we would make Iowa a race to the bottom because there arent alternative opportunities for everyone. If we have schools that are not serving our students well, we are severely short sighted if we cant roll up our sleeves to find solutions instead of throwing up our hands in defeat. People voted for you to solve problems.Public schools are the heart of communities and we face the demise of more small towns when we deliberately harm public education. And we harm public education when we put targets on the backs of teachers. There is so much in this bill that is just plain unnecessary. Teachers are not our enemies. A wide range of research shows that private school voucher programs are an ineffective use of public funds.https://pfps.org/research/?fbclid=IwAR0ly3i7vuYax9Pu1tXlGdSaLthfn6xXaU8IpGbTFvY78vWeEoYyCkX0
03-07-2022
Teale Burford []
Public dollars must stay with out public institutions. If we fully funded and treated our public schools with the respect due to institutions that shape generations of minds, our leaders of tomorrow, there would be fewer failing schools. Even further underfunding our public schools with this asinine voucher system will cripple an already faltering system due to existing underfunding, overreach of the GOP policies that police what we can and can't say in the classroom, and overall policies driven by a divisive GOPmajority agenda that favors the few over the many driving educators out of our state. Fully fund our public schools!A public school teacher of 11 years
03-07-2022
Elisabeth Ross []
Private schools should not receive public money. They are not held to the same standards as public schools, can turn students away, and create an environment that does not support the separation of church and state. Instead of sending public money to private schools, use that money to continue to enhance our public schools.
03-07-2022
Teale Burford []
Public dollars must stay with out public institutions. If we fully funded and treated our public schools with the respect due to institutions that shape generations of minds, our leaders of tomorrow, there would be fewer failing schools. Even further underfunding our public schools with this asinine voucher system will cripple an already faltering system due to existing underfunding, overreach of the GOP policies that police what we can and can't say in the classroom, and overall policies driven by a divisive GOPmajority agenda that favors the few over the many driving educators out of our state. Fully fund our public schools!A public school teacher of 11 years
03-07-2022
Sara Allen []
I oppose this bill and any bill that takes funding away from public schools. Private schools do not have the same oversight as Public schools. They do not follow the same rules. Students do not learn more simply because they are at a Private school. To truly change education, fund DYSLEXIA testing, training, and teachers for all K3rd grades.
03-07-2022
Michels Amanda []
Opposed! Please consider fullyfunding public schools first. Public schools will not be able to keep up with inflation. Iowa is under the national average in perpupal spending. If the vouchers were really meant to benefit those in poverty, it would stop at %125 of poverty level for eligibility, not 400%! A family with a combined income of over $100,000 should not been considered for a voucher. Period. Families living in poverty will not benefit from this! The tuition would still be out of reach for those familieswho exactly is this bill REALLY meant to benefit?
03-07-2022
K Neiber []
I do not support this bill and beg everyone to vote NO! Others have elequently stated all the exact reasons that this horrible bill should not be passed. Support all Iowa students and public schools by voting NO!!
03-07-2022
Casey McMurray []
I am opposed to this bill. Public funds should be for public schools. Parents have the choice nowto send students to private schools should that be the option they chose for their children. Iowa has always prided itself on the public schools in our state. Public schools educate all kids and are held accountable to the education of their students by their local school boards. To give public funds to private schools who have no accountability anddo not have to educate all kids would be a misuse of public funds.
03-07-2022
Jane Downs []
I am strongly opposed to this bill. Private schools do not have to meet standards that public schools do and can pick and choose who they accept. They do not have to provide services to students with an IEP. There is no way they should receive public money. We need to make public schools stronger with adequate funding (such as at least providing as much as the cost of living increases each year). Parents already have a choice to send their kids to a school of their choice. This is just funding private schools at the expense of public school students.
03-07-2022
Amber Evans []
Public funds are for public schools.
03-07-2022
Steve Hill []
I appose this bill. Republican state legislators pushing for vouchers is a racist tactic to undermine the fundamental promise of a highquality, equitable education for all students. Continued underfunding of public schools by these same legislators meant the resources needed to ensure student and staff safety in the pandemic werent there.
03-07-2022
Allison Larson []
I am opposed to many parts of this bill, but particularly to the students first scholarships. Public funds should stay at public schools and should be increased. I remember when Iowa Education was at the top. I worked in college admissions out of state and students who were from Iowa were considered top picks. That is sadly not the case anymore. Please fund Iowa's public schools, that is how we put students first!Parent of a public school student
03-07-2022
Michelle Breitwisch []
I oppose this bill. I even send my kids to private school and I do not want this bill to pass. This bill will not help us personally as we probably won't qualify and it wouldn't cover all the costs of tuition.
03-07-2022
Lisa McGrane []
Please support our public schools and vote no for vouchers. Please fully fund our public schools. If Iowa wants to grow we need to protect our public schools and teachers.
03-07-2022
Lisa Stange []
Iowa parents already have choice. Public dollars belong to public schools. They seve ALL students and follow state guidelines and testing. As a lifelong educator AND Republican, I ask you to vote AGAINST this bill.
03-07-2022
Nicole Kuhl []
I strongly oppose this bill! We need to do better to fund public schools. Not take away the already dwindling resources they have. If you want our state to be the best, we have to invest in the public school system.
03-07-2022
Kaycee Schippers []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money should stay in public schools! Private schools are not required to administer standardized testing and they are not held to the same standards as public schools. And to offer 30% of the funding to small rural schools is nothing more than a shameful bribe! STOP TRYING TO DESTROY OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!
03-07-2022
Melissa Chiprez []
Im opposed to this bill. Public money is for public schools. Stop the attack on public schools and get into our public schools to help be a part of the solution. I encourage and invite you to spend a single day in public schools before you misappropriate our funding.
03-07-2022
William Perrott []
I am opposed to this bill. Public dollars need to go to public education. Public dollars should serve all students, not just those that private schools choose to admit. Public schools are required to admit and serve all students. This legislation would divert public funds to nonpublic schools, who are not required to adhere to this principle of equity. Public money should be subject to public oversight, and should require accountability and transparency. Private school spending is not transparent, and private school administration is not publicly accountable. Even within this bill, the new transparency requirements on curriculum only apply to public schools, not to those private schools that would receive more taxpayer money through this bill. Nonpublic schools are not held to the same standards for transparency as public schools. The absence of public accountability for public funds could contribute to waste and fraud of taxpayer dollars. This bill will greatly harm public education in Iowa.
03-07-2022
Shannon Patrick []
If we voters don't like how our public schools are run, there is already a way to fix that: by working with or campaigning for our publicly elected school boards. Giving our public money to private school boards that are not publicly accountable is both undemocratic and bad policy. I want my kids to have good schools, not to have the choice between poorlyfunded public schools and unaccountable public ones. I've seen how that plays out in the South, and it's bad.
03-07-2022
Tracey Till [BCSD]
Oppose House Study Bill 672, the Governors Students First Scholarship program. The program diverts public dollars away from public schools and gives them to nonpublic schools. Student first scholarships are private school vouchers. Plain and simple. Not only does this proposal eliminate a level playing field for all Iowa kids, it will also close more rural schools. Public schools continue to face historic challenges, so we should be investing in our public schools. #NoVoucherIA
03-07-2022
Kathryn Brendecke []
Please do not bring these "scholarships" to Iowa. My decision to move to the area was not only driven by the employment opportunities, but also the excellent public education available for my family. Implementing a voucher system here would undermine the public education system, damaging the future for my children as well as thousands of others across Iowa. I grew up in Milwaukee and still have family in the area; I've seen the damage a voucher system can do. Please avoid making those same mistakes here.
03-07-2022
Sharon Poplawski []
I strongly support public funds for public schools. When someone chooses to send a child to private school,it is their responsibility to pay the cost of that private education. In addition, public schools need to be properly funded, Iowa's children are Iowa's future.
03-07-2022
Sharon Poplawski []
I strongly support public funds for public schools. When someone chooses to send a child to private school,it is their responsibility to pay the cost of that private education. In addition, public schools need to be properly funded, Iowa's children are Iowa's future.
03-07-2022
Kahri Plein []
As a constituent, Iowa citizen, parent, and teacher, I do not support this bill. It has many problematic parts, but the most glaring is the vouchers. Research shows that voucher systems do not increase achievement, can cause segregation, and do little for some of our most vulnerable students. Public money should be used to fund public schools. Public schools are already underfunded so it is puzzling that legislation would allocate public funds for education in a private system. The argument that this will help those who cant afford private education has been proven wrong in other states with vouchers. Education of ALL citizens is so vital to thriving communities. This voucher system will incentivize white flight, furthering segregation in our schools. It is a step backwards, when we could instead choose to fund public education and step forward into better schools and stronger communities. I think the fact that this bill is being voted on by the Appropriations Committee rather than the Education Committee speaks volumes. It does not and should not have support because it is not sound policy. Many of the additional divisions of this bill appear to be focused on undermining public education and public school teachers. This is abhorrent. Our Iowa children are our hope for the future. What could be more important?
03-07-2022
Holly Waltz []
I am opposed to this bill. The state needs to fund public education not private. All children have a right to receive a public education. We do not have money to fund private schools, too. Also, there will still be students who are geographically not able to use one of your scholarships. By taking money away from public education you are hurting Iowas education for all children. We used to be known for our education of all of our students. Lets get back to that and pledge to do better for all not a select few
03-07-2022
Jean Schilling []
Public tax payer dollars need to stay with publicly elected oversight! No tax revenues should be diverted to private schools! Oppose this bill please!!!
03-07-2022
Herring Marie []
I oppose this bill in its entirety. We have underfunded our public educational system for years now. We need to treat our teachers as the professionals they are! They are the experts; listen to them, support them, fund them!
03-07-2022
Pete Waltz []
I oppose this bill. Lets put our money into our public education system that serves all students not a select few. Our educational system in Iowa has been our foundation of our state. Iowa used to be regarded as one of the top educational states in the United States. In the last 10 years our states government has looked for ways to dismantle our educational system. This bill is one of those ways. How about we fully fund our public educational schools in Iowa and lets get behind our states teachers and show them that we care about them, our children, and our public schools, and the future of Iowa!
03-08-2022
Donella Pauli []
I have written repeatedly that I am against school vouchers, scholarships, or whatever our governor wants to call them. Public tax dollars should support public schools! End of discussion!
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Jesse Wilcox [University of Northern Iowa]
I am opposed to this bill. Research indicates vouchers and private schools weaken the public school system creating inequities. Further, private schools often fail to live up to expectations. Numerous states have moved to private schools and have found many problematic issues with them. For example, my sister works in a private school in Colorado and they are shutting down the school after this year due to low enrollment. Private schools often choose which students that take leaving out students who need special education services and students that have additional needs. The public schools serve all students. We need to keep them strong and funded. We already have open enrollment. This bill creates problems rather than solving them.
03-08-2022
Traci Burns []
I am opposed to this bill. Parents can already choose where to send their children, and if they choose private schools, they should pay for it. This bill would negatively affect students who are already marginalized by their race, income, language, special needs, and more. It would also starve many districts that are already grossly underfunded by Iowa's leaders. It is time we do what is best for our kidsour futureand stop playing games with their opportunities and their futures.
03-08-2022
Tracy Anderson []
This bill is wrong for so many reasons! Private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools. They can turn away students including special needs students if they dont feel they can meet their needs. MY tax money should go to an educational institution that accepts ALL students, not just the ones they want! Parents have a choice. If they choose a private school, they should pay for it (and often they can afford it). VOTE NO!
03-08-2022
Grant Elsbernd []
I oppose this bill, public money is for public schools, not private schools. I also oppose schools having to post everything before the school year starts. How is a new teacher supposed to post a years worth of work on the school website before they even get their first paycheck?
03-08-2022
Ellyn Grimm []
Please turn your attention toward supporting and investing in public education.
03-08-2022
Michael Tutty []
This is a shameful, redundant, and thoroughly unAmerican idea. There are already plenty of books that do not appear in school libraries, and there are already people to whom engaged parents can turn to question books that are included or excluded.I thought Republicans were the party of small government? Let the districts manage their libraries, like we should have let them manage their COVID responses.
03-08-2022
Kathy Avey []
I am against school vouchers. I was told by Senator Whitver in a campaign email that 34 public schools in Iowa were underperforming. The money tax payers pay must go to bring these schools up to standard and giving every child a chance at excellence in our public schools. Private schools are just that private. They do mot have to account to the public where and how their money is spent and who they teach. If parents believe it is a priority then they can pay or look to private foundations set up for that very reason to help with tuition.
03-08-2022
Deanna Warren []
I have listened to the supposed justification for this and find it to be so disheartening. Being able to send children to "better" schools? When did we lose focus on making ALL schools "BETTER"? Show me any Iowa Child that doesn't deserve a quality education. I will be so disappointed in our State if this goes through. Our children deserve better. Please, don't allow this to pass.Thank you
03-08-2022
Bridget Carberry Montgomery []
I urge you not to support this bill. It will have significant negative impacts on our public schools. Vouchers/ESAs are bad for Iowa. There cannot be competition when both sides do not play by the same rules. The other provisions of this bill undermine teachers and school administrators do the jobs they were trained for, which is to reach each student where they are on any given day . Please vote no. Support our public schools and teachers.
03-08-2022
Jeffrey Fahrmann []
I support HSB 672. My wife and I are lifelong Iowans and parents of three children in the Ankeny school district. Iowa families deserve a choice when it comes to their childrens education. We need to remember that public funds dont belong to public schools, they belong to the taxpayers who paid them. The proposed bill is a great first step towards providing families a choice on where they spend their tax dollars when it comes to kids education. Fund STUDENTS, not institutions that are often influenced by special interest political groups! We also need common sense legislation to protect children from being exposed to pornographic materials in public schools. Parents have a right to keep their kids from being exposed to sexual content! We need to stop the sexualization of our youth. Lastly, requiring students to pass a citizenship test as a condition of graduation seems like a no brainer. We need to promote the importance of U.S. citizenship and this is one way to encourage that.
03-08-2022
Emily Bartekoske []
This bill stands against everything that a public education should be. Education used to mean something in Iowa, but if this bill is passed, it will just be one more nail in the coffin of the education standards that we used to hold dear. This bill is discriminatory and unjust. Public funds for public schools only!
03-08-2022
Matthew Bailey []
I am opposed to this bill. It harms public schools.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Anderson []
I am opposed to this bill. Public education needs to be funded by tax dollars and private school is a choice and should be paid for by the parents, and only the parents. Every kid has the right to go to public school and we should not be taking away funding from these schools that are already underfunded to give to private schools. Let's keep our funding out of private industry, including schools.
03-08-2022
Sandy Darveau []
I am opposed to this bill.
03-08-2022
Michelle Law-Grother []
Hout Jane I am opposed to this bill that would give public school money to private schools. Parents have a choice to send their child to a school of their choice already. If they choose a private school then they choose to pay for it. Some private schools do not accept some students, such as a special needs child if they can not adequately meet the needs of that child. Also private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public schools to meet some state standards. I believe in our rural schools and this bill would even further jeopardize our already underfunded schools. These kids are the future workforce of Iowa. By weakening public schools, you are weakening our workforce and the strength of our state. Private schools should not receive public school money. Furthermore, any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money as a basis of separation of church and state.Vote no to dismantling public schools.
03-08-2022
Susan Rixe []
Vote no on this bill! Public funds for public schools only!
03-08-2022
Day Peace []
I OPPOSE THIS BILL. ARE YOU SERIOUS
03-08-2022
Michele Espe []
I am sorely disappointed the education system produced such a blatantly shameless group of people that do not understand or undermine the need to use public tax monies for public usage. Public dollars should only go to public schools, that teach for the whole of society. Starving education of funds, resources, and respect is merely the destruction of of democracy from within. I strongly oppose this heinously ill conceived bill. And will do everything in my power to bolster opposition to all that vote for such idiocy.
03-08-2022
Jessica Little []
Public funds should go to public schools.
03-08-2022
Nicole Hildenbrand-Elgin []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money needs to be spent on public schools. Private schools are not required to assist kids with an IEP. I am a parent of a child with a disability and a private school can deny his application for enrollment based on his disability alone. It is also important to let teachers And education professionals decide the curriculum as they are the experts in this field. Vote no on this bill.
03-08-2022
Shelley Skuster []
As elected officials, you are obligated to be good stewards of taxpayer money. This bill does not align with that commitment. Whether you personally agree with it or not, public money belongs in public schools. Period.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Gardner []
I am opposed to this bill. Public schools educate most of Iowans. Those that want to attend private school, should pay for it at their expense. This bill will damage public schools. Competition between the public and private sector isn't equal. I also know that local school board have local control over books. That's how it should remain. My student has 2 English classes this semester, and both teachers offered options if students/ parents wanted more details on the books offered.
03-08-2022
Brian Chisholm []
Vote no! Public funds for Public schools only as it always has been. You want to elect to send a child to private schools then you make the choice to pay it yourself. No book banning either. You want to be involved as a parent then join the pta and or school board enough government overreach. Vote NO!!
03-08-2022
Helen Smith []
I am opposed to HBS 672. Public money should be for public schools only. If vouchers do go to private schools, then those schools should be held to the same standards as public schools and provide all of the services public schools offer. Also, private schools should not be allowed to counsel out students who are low academic achievers. The state should also stay away from book banning and changing any curriculum that their political party wants to whitewash. Public schools are for all Iowans. If parents have a concern, then they should parent not expect the state to do their job. Although not in this billfully fund our public schools and pay our teachers!
03-08-2022
Barbara Sullivan []
I am opposed to school vouchers and support spending public money on public schools only!
03-08-2022
Ashley Lappe []
I vehemently oppose this bill. Public money belongs in public schools. Studies have shown, as well as other states, that this system does not work. We already have an underfunded public school system and this would just draw more resources from that pool. Please vote no.
03-08-2022
Randi Gault []
We all know Student First is code for student last. While our legislature and governor have been stressing the importance of "choice" during this pandemic, they're trying to set the complete opposite into stone by essentially legalizing taking taxpayer and student choice away. Public tax dollars should go towards public schools where there's oversight, not privatized education where there is none and discriminates even more than our so called leaders are trying to do in public schools by controlling curriculum and books in the library. You can't sit there and say you trust in Iowans to do the right thing then up and control their education like you automatically know what's best for them. This bill will only harm young minds and will only lead to more of our best and brightest leaving the state as soon as they're able. What hurts their future hurts all of us.
03-08-2022
Diane and Tim Walrod [Retired educators]
Our children attended both public and private schools. We had choices and willingly paid for that choice. Our daughter with special needs could not be served in a private school. My husband and I are retired public educators with 11 grandchildren,attending both private and public schools. We believe in the separation church and state. We are devastated at Republican attempts to underfund and undermine public schools and teachers. Please support public schools and teachers by not passing HSB 672 bill.
03-08-2022
Tiffany Welch []
I oppose hsb 672. Public money going to private schools, especially without accountability to taxpayers, is against the public good. Parents can already talk to their students teachers to find out what curriculum is being taught, including books. Parents have lots of choices, no need to hurt other families by removing money from public schools.
03-08-2022
Phillip Lee []
I oppose this bill for many reasons.
03-08-2022
Jaimee Nicolino []
Like the vast majority of Iowans I am OPPOSED to HSB 672. Public dollars are for public education.
03-08-2022
Michaela Crann []
I am opposed to HSB 672 for many reasons, but most importantly public monies should stay in public schools. Our public school system in Iowa is already underfunded and taking more money away could be crippling. We already have a great school choice option with openenrollment, which many families are using. We should not be changing endorsement requirements for teacherlibrarians. We should not be banning books deemed to be controversial who would be making the decision on what is considered controversial and what would that protocol look like? This bill is a slap in the face to public educators and school systems.
03-08-2022
Lisa Griffith Tierney []
I oppose this bill. Our public funds should not go to private schools but to public schools and improving our public schools system. The private school voucher concept only benefits a fraction of students and is not equitable. This bill must not be passed.
03-08-2022
Bridy Shepard []
I do not support anything in this bill. Please remove it. We do not want to get in the habit of writing bills that fund the private sector. Will all our children have equal access and ability to attend these private schools? No government regulations? If not, then I do not want my tax dollars funding this. Makes no sense.
03-08-2022
Mary Rickert []
I oppose this bill. Tax dollars are for public schools. As a retired teacher, I know public schools are underfunded as it is. Private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools and can be discriminatory towards students they do not wish to include. The underfunding of public schools has been going on for far too long. This bill is not healthy for Iowa education.
03-08-2022
Pat Hoffman []
I oppose this bill for many reasons, but undermining Public Schools is my biggest concern.
03-08-2022
Sharon Falduto []
Public money should be used for public schools, not to give coupons to parents to use for private schools. How does that help students in rural school districts with no access to schools? Iowa should be a proud education state, not a state that gives money to private schools who aren't accountable to the public.
03-08-2022
Judy Schumacher []
Our public schools are in such desperate need right now to keep the teachers and hire more teachers to educate our children. The governor has chosen to give more money and funds to these private schools,while letting our funding for public schools go down every year. Students in public education deserve our tax dollars so they get good education also. Please please use OUR tax dollars for public schools. The private schools have unlimited funding. Our taxes are to be spent on education for those kiddos in public schools and thats what we pay taxes for. Vetoe this bill ASAP
03-08-2022
Robyn Agu []
I am opposed to this bill, public dollars need to be used for public schools. Banning curriculum from our schools has the potential to affect AP courses that are available to our high school students. If Iowa is trying to get businesses to come and invest in Iowa our public schools have to be well funded to attract these businesses.
03-08-2022
Jannelle McGee []
I am opposed to this bill. I believe that public money should be for public schools not private schools. Private schools seem to have plenty of funds for things they need while public schools are continuously struggling for the basics and my tax dollars are intended to support the common good, all the children especially those that cannot afford the private schools.Furthermore, I am opposed to another graduate requirement for citizenship. If we want graduates that are employable in the workforce we need to choose graduate requirements more in line with this goal. My son is already having to spend an entire term on Financial Literacy which I thought was a good idea, but after discussing it with him it seems like it could be a section of another class and might actually be a waste of time for an entire term. Please start passing legislation to actually improve Iowa public schools instead of ruining them and forcing good teachers to leave the profession.
03-08-2022
Patricia Prijatel []
I am opposed. This bill hurts rural students the most, but it hurts the whole state. Make Iowa proud. Support our public schools by fully funding them. Public money should go to public schools.
03-08-2022
Beth Wilderman []
I am opposed to using public dollars to support private education. I send my child to a private school by choice but I would never want my tax dollars to be used for private education. Parents who do not have the economic means to send their children to private schools have many private sources to help with paying for a private education if they wish. Most private schools have tuition assistance and scholarships to help people who want to choose a private education who cannot afford it. There is no need for tax dollars to support private schools. Public education is for the public good, and tax dollars should never be siphoned off for private schools at the expense of public education. I am also opposed to any bill that gives the state the right to censor what a community deems should be taught in public schools. Please don't be like Florida and other states that are shamefully gagging teachers and engaging in hysteria over topics like race and sexual orientation. Iowa is better than that. Don't succumb to the hysteria; this is a madeup crisis that does not require state intervention. Leave what schools teach to local communities to determine. Thank you for considering my comments.
03-08-2022
Marianne Satinsky []
I am against using public school only for vouchers and against any action against the school libraries. Knowledge is power and the more you read the more you know and are able to learn logic and open mindedness.ioea has had a steady decline e in our schools since the 80s. More money shod be forschools and teachers, and thwy should be able to decide how it is used.
03-08-2022
Gene Stevens []
Neither Our children or our money are the property of the state. If we learned anything over the last two years, it's that public schools are a bureaucracy that operates as it wishes, when it wants to and how it wants to. The actions of school districts during covid proved that schools had assumed too much leverage over families and our children. Let's not forget that unwarranted panic created a situation in which legislators had to create law to get our kids back into school, while school administration and school unions refused to cooperate. Parents flooded school board meetings in defense of their children when masking requirements and the actions of over zealous staff and board members became too much for families to tolerate. The last two years has been one the most trying and eye opening for parents. We also asked that CRT or any of variation of CRT not be taught in the schools. And yet, once again, we were ignored. This bill is about giving choices over our children and our finances. I stand in total support of school choice and I vehemently reject public authority controlling how families tax dollars are spent on education.
03-08-2022
Mindy Kimball-Gerritson []
I am opposed to this bill. We should be funding our public schools not taking money from them so a few elite families can send their kids to private school. Parents also already have access to their children's education/teachers. Enough with the censorship.
03-08-2022
ellen hansen []
I oppose this stufy bill. To dum it up, Putin would like this bill.
03-08-2022
Heidi Gojkovich []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money for public schools!
03-08-2022
Jennifer French []
I am against this bill. PUBLIC MONEY should be used to fund PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This bill will hurt public education and continue to hurt the education system in our state.
03-08-2022
Joe Stutler []
Book banning is stupid and antithetical to our American values. Those proposing and supporting such legislation should be taken outside and shot.
03-08-2022
Cara Muta []
I am opposed to this bill. ALL schools supported by these savings accounts should be held to the same standards. They should ALL have to follow the same protocols for transparency. ALL students should have the same accessibility and option to enroll which private schools do not have to follow. Ultimately this is discriminatory.
03-08-2022
Christie Wicks []
Vote NO on this bill. Vouchers will destroy public education. Public money is for public schools.
03-08-2022
Sharon Martinez []
Im against HSB672 for many reasons: 1. Public accountability and transparency for all public funds Please say no to fraud, waste and abuse of tax payer dollarsstates that have adopted vouchers are seeing millions of dollars wasted in private and charter school fraud what type of accountability has been set up to review how Iowa tax dollars are spent in the private sector?2. Public schools are open to all students regardless of race, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, and disability. While public schools in the United States serve a student body that is approximately 51% white and 48.3% children of color (primarily Black and Latinx), nearly 75% of private school students are white, even in states where tax credit or voucher legislation has been implemented. This bill would disproportionately hurt students of color and benefit white students.3. Community governance public schools are accountable to a publicly elected school board. Private school are not accountable to the local community. 4. States that are currently using vouchers have not seen a benefit for their underserved population. Test scores show no significant increases for these students and often reflect a decrease. 5. Iowa currently outperforms states that have implemented vouchers. Please vote NO on this bill.
03-08-2022
Gretchen Brown-Waech []
I am opposed to this bill for a number of reasons. In the interest of brevity, I will enumerate only a few. While I support parents in having a choice of where their children are educated, mechanisms already exist for lower income families to choose to send their children to private schools. There is a false use of "low income families" to push this bill, while simultaneously underfunding the very public schools that these families already attend.Additionally, the provisions requiring educators to post the details of their course of instruction prior to the start of the school year hinders the finelyhoned ability to flex the lessons to the needs of the students, emerging strategies, and the changes to their social and physical environment. Handcuffing educators to a predetermined set of lessons and materials is bad for all students. Like the "school choice" issue, there already exists a mechanism for parents to know what teachers are teaching and what materials they are using asking questions and getting involved in their child's school. Finally, the provision regarding removal of materials from school libraries ignores the fact that school librarians are highly trained professionals with the ability to discern age and developmentally appropriate materials. A parent already has multiple avenues available to them to make requests for materials to be reviewed by the librarian and/or the administration. Teachers (including librarians) are highly trained professionals. Either we trust that highly trained professionals are competent to make good decisions for our children, or we remove them from the rolls and teach them ourselves. If parents truly believe that the school is not educating their children appropriately and that they are more qualified to do so, they already have the option to home school. Iowa was once a shining standard for public education. Today, I am ashamed to say that is no longer true not because of the incredible educators who go above and beyond to care for and about their students while meeting and exceeding arbitrary educational requirements, but because of the systematic erosion of the support for our public schools by our elected officials.
03-08-2022
Shara Bradley [Select...]
I oppose this bill.Public schools are immensely important to our communities. We need to support them not restrain them. Books belong the the school library, even controversial ones that require students to think constructively about a topic. Public money should stay in public schools.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Sparks []
Public money belongs in public schools. Ive had my children attend both, they started at private schools and now are at public ones. If you want your child to go to a private school use your own money. Cant afford it? Thats ok, they have a lot of resources and help to make it happen. They are more than willing to help you with this if they want you there. My husband is a maintenance man and I was a lunch lady. We were able to afford it without a voucher. This bill is devastating to our public schools.
03-08-2022
Penny Milburn []
I am against this bill. Division II creates a burden on private schools to provide special education services in accordance with federal regulations. Only a few teachers in private schools have the knowledge and skills to provide competent instruction. It also creates a tremendous burden on the AEAs to /support parents, teachers and private schools to provide a free and appropriate public education. Private school normally do not have special education teachers or classroom let alone the appropriate materials. I know the legislature is very concerned about approbate materials! The bill doesn't specify that these private schools must be accredited leaving the door one for poor instruction and monitoring. This bill creates a heavy burden on the Department with apparently no additional funding to support staff. The local district must provide some instruction without funding since the bulk of the funding goes to the private school. This practice already occurs two some degree based on the goodness of the public schools to serve all children. Private schools can and discriminate based on sexual orientation, religion, race etc. The final division on competent instruction if flawed as the AEA is taken out of the picture. By federal and state law the AEA is responsible and may be cited for not providing special education services. They are also held accountable for the achievement of students on and IEP.Requiring districts to publish all materials that each teacher uses is an extreme burden that will not achieve your goal of informing parents. Districts currently have protocols for handling parent complaints. At anytime a parent may contact the teacher, principal, superintendent or school board to get information and/or register a complaint about materials used. Before passing such legislation examine the data regarding the number of parent complaints to a teacher, principal, superintendent or board to determine the need for such legislation.
03-08-2022
Kris Mesicek Anderson []
I am opposed to HSB 672. Iowa used to be proud of our public schools. We used to be in the top three states in the national rankings. But after over 10 years of underfunding, our schools have plummeted to 27th in the nation. Governor Reynold's proposal to use our tax dollars to fund school vouchers is just another ALEC copy cat initiative that is not driven by the actual needs of the majority of Iowans. All across the nations, we have seen the negative affects of vouchers for use in poorly regulated private schools. The data shows that voucherfunded schools do NOT provide higher quality education. In many cases, vouchers simply siphon public tax dollars into the pockets of profiteers and further strangle public schools. Other elements in this bill insult our duly elected school boards and fly in the face of Iowa's long...and proud...tradition of local control. This bill attacks school boards and educators with a series of punitive requirements and penalties that have been manufactured by radical groups outside of Iowa. It panders to groups external to Iowa and insults Iowans who are fully capable of addressing the issues within their local schools. Respect Iowans. Respect Local Control. Respect the values of Iowans. Vote NO on this destructive bill. Thank you.
03-08-2022
Katie Champlin []
I oppose this legislation as written. Keep school curriculum, books, and instructional content in local control. A one size fits all model for the entire state doesnt give parents choice it instead removes that choice and leaves it up to the state. If parents want to know what is going on in their schools, they should engage in conversation with their childs school and look at the resources that have always been available to them through school improvement committees, school board meetings and district websites. Iowa has always proudly slowed for local control, but this is the opposite.
03-08-2022
Deborah McMahon [DMEA Retired ]
No public money should be stolen from public funds for public education. That money is for public education and not for vouchers. Your goal should be to support public schools, teachers and students. To do less is despicable!
03-08-2022
Amber Gustafson []
Public money for public schools. Please vote NO on this bill.
03-08-2022
Terry Meek []
Public funds for public schools only. We should not legislate the books availabe in libraries.
03-08-2022
Brittania Morey []
As a parent of a public school student, a community member and a tax payer I oppose this bill. Public dollars should ONLY be spent on public schools. Private schools are not held to the same standards, do not have to show the same transparency, and are allowed to be selective in the students they admit. Our public tax dollars should go to support our public schools, which make our communities stronger. 97% of Iowa students attend pubic schools. In many communities the schools are the heart and soul of the community, they are what bring people to town and keep them there. They are the source of pride and the second home and safe space for many students. This state has already underfunded our public schools this bill would direct more funding away from public schools.This bill will NOT help low income families as has been claimed. It will also not provide special education students with choice as private schools are not equipped to educate students with special needs and often deny admission to students with an IEP OR worse, coordinate with the public school for those services.This bill is bad for Iowa schools, big and small. Parents have choice in this state. Open enrollment is very easy between districts and the state should be investing in the public school system. When I went through the Iowa public education system we were leading the nation in education. Now we are 24th in the country due to underfunding and antieducation policies. You should be ashamed of yourselves. Do better. You have a surplus spend it on public schools. Raise Iowa back up to the level of education we once were proud of.
03-08-2022
Jesse Richardson-Jones []
I oppose this bill and any bill that would divert public money into private schools. Public money belongs in public schools, where there is accountability, transparency, and federal protections for students with disabilities. Parents have the choice to send their children to private schools, just as they have the choice to use a private country club rather than a public parkbut there is no reason the tax payers should fund that choice. Please vote no on this bill.
03-08-2022
Jo ann Sadler []
I oppose this bill. Public funds should be used for public schools. Vouchers will hurt public schools that are already underfunded.
03-08-2022
Jan Flora [Iowa State University]
With the huge tax cut just passed by the legislature and an anemic increase in school spending this year (2.5% when inflation is running at 7%), this is definitely NOT the time to further drain appropriations for our public schools by providing scholarships to students attending private schools. This hurts both rural and urban schools. Please vote no on HSB 672.
03-08-2022
Elijah Stines []
Entities receiving public funds need to be fully accountable to the public. Public dollars must only go to public schools. Furthermore, we need to stop micromanaging daily activities in individual schools from the state legislature. My local school board is imminently more qualified to make decisions and is immediately accountable to local voters on a daily basis.
03-08-2022
Wendy Snelling []
I would ask that you vote NO to this bill. Iowa use to be known for our excellent education and this will take from them when they are already underfunded and stressed. I just read an article, which I've included, that lists Iowa as one of the top states for people moving out of. This bill right here, will push that further. We need to bring Iowa back to be a leader in education not a state that defunds it for profits. Please vote no. https://thehill.com/changingamerica/resilience/smartcities/596930mainebecomesmostmovedtostateafterpandemic?fbclid=IwAR3u1aiRniRghMSHc6pW0ofRNasb6aFqRqaulWoB7xVcPIK0Kva1ivA2qo
03-08-2022
Rebecca Truszkowski []
If people wish to send their children to private schools they should pay for that privilege. Your choice of personnal indoctrination is your responsibility. Public education serves the community as a whole.
03-08-2022
Miriam Righter []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money for public schools. Many private schools will not accept students with disabilities! It is wrong to use public money to support them in their discrimination. I am also opposed to the censorship of libraries. Parents can already control what their kids' read by setting limits. No need to limit OTHER parents' choices for their kids.
03-08-2022
JILL PURCELL []
School choice is a misnomer. Iowa already has private schools and very lenient homeschooling laws. What this does is take public funds badly needed by the only schools required to educate any child in their district and also to provide education to students under IDEA. As a parent with one of these students, we would likely not have a choice about sending my child to a private school as they can choose who they admit. My child needs a public education and this bill will do nothing but give my tax dollars to private schools that most likely would not even accept him. Additionally, the requirements put on teachers are not the way to attract and retain quality teachers. Frankly, public education is one of the few things that attracts people to this state and this bill will greatly damage that and our ability to attract people. For an aging state like Iowa, this would be very detrimental to our economy.
03-08-2022
Whitney Mixdorf []
As the parent of children in both public and private schools, I firmly believe that public money should stay with public schools. ESPECIALLY if the private schools wont be subject to the same regulations and standards as our public schools. Public schools are here to serve EVERY student, with zero discrimination against minorities and children with disabilities. If private schools are still able to reject students at will then they shouldnt be eligible for any public funding.
03-08-2022
Erin Gill []
I oppose public money going to private schools in ANY capacity. The governor already reduced funding and with two children about to enter public school and another currently attending this will negatively impact them.I also find it ridiculous to legislate what is taught in classrooms based on objective terms like controversial. Citizenship happens when accurate history and accountability are taught.
03-08-2022
Ericka Raber []
Please keep public money in public schools. Please continue to recognize the value of having trained, certified library staff in school districts. Certified school librarians make a positive difference in student learning.Thank you.
03-08-2022
Marla Mayberry []
I am opposed to Public tax dollars being used for private education. Iowa already has school choice private schools, open enrollment & transparency into curriculum and state standards. Our tax dollars should fund our public schools, which are preparing our next generation of workers. If wr don't have a solid educational foundation, our workforce and economy will falter if not fail. Keep public money for public schools & all books in our school libraries so students can learn & expand their horizons.
03-08-2022
Joan Marttila []
I oppose this bill. Public money goes to public entities, like schools. There are already mechanisms in place to help with selection of materials. And, for the citizenship test, I am quite sure there are many under the Capitol dome who could not pass it. Iowa, you need to do much better and you need to do better quickly.
03-08-2022
Sandy Bild []
Please vote no on HSB 672. Public money goes to public schools. If I live on a private road, my taxes that go for public roads do not go to my private road. They will not maintain my road, they will not plow my road, they will not replace my road. My PRIVATE money goes to take care of those things. It is not my right to demand state money take care of my road because it's my privilege and choice to live on a private road. Children in this state need the public schools! Let's use state money for state schools.I also hope you vote no on HSB 672 so we don't ban books or require students to pass a Citizenship class.Thank you for your consideration.
03-08-2022
Michelle Kurtz []
I am opposed to public funds being used for private schools. Private schools are able to discriminate against any child that they do or want in their school. Public schools educate all students. Some children cost significantly more to educate than other and require more resources. Private schools will simply refuse all students that require more resources. Public schools need to allocate money and make difficult decisions to be able to educate all students. I do not support public funds going to schools that are freely able to discriminate and cherry pick their students. Instead of helping with education, this will lead to further division. I also do not understand why citizenship would be required for graduation. Kids do not have a say in where they live. Public schools are required to educate all students. Citizenship is separate from schools.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Brennan []
I oppose this bill. Public money needs to stay in public schools.
03-08-2022
Michelle Townsend []
Please vote no! I am against using taxpayer money without transparency and accountability. I am against these repeated attacks on our public education system and our public educators. Vote no!
03-08-2022
Walter Anderson []
I am apposed to using public funds to fund private education.This bill as written is a threat to our public school system and anther way to erode the funding that our public schools need.Looks like another ALEC initiative to weaken the education we provide to our next generations.Please vote NO on HSB 672
03-08-2022
Tom Pauley []
As you consider your vote today, remember that the large majority of Iowans support public schools and the work they do. This bill is also opposed by the majority of Iowans. If you really are for Iowa, vote no.
03-08-2022
Elizabeth Arnold []
This bill, like so many others this legislative session, is disproportionately harmful to students in protected classes. This bill gathers together many of the worst ideas of this session around education, and packages them together. It removes educational requirements from our educators, reinforces a system of chronic underfunding, and codifies censorship. Please do not pass this bill.
03-08-2022
Denise Perez [Citizen]
I oppose this bill. Public education in Iowa is already suffering and this would make it worse. This voucher bill will not attract teachers to Iowa. It will not improve education in Iowa. It will take money from public schools that are already severely underfunded, and put it into white classist, able bodied private schools. Private schools are not required to support disabled children, children with learning disabilities, and they can pick and choose what students they want to accept, tend to be white and rich. Our public schools would not be in this downward spiral if the GOP would not be attacking public education. Support our teachers support our communities support our children. fund our children fund public education. Leave funds in public education.
03-08-2022
Menke Jason []
This bill is fundamentally detrimental to and is entirely antithetical to the intents and purposes of public education in this state. Public education is the foundational social contract of our society, and the actions in this bill will only hasten its decline in this onceproud state.For you kids and your grandkids, you must vote no on this bill.
03-08-2022
Shawna Johnson []
I disagree with this bill, do not pass.
03-08-2022
Patty Ryan []
Please do not vote to give public funds to private schools. Our small town schools, the heart of our communities, will suffer! Vote no vouchers!
03-08-2022
Kelli Powell []
I am opposed to public funding going to private schools. Lets focus resources on public schoolspublic school excellence used to be a point of pride for Iowans!
03-08-2022
Patty Ryan []
Please do not vote to give public funds to private schools. Our small town schools, the heart of our communities, will suffer! Vote no vouchers!
03-08-2022
Michele Sells []
I hope this bill does not pass. I was a product of Catholic schooling and it was great but do not destroy what used to be a good public school system so a chosen few can use our tax dollars to aid choice. You have to see that taking from one to help another is not the right thing to do.
03-08-2022
Lana Schaefer [CASA]
I am opposed to the banning of certain books. The choice should not be up to legislators that are not in the classrooms. I understand the book 1619 Project is one of those being considered so I decided to read it. Although the information is heartbreaking to read and understand that it was considered normal at that time I don't think it should be overlooked. The same goes for reading books about gender equality, gay rights, the Holocaust and other difficult issues. If these subjects make people uncomfortable that is awesome. We shouldn't ban them but should learn from them. I also oppose vouchers for private schools unless they allow students with disabilities. I taught special education and there were children whose siblings went to a private school but they came to our public school because the private school could screen who was "acceptable".
03-08-2022
Jeff Edberg []
Public money for public schools. My kids went to private schools and I paid taxes for the public schools and tuition for the private schools. It was my choice.
03-08-2022
Rebecca Smith []
I am opposed to this bill, public funding should be used for public schools only. This will hurt certain districts in Iowa more than others and they need the support more than ever to ensure everyone receives a fair education.
03-08-2022
Wanda Freeman []
I oppose this bill. Public money for public schools only!
03-08-2022
Michele Steepleton []
I taught in both Catholic and public schools and chose to put my children in the Xavier Catholic school system and I am against HSB 672. There is a place for strong private schools in Iowa, but not at the expense of strong public schools. When my children were in school I had the peace of mind knowing that if needed, I would be able to move them to a strong public school. There are scholarships available for low income students who choose to go to a private school. When money is taken away from a public school it is not replaced. Public money school go to public schools.
03-08-2022
Nancy Baltzley []
I, and many of your constituents, are opposed to this bill. Please represent and listen to all. Public funds for public schools.
03-08-2022
Barbara Rice []
I am strongly opposed to this bill. Public funds should be used for public schools. No vouchers. If parents want to send their children to private schools, fine, but the public should not be footing the expense.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Stumpff []
I am opposed to this bill. Vouchers only exacerbate inequality in our grossly underfunded public schools. A citizenship test is unnecessary if schools are able to fulfill their curricula with adequate staffing and materials. Barring access to materials has never been a choice made by a free society. Everything in this bill is an egregious affront to the principles of equality, liberty, and unity.
03-08-2022
CHIPMAN COLEEN []
As a former school board member for the Clear Creek School board I am vehemently opposed to this bill and all that it proposes.
03-08-2022
Brianne Puderbaugh []
Public funds for public schools!
03-08-2022
Anne Thomas []
I am vehemently opposed to this legislation. I attended a private high school in Iowa but I CHOOSE to send my kids to public schools. Private schools are private for a reason. They should NOT get public funds. I also cant fathom why we are even discussing banning books. This is ridiculous.
03-08-2022
Ann Blake []
Please do NOT pass these bigoted, senseless laws. Our state is moving backwards in time and it is sad and downright scary. No longer a place that I am proud to live in and I question raising children here
03-08-2022
Brittany Olson []
All of these proposed ideas are non sense! Do yall just sit around all day wondering whos day you can ruin?
03-08-2022
Monica St. Angelo []
I am opposed to this bill. We live in a rural district, and it is critical that public money remain with public schools. Our schools struggle as it is. In addition, there are already plenty of processes in place for parents to be closely involved in their children's education and monitor materials. It's a waste of our educators' precious time for the legislature to create laws around this.
03-08-2022
Julie Parker []
Please consider what this will do to the kids and our communities. Im opposed to this measure that will hurt so many. Public money should be used for public schools. Rural Iowa will not survive!
03-08-2022
Mary Kapler []
This bill is insanity. Public money should not go to private schools. Fix our public schools with that money!!!monet!!!! Controversial topics eliminated from materials??! Are you kidding me. Does that mean the Bible will be removed from libraries? There is scandalous material in that book.
03-08-2022
Patrice Davis []
I am opposed to any bill that takes takes public funds from public schools and gives them to private schools (who are not held to same rules and standards as public schools). I have a right to know how my tax dollars are being used! I am also opposed to all book banningschool teachers/librarians should be trusted to make the right curriculum decisions for our school districts as they are hired to do. In addition, a citizenship test for graduation seems ridiculous. Students are required to pass US history and government to graduatethe test is superfluous.
03-08-2022
Cassie Ewurs []
Please vote no
03-08-2022
Darci Kidd []
1. PUBLIC MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS!!! Private institutions are not beholden to the same standards and can discriminate. My tax dollars should not go to a school that does not serve the entire population. Not to mention...separation of church and state.2. Stop interfering in what educators are doing. The legislators behind this have no education or experience in teaching and parenting is not the same for pity's sake. What even is "controversial" material? This leaves so much open for interpretation it is ridiculous. Besides, if we do not teach ALL of our students different viewpoints and how to discuss them rationally and civilly we will NEVER climb out of this partisan hell that we are currently in. Get your noses out of education.3. Students should have to pass a citizenship test to graduate when legislators have to pass one to be elected. Which I doubt many of you could do. We are not China. The USA should not REQUIRE citizens to pass loyalty tests, stand for pledges and anthems, or any other actions the speak to a kind of worship reserved for dictatorships. Stop with the racism disguised as patriotism. We see though you.Do better people. Let's solve some real problems and not just pander.
03-08-2022
Linda Taylor []
I am opposed to this bill that would give public money to private schools. Public education should serve the whole community. As a public school teacher for 30 + years I am appalled that the state even considering dismantling public education
03-08-2022
Pamela Mohr []
Please vote NO on HSB 672. Public money is for public schools who can not discriminate and are required to serve ALL students.
03-08-2022
Adam Sondag []
I am opposed to this measure. Public tax payer money is for public schools. Public schools are accountable for the money they are given. Private schools are not accountable to taxpayers, therefore no public tax money should go to private schools. Stop trying to bring the public education system in our state down!
03-08-2022
Anna Young []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money is for public schools. This bill hurts public education.
03-08-2022
Terri DeBruin []
Please vote no for school vouchers. Public money is for public use. Also if this were to pass what will prevent private schools from increasing tuition to keep it out of reach for those that this bill is supposed to help? If we give public money to private schools, they should be held to the same rules as public schools. They should not be allowed to pick and choose who they allow in.
03-08-2022
Melody Hobert-Mellecker []
I am categorically opposed to this bill. Public monies should absolutely not be used to give vouchers for private education. Teachers and school districts need to be given great latitude to decide on what materials are included in the curriculum not politicians with a conservative agenda founded on religious ideology.
03-08-2022
PRICE Debra []
The use of public tax dollars to fund any priate school education is wrong. Parents do have the right to decide if private school education is best for their student, but it should in no way be funded by public tax dollars.
03-08-2022
Elizabeth Wartick []
This bill will undermine Iowa's public schools, in turn undermining our workforce and communities. Public money from tax revenue belongs in public schools for the public good.
03-08-2022
Anna Happ []
As a speech therapist working in special education, I've worked in both public and private schools and have a good understanding of how public funds for private schools will hurt children with special needs, hurt those from a low socioeconomic backgroundno this will NOT help these children, but hurt, and hurt educators in public schools who are working hard to serve ALL children who need it, never just the selected children who are the easiest to serve and will bump up performance ratings.
03-08-2022
Jeff Alger []
I am opposed to this bill. Public monies should not be used for vouchers for private schools. I am also opposed to a small group of parents effectively deciding what the curriculum should be based on their own personal beliefs. Education should open students' minds to critically think about issues, not just regurgitate what some bureaucratic board thinks is education. Don't choose to only teach the good parts about our history, but also the bad. Don't ban books. Period.
03-08-2022
Elise Kooistra-Sullivan []
I am opposed to this bill. We should not be giving public school money to private schools.
03-08-2022
Tim Earp []
I am opposed to public funds subsidizing private schools. In a free market a business thrives or dies masked on its service/s. Or lack of. If no customer base is there for them the state should not be helping provide that ESPECIALLY with money dedicated to public schools funds. Find another way to kill public education. AND if you dont like the books in your school go talk to them about it. Learn why its there. Every school teacher and administrator will be thrilled to have that conversation with you. Just make the effort and go talk to them.
03-08-2022
Denise Miller []
Iowa public schools are already underfunded. The funding has not kept up with the monetary needs due to other insurance, utilities, etc. Todays teachers are overworked and underpaid and are currently being disrespected by Republicans. Our young people are leaving in droves from our state. Some are rethinking the idea whether they want to become teachers. Many teachers are quitting or feeling unappreciated. They are under attack and threatened with manufactured ideas to stir people up. Parents have had the ability to see what was happening in the classroom for many years. If they havent been involved before why all of a sudden are they now? They should be at school board meetings asking for increased funding to make Iowa again the leader it used to be in education. Our children are our future. Lets invest in public education!
03-08-2022
Kristin Vogel []
I am highly opposed to this bill. Taxes should not fund private schools. As a public school educator, I know firsthand the workings of the Iowa educational system and this bill would be a determent to our state.
03-08-2022
Smith Marilyn []
I oppose all these Bill's against public schools education, it's time you work for future of of children. not Republicans, we have best interest of our children.
03-08-2022
Mary McAdams []
We are opposed to school vouchers. Public money for public schools!Mary McAdamsDr. Wayne Kennard
03-08-2022
Joan Bristow []
I am opposed to this bill.
03-08-2022
Gary Nims []
Please vote against HSB 672.
03-08-2022
Jane Craiger []
03082022I opposer the voucher bill. As a past teacher of both public schools and a private school, I know that the public schools have a MUCH greater need for our money. Please do NOT pass this bill.
03-08-2022
Rhonda Bunte []
I oppose this bill. Public funds should go to public schools. Private schools are a privilege and they get plenty of funding from the parents that choose to send their kids there.
03-08-2022
Amber Sar []
Public dollars are for public schools and should stay that way. The option for a private school is great for families who choose to go that route. However, attending a private school is a choice and with that choice comes the responsibility to pay for schooling out of your own pocket. Our public schools are already struggling to provide students with a quality education as it is due to a substantial lack of funding by our state. Our public school teachers work hard to cover the shortfall for their students, often out of their own pockets. This bill is a slap in their face as it is going to take even more money away from their students and schools. In a time when teacher shortages are already severe, and we should be doing all we can to retain and uplift our amazing teachers, I ask that you reconsider a bill that will make their jobs even harder. Keep public funds in our public schools!
03-08-2022
Toni Holmes []
I am opposed to this bill that would give public school money to private schools. Parents have a choice to send their child to a school of their choice already. If they choose a private school then they choose to pay for it. Some private schools do not accept some students, such as a special needs child if they cannot adequately meet the needs of that child. Also private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public schools to meet state standards. I believe this bill would even further jeopardize our already underfunded schools. Our kids are the future workforce of Iowa. By weakening public schools, This bill would weaken our workforce and the strength of our state. Private schools should not receive public school money. Furthermore, any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money as a basis of separation of church and state. The wants and desires of a few select Iowans should not override the the use of a majority of Iowans money.
03-08-2022
Hope Johnson []
Please stop looking for new ways to degrade our public schools. My family should not pay for other families to go to a private school. And parents already have access to information about what their children are learning. If you pass these measures, our state will continue to lag our neighbors in growth. Stop it.
03-08-2022
Anthony Farrell []
Stop this horrible transgression on the education of our children. Our children should be open to a culturally and educationally diverse information. The state should not override the ability of a teacher to discuss social topics.
03-08-2022
Linda Schreiber []
Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy. Iowa tax dollars should support public education. Shifting funding intended for public schools to support private, parochial, or charter schools will damage not only our public schools but also Iowa communities. Private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools nor do they have the same policies and requirements to serve students of all abilities or hold meetings open to the public. Iowa public schools have been underfunded for years. The minimal allocations cannot keep up with inflation meaning school funding has decreased and maintenance deferred. A lack of state funding requires school boards to increase property taxes which shifts the burden from all taxpayers to local taxpayers. If Iowas public schools deteriorate so will Iowa communities and towns. If schools decline, communities will lose population. So many Iowa communities have experienced consolidation, busing children farther and farther. The voucher program may be the final blow to rural schools and towns. Public education is the great equalizer. Public education opens doors. Public education should be funded.
03-08-2022
William Thomsen []
As a father of a 9,7, and 5 year old, I am in full support of HSB 672. My tax dollars should not be allocated only to a public educations system that is in shambles that is increasingly built on a groundless, godless, manmade religion of its own making. In the words of Tim Keller, "if truth is relative, how can one denounce injustice?". Time for schools to get back to teaching that there is a right way to live and that Truth is NOT relative. Let's take a stand for Truth in Love, Iowans. This is our DDay.
03-08-2022
Kara Schneider []
I strongly oppose this bill, as should anyone who has children who go to public schools. Our state needs public schools to remain strong to help with our states economy. There are negative downstream effects this bill will have on our state if passed. It should NOT pass.
03-08-2022
Brook Easton []
I opposed this bill. Public money for public schools. I don't want my money going to fund schools that have ZERO oversight, and wouldn't accept my kids. The lack of support from private institutions when it comes to children with IEPS makes them inaccessible. On top of the fact that prior to this Administration our public schools were top in the nation. Let's get back to where we were. Let's fund public schools and make Iowa a place that people want to actually move to instead of leave. If parents want parent choice then they can pay to have their kids go to private school. This voucher program only benefits the rich anyway. The amount of money students receive in scholarships won't put a dent in the tuition for private schools. On top of accessibility for rural students. I was a rural student and watched as our schools closed and combined. Some kids had to travel an hour one way on a bus to school. This program will KILL rural schools making it harder for rural students to be competitive academically. Why do you want to KILL public schools? Why do you want to villainize teachers? STOP! Iowans deserve better.
03-08-2022
Julia Privett []
I am one of the MANY Iowans who opposes vouchers. Our public school system needs more funding, not funding diverted to private or charter schools. To require public schools offer services for special needs children that private schools don't have to cover, but to give the funding to the private schools instead of the public system providing the services, just doesn't make sense.I grew up in Michigan. Charter schools were a disaster. The lack of accountability and standards led to poor educational offerings while the owners pocketed the money. Kid's suffered. It is a BIG step backward for Iowa schools to copy that failed experiment.PLEASE VOTE AGAINST VOUCHERS.
03-08-2022
Teresa Weidmaier []
As a parent of a middle school student in Des Moines Public schools I oppose any bill that would take public money and give it to private schools, especially after under funding are public schools for decades. Also banning books? Come ON Iowa. My kid can download any book or the juicy content from his phone. Parent your kids and stop trying to ban books from the library that your narrow minds cant handle. We see you disrespecting our public schools and teachers while ringing your hands about the teacher shortage. Do better for our kids and our communities by protecting public schools.
03-08-2022
Ann Zenk []
I am opposed to everything in this bill. All students in public schools need this money and this education. We want well rounded critical thinking people in our state. If you want private education pay for it. No public funds should be used. It is unconstitutional at a minimum. It makes no sense. Giving our schools 2.5 % this year was a travesty.
03-08-2022
Stacy Feenstra []
I am opposed to this entire bill. Public money for public schools. School curriculum is already readily available to parents who ask for it. Teacher Librarians are an essential part of our children's education. Iowa is already short on educators, they should not have their credentialing changed. With a few exceptions there is no support for this bill from Iowans. Please shut this bill down.
03-08-2022
Mary and Jay Justin []
I am opposed to this bill. Public funds must be used for public schools. The customer of public schools is our community and society as a whole. The role of public schools are to prepare children to be responsible, independent thinking citizens. Public schools fulfill this role and must be fully funded. Private schools do not have to accept all children, nor follow the same regulations as public schools. Private schools are a choice, and must be funded by those who choose them. They must not be funded by the greater societys tax dollars. Public funds are for public schools, which 93% of our states young Iowans attend.
03-08-2022
Christine Walker []
I am opposed to this bill. I ask that you listen to the vast majority of Iowans who want a strong public education system. Do not fund private business with public funds.
03-08-2022
Kevin Harris []
I am opposed to this bill, public education dollars should remain public. If a family elects to attend private school they are making the choice to not use public education. The proposed process to remove a book from school libraries will overtax volunteer school boards which will take away time away from their responsibilities or end up giving a free pass to anyone who wants to ban a book. (We dont need to go back to book burning days!)A requirement to add citizenship class creates an additional expense to schools to develop a curriculum and hire needed staffing without reducing existing credit requirements. Students already go through required history and civics classes. A dedicated class of this nature is unnecessary and is only a means to placate to a right wing base.
03-08-2022
Mary D Miller []
I am against HSB 672 in its entirety but especially funding private schools. The decrease in funding for public schools has already created an unfair playing field. Public schools are struggling and this bill along with this legislatures war on teachers has done irreparable harm that we may never overcome. Additionally, the bill allowing scholarships (which already are available in private schools) is designed to further create a division between public and private schools. Penalties? We are close to living in a police state where any sane person will not take a chance in the teaching profession. It allows for complaints and investigations over any disagreement.
03-08-2022
Marcie Lentsch [(optional)]
VOTE NO ON THISBILL! All 3 areas will do more harm than good to students, families and teachers. In particular the vouchers. The Sioux City diocese has reported that they are "no longer accepting donations" as part of their scholarship program because they have TOO MUCH MONEY. (Just this past fall 2021). Tuition scholarships are available for all families should they attend to send their child to a private school. Vouchers do not give us choice, schools will be the decider under vouchers. Vouchers take away funds from already starving schools. Please vote no and turn this bill down as we have bigger fish to fry in education.
03-08-2022
Lori Lovstad []
I am vehemently opposed to using public taxpayer money for subsidies to private school tuition. Private schools are allowed to discriminate against students and their families for religious, gender, sexual identity and disabilities, as well as English language learners and learning disabilities. Public schools are held to all the rules and regulations, both federal and state, that protect access to free and appropriate education for every single student who needs it. It is not the governments role to sanction and fund discrimination at the cost of public access and accountability of public funds. You would create a system where only public schools have to follow the rules of transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.
03-08-2022
Courtney Carstens []
This is a horrible bill that will further rot Iowas public school system. What is this...Nazi Germany? The things that this bill is calling 'controversial' is actually information that goes against a whitewashed version of what actually happened in history.
03-08-2022
Jackie Chow []
I OPPOSE this bill. I am opposed to censorship of any kind. Let teachers teach and let librarians serve all students. Public money only for public schools. Also keep the current certification standards for teacher/librarians. Listen to the majority, we are against this bill!!
03-08-2022
Shirley Kimble []
Please vote no on this bill. Taking money away from public schools for private schools undermines the public schools at a time when they need more money, not less. Great public schools are what our country should be. Do churches pay taxes? Should their schools receive tax payer money? No.
03-08-2022
Nickelle Stevens []
I strongly oppose this bill, as it would divert desperatelyneeded funds away from public schools in rural and urban areas across Iowa. We should be strengthening our schools, not purposely removing funding so several years down the road the Legislature can say they "failed" and then ONLY charter/religious schools exist. Currently, private and religious schools are not subjected to the same transparency or standards I want to KNOW what my tax dollars are funding. I also want students provided the same protective rights afforded to them in public schools. I'd like Iowa's Legislature to STOP following the Koch Brother's Heritage Foundation Playbook & do what's right for ALL Iowa's students and education professionals. It's time Iowa stop "racing to the bottom" before it's too late.
03-08-2022
Tiffany DeBow []
This bill is horrible for so many reasons, but the "scholarship" aspect hurts our schools. It is ridiculous that families making 6 figures should get government assistance to send their kids to private school. The bill provides $5k, when private schools often cost $10k or more, not including things like costs for uniforms, lunch (no free lunch in private school), etc. Truly lowincome people would not be able to make up the gap. And most private schools have assistance for truly lowincome families to help. Private schools can ask for transcripts, attendance & behavior records & choose who they admit. So, they can pick the kids most likely to succeed & least likely to have problems. This is not a fair "competition" as some like to say this bill will make public schools perform better to compete & keep their students. Not everything should be free market capitalism. No special needs kids have to be admitted to private school & if they are, they can be sent back to public school for those educational minutes. This bill is not about helping the special needs & the lower income citizens or creating competition. It is about giving more middleclass people who just might not be able to swing full tuition get their kids into private school.
03-08-2022
Matt Cabel []
Keep public money in public schools. Students deserve to read challenging materials, as well. Our students and teachers deserve the best.
03-08-2022
Diane Kearns []
Public funds are for public schools.Banning books is reminiscent of Nazi Germany.
03-08-2022
Monica Wilke-Brown []
I am opposed to this entire bill. Public money for public schools. School curriculum is already readily available to parents who ask for it. Teacher Librarians are an essential part of our children's education. Iowa is already short on educators, they should not have their credentialing changed. With a few exceptions there is no support for this bill from Iowans. Please shut this bill down.
03-08-2022
Sydney Bardole []
I am opposed. Public money is for public schools. This will punish public school kids for not having the money and resources for private schools. We as a community need to care for the education of ALL kids.
03-08-2022
Carol Hornung []
I am opposed to HSB 672 as I don't want public tax dollars supporting discriminatory practices or private schools. Instead, these monies should be spent on improving our public schools that welcome all our children. We used to be one of the top states in the U.S. for education achievements. Not any more. Stop cutting funds and robbing our children of quality education opportunities that bring their parents to our communities and good job opportunities to our state. We need growth and not regression.
03-08-2022
Alicia Shyu []
I strongly oppose this bill. Parents already have the choice to send their kids to private school. If they choose to do so, they should pay for it without the use of public funds. If private schools receive public funding, they should have public accountability, public supervision and public oversight. Our public schools have been underfunded for over a decade. It's time to stop siphoning public funds.
03-08-2022
Laurie Fein []
I am absolutely opposed to HSB 672. It will devastate our public schools, when is the cornerstone of our society. Our public dollars do not need to support private schools, when our public institutions are already struggling with a lack of funding. It is the neediest of our population that will be hurt the most.
03-08-2022
Amy Fickbohm []
I am absolutely opposed to all aspects of this bill. First, and foremost, public tax dollars should ONLY fund public schools. Public schools cannot discriminate and are available for all students regardless of ability level, gender identity, religious preference, etc. I also think it is completely unfair to use public tax dollars for private school vouchers when the availability of spots in these schools in so limited and not offered in all areas of Iowa.The legislature does not have expertise related to education nor the curriculum that is researchbased and appropriate for children. Each district hires highly qualified administrators and consultants who are specifically educated in regard to curriculum and all aspects of education, including the social and emotional wellbeing of ALL students. Leave these decisions up to the experts! Show our students that ALL of them are supported.I am also completely opposed to banning books. This is a highly subjective opinion and a slippery slope! Children have access to an enormous amount of information at a very young age via technology and the internet. If parents want their kids not to know what is happening in the world today or FACTS about history, they should home school them. If you pass this, my kids no longer have the right to that information...so they would be losing out. Let the few that don't like the books, tell their children not to read them.Please stop criminalizing our schools and our teachers. The number of open teacher and staff positions is overwhelming. I fear for the future of our children if you continue with these partisan politics.
03-08-2022
Jacob Swails []
I write in opposition to HSB 672. This bill does not improve or strengthen our public schools. I will always oppose public funding for private and parochial schools. No student should be required to pass a citizenship class to graduate, what an absurd notion. Stop this horrid bill in it's tracks. End it here.
03-08-2022
Alicia Shyu []
I strongly oppose this bill. Parents already have the choice to send their kids to private school. If they choose to do so, they should pay for it without the use of public funds. If private schools receive public funding, they should have public accountability, public supervision and public oversight. Our public schools have been underfunded for over a decade. It's time to stop siphoning public funds.
03-08-2022
Sarah Wilson []
I am writing to oppose this bill. Public school children deserve the full support of the state and should not be put at risk with the reduction in allocation. Public dollars should be spend on public schools, not on private, voucher programs. Research studies provide evidence that voucher programs do not work; they will weaken our educational system that is designed to serve all of Iowa's children. Public schools are the backbone of our communities. We hire and support teachers to teach; let professional teachers teach. Lastly, efforts such as this make it so difficult to attract and retain teachers to Iowa. Please vote no.
03-08-2022
Lesley Christensen []
As the overwhelming majority of these comments show, Iowans do not support this legislation and wish to protect and maintain the quality public schools that Iowa used to be known for supporting. Elected officials are to represent constituents and Iowans. This bill seems to protect Legislators who, unlike the majority of their constituents, send their children to private schools or homeschools. At worst it promotes a right wing agenda over the best interests of Iowans. As these comments reflect, this legislation should not be supported. Please get back in touch with Iowans and their very real concerns. Defunding public schools is not in any of our best interests.
03-08-2022
Susan Blocker []
I am opposed to sending my tax dollars to private schools, which do not receive the same oversight as public schools. Private religious schools which make up the overwhelming majority of private schools in Iowa are allowed to circumvent antidiscrimination laws when hiring as well as when considering which students to admit. Diverting tax dollars to private schools will further drain money from our rural schools as well, crippling our rural communities.
03-08-2022
Regan Dahlstrom []
This bill is not what is best for Iowa students. I oppose it and ask that you do too. Public schools are there to serve each and every student the very best they can. Public dollars to public schools who welcome all students!
03-08-2022
Jessica Anderson []
I do not have time to write a lengthy post on all the issues with this bill (there are many). Ultimately, I want you to know that I am very opposed to this bill particularly the scholarship (voucher) portion. Please stop undermining public schools. Public dollars require public accountability and should not go to schools that dont have the same requirements to educate ALL children that public schools do.
03-08-2022
Blake Rozendaal []
I urge you to oppose this bill. This bill has the potential to push down graduation rates because of this requirement to pass a citizenship exam. Also, diverting money from our public schools away from districts that need our support and partnership now more than ever will reduce a school's ability to serve students that remain enrolled.Do not pass this bill out of committee as it has major flaws.
03-08-2022
Austin Elling []
I support HSB 672. My wife and I are lifelong Iowans, attended Iowa public schools, and have children that have attended both public and private schools. I personally have served on both public and private school boards and was a State of Iowa certified teacher. Iowa families deserve a choice when it comes to their children's education. Tax dollars do not inherently belong to public schools, they belong to the taxpayers who paid them. The proposed bill takes a step towards providing families a choice on where they spend THEIR tax dollars when it comes to their kids' education. Eliminating barriers so families can choose what best meets the needs of their children by funding students, not institutions means greater accountability and competition to improve both private and public school sectors.
03-08-2022
Deborah Erickson []
I'm very opposed to this bill. Public money is for public schools.
03-08-2022
Shelly Simply []
Public money should go to public schools. Period. Why are we taking money away from the public school systems that so desperately need it? The option is there for parents to send their children to private schools if they want already. If you choose private education, you can find a way to fund it on your own. Nobody should expect public funding for a choice they make for private education.
03-08-2022
Tara Cox []
Leave public funds with public Avila.! Also, leave our books alone!
03-08-2022
Christie Brookes []
This bill is a direct threat to the future of Iowa. We need to invest in our public schools not siphon funds from them. This will especially affect small, rural districts first. Public Education is an invest in each other. This bill serves special interests, specifically catering to religion. Public money is for public education. Call upon your religious institutions to fund schools that are religion based. They are tax free.
03-08-2022
Barb Musson []
I am opposed to school vouchers.
03-08-2022
Rev. Le Anne Clausen de Montes []
I am opposed to sending public money to any private institution which discriminates against or does not have to accept and accommodate students with disabilities (including behavioral health conditions and learning disabilities), LGBTQ2IA+ students, students whose primary language is not English, or on the basis of race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, economic status, citizenship status, or any other demographic factor. As a Presbyterian pastor and a parent of four schoolaged children, I am opposed to fundamentalism influencing our public schools and the materials my children are able to read and learn from in their classrooms or school and public libraries. I intentionally enrolled my children in public schools to learn how to work well with peers who are different from themselves and become compassionate citizens in a pluralistic society. I want them to be able to learn from the perspectives of People of Color and LGBTQ2IA+ people. Religious groups already have the right to establish their own private schools and their own rules within those institutions. I also do not want people who are not parents in my child's classroom to have access to any information about what is happening in my children's classes, that they may then use to harass the teacher or create additional stress in the learning environment.I oppose any measure which would lead a teacher to feel unable or less able to teach in a manner that included diverse perspectives across multiple cultural contexts that are likely already represented among the students within their classrooms.
03-08-2022
Jodie Klatt []
As a public educator, I see daily how under funded schools are. This bill will remove more money from our public schools causing a downward spiral. Please vote no on vouchers.
03-08-2022
Dan Kopatich []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money is only for public schools. With the flat tax approved, there will be even less money available for public schools and private and charter schools should not be the priority. There is little transparency and accountability with the funds sent to private schools, unlike public schools. In addition, private schools do not need to accept every student, like public schools. This is a bad bill for Iowa.
03-08-2022
Gayle Murray []
I oppose public dollars feeding into for profit,private schools with less regulation and services for those with special educational needs.Also censorship does not belong in public education. Parents have every opportunity already to access curriculum & materials...as well as opting out of things they perceive as not right for their child. The majority of kids,even those way too young for it, have access to the internet which is full of harmful information at their finger tips. These are parenting issues and can not be "legislated".Tax dollars belong in public schools where the entire society receives the benefit.
03-08-2022
Frances Biel []
I am opposed. Public schools should be the only recipients of funding for PUBLIC schools. Schools should be places for growth.
03-08-2022
Tyllie Corbin []
I am opposed to providing public money to private schools for a variety of reasons:1. It will underfund public education in our state and make it so we are no longer a leader in the nation.2. Private schools do not have to educate everyone.3. The executive boards that run private schools are not accountable to the public unlike a school board.4. Charter schools do not do better than public schools, yet they do not have to jump through the hoops of standardized testing and all other state mandates.5. In our larger cities, public schools will become more segregated.6. Public money should be used for public schools.
03-08-2022
Jennifer Santiago []
I am opposed to this bill as it is written. Public schools exist for a reason and have to follow standards that private schooos do not. Providing tax dollars to private institutions puts public school education at risk and also potentially underserves at risk populations that private schools would not be required to allow in their doors.
03-08-2022
Angelina Perez [United Way of North Central Iowa]
I oppose everything about this bill. Vouchers hurt public schools and public school children. When you start restricting access to books and other materials, you set a very dark precedent. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that students have the same First Amendment rights as anyone else in school libraries, and removing books based on content is unconstitutional censorship. Lastly, citizenship in this country should not affect children's education.
03-08-2022
Constance Wentworth Wentworth []
Public funds are for public schools only!
03-08-2022
Alissa Philipp []
I oppose this bill. Until public schools are fully funded, no public monies should be diverted to to private entities.
03-08-2022
Carol John []
I am strongly opposed to using public money for "scholarships" to send students to private schools. Pubic money is for public schools! Our public schools are underfunded already, don't make it worse!
03-08-2022
Anne Larson [citizen]
Please pause before taking the critical step of removing funding from public schools in order to fund private school attendance. Our schools have been underfunded for yearsnote the recent years when funding failed to keep pace with inflation. Add to that the critical need for teachers and the evergrowing demands on our public schools to serve as surrogate parents. The proposal to move a student's funding to private schools is further flawed in impairing the separation of church and state. I do not support this proposal and hope Iowa lawmakers will table it for further study.
03-08-2022
Shelly Northway []
I oppose this bill. Public taxes belong with public schools. History is not one sided. Eliminating teaching all sides only sets our students up for failure. Teachers do not need to be micromanaged. Unless you are actively in a classroom teaching, stop telling a teacher how to do their job.
03-08-2022
Karen Osenbaugh []
We should not take resources from our public schools. Our efforts should be spent on making our public schools the best possible for all children
03-08-2022
Dawn Young []
I am strongly opposed to any public money going to private schools. If you chose to send your children to private schools, the tuition should be paid from your private pocketbook. Public schools provide a wonderful education for our children as long as the governor and politicians support our public schools. I also do not agree with removing controversial books from our schools. Children and parents have the opportunity to not chose these books. Please do not take the opportunities from the children and parents who chose to use these books.
03-08-2022
Don Campbell []
Public money should be for public schools. My tax dollars should not go to fund a parent's CHOICE to send their kids to a private school. I am opposed to this bill. Please vote NO.
03-08-2022
Susan Devine Keeney []
After having just returned to Mn where we lived 31 yrs and returning to Mn from Iowa , I am vehemently opposed to this wastebasket bill. Many of the pieces , such as special Ed needs and IEPs are already in effect, have been effective and educators do not need to be told what to do by legislators, which is just what Iowa did. In addition , the removal of books, which this is really about and done in Iowa is infuriating, as I have read most if not all in my classes without harm. I would gladly testify as a parent who has been there and sees no need for beauraucrats to tell teachers what to do !!
03-08-2022
Susan Elliott []
I am opposed to this bill. We need to strengthen public schools, not weaken them.
03-08-2022
Hilary Montalvo []
Private schools are not a right, they are a privilege. Stop taking away from the public schools to give to private schools. Stop helping to compartmentalize our kids so that they never see or talk to anyone different from them while growing up. Stop harassing teachers and trying to make them lockstep into your approved curriculum. The best teachers have flexibility, ability to add to the experience of school in response to the world as it changes day to day. They can't plan a year in advance for every day and give out every single text that they might ever use. This is crazy. Just STOP!
03-08-2022
Carrie Dodd []
I am opposed to this bill because public tax dollars should only be spent on public schools who are required to meet standards and guidelines that charters and private schools are not. Public schools are also required to educate ALL children, so it should be given priority over schools who do not educate all types of students. Public schools are also required to be transparent in how those funds are used while charter schools do not. PUBLIC money is for PUBLIC schools!!
03-08-2022
Janet Evans []
I oppose this bill. Diverting public resources to nonpublic schools removes transparency and accountability. The public schools have been expected to provide for all students and their ever expanding needs while being inadequately funded for many years. Available resources should be extended to support the public schools that serve the students in all of Iowa's counties. Respect teachers, librarians, counselors for their professional expertise. It would be our hope to create a citizenry that knows how to be well informed and be critical thinkers as well as empathetic. This often happens through exposure to reading materials and discussions with others in school.
03-08-2022
Brenda Barton []
I am opposed to HSB 672. Public money to our outstanding public schools.
03-08-2022
Barry Wilson []
Research on vouchers has not supported claims made by proponents and has documented bad effects on public school funding. No fair to public education or the state which used to take pride in public schools.
03-08-2022
Michelle Carden []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money should go to public education
03-08-2022
Steven King []
I am a retired educator. I strongly oppose this bill. For all of it's fancy wording, it is just a voucher Bill a way to use Public dollars to support private and/or parochial education. It is in violation of the American Principle of separation of church and state. With the consistent and deliberate underfunding of our Public Schools at all levels, this funding is taken from our Public schools and their ability to meet all the needs of the students.Please stop this Voucher plan which is opposed by a strong majority of Iowans.
03-08-2022
Kim Hagemann [none]
I oppose this bill because of the a student first scholarship program and a student first enrollment supplement fund. I do not want public money going to private education that can promote Catholic religions, Islamic religions, Protestant religions, Jewish religions, and any other religions. Also, this bill hurts rural communities and their ability to support public schools.
03-08-2022
Arryn Zehring-Filippelli []
I am opposed to this bill. Public dollars need to go to public education. Public dollars should serve all students, not just those that private schools choose to admit. Public schools are required to admit and serve all students. This legislation would divert public funds to nonpublic schools, who are not required to adhere to this principle of equity. Public money should be subject to public oversight, and should require accountability and transparency. Private school spending is not transparent, and private school administration is not publicly accountable. Even within this bill, the new transparency requirements on curriculum only apply to public schools, not to those private schools that would receive more taxpayer money through this bill. Nonpublic schools are not held to the same standards for transparency as public schools. The absence of public accountability for public funds could contribute to waste and fraud of taxpayer dollars. This bill will greatly harm public education in Iowa.
03-08-2022
Ann Longfellow []
I oppose any bill that takes money away from public education. If you want to send your children to private schools, then you should pay for it. Public education funds such services as students with special needs and students who are learning English. Private schools don't have these programs. Support Iowa students who need funding!!
03-08-2022
Connie Maxson []
This bill is wrong on many levels. Iowa needs to focus public money on public schools. Iowa legislative goal should be to fully fund public schools and to stop demonizing the very profession that brought them success.
03-08-2022
Kim Van Es []
Please vote no. There are not matters for the state legislature to decide.
03-08-2022
Kim Van Es []
Please vote no. There are not matters for the state legislature to decide.
03-08-2022
Harriet Reelitz [DMPS Special Ed Associate]
I am oppose HSB672. Public money to public schools.
03-08-2022
Susan Andersen []
Public schools are vital to every community. They build communities.They serve all children.Public money for Public schools. No vouchers.
03-08-2022
Kristin Wehrman []
PUBLIC funds for PUBLIC schools. PRIVATE schools should be paid with PERSONAL FUNDS! Please stop attacking public schools. Support our public schools and our teachers!!
03-08-2022
Nikki Smith []
Public money for public schools. Full stop.
03-08-2022
Gleean Coates []
I am opposed to this bill that would give public school money to private schools. Parents already have the choice to send their child to a public or private school. Public schools are available for everyone. If they choose a private school then they choose to pay for it. Some private schools do not accept some students, such as a special needs child if they can not adequately meet the needs of that child. Public schools must accept everyone and find a way to meet the needs of those with special needs. Also, private schools are not under the same scrutiny as public schools to meet some state standards. I believe in our rural schools and this bill would even further jeopardize our already under funded schools. The future of our educational system is at stake. Our kids are the future workforce of Iowa. By weakening public schools, you are weakening our workforce and the strength of our state. Private schools should not receive public school money. Furthermore, in accordance with the separation of church and state as established in the constitution, any entity that teaches religious doctrine of any kind should not receive public school money.
03-08-2022
DANA REEDY []
I oppose the bill, because taking money from the hardworking parents just trying to put food on the table and giving it to those segregationist snobs who want the best for only THEIR kids without paying for it is just WRONG! I oppose the bill because MORE education is the goal for Iowans, rather than LESS education. By banning materials just because some lesseducated rightwinger is afraid of education is just plain WRONG!I oppose the bill because ALL students in Iowa deserve a fair and open education. Making sure that ALL students have proper civics education should be part of the curriculum throughout junior high and high school. An educated voter is a responsible voter. Opposing such training appears to curry favor with despots.
03-08-2022
Carolyn Jacobson []
I'm the product of a strong Iowa public school system, and I want the children of Iowa to have the opportunities that I did. Keep public money for public schools.
03-08-2022
Eliza Willis []
I am adamantly opposed to creating a scholarship (aka voucher) program using public money to fund private school education. I was educated in schools in a small town in Central Iowa and am grateful for the excellent instruction I received. Taking public money out of public schools is bad public policy that adversely affects the interests of the vast majority of Iowans. I gladly pay taxes to fund the public schools even though I have no children. My tax dollars should not be used to subsidize the private education some parents wish to give their children. Parents are clearly entitled to choose private over public education but they are not entitled to have other Iowans pay for their choice. If some state officials feel these parents deserve a tax break, then propose legislation that gives them that break. Do not pass legislation that represents a net transfer of public money to a private use.
03-08-2022
Angie Sylling [Title]
I strongly oppose HSB 672 as a former public school student in Iowa, and as a current public school parent. Regarding Divison I, School Transparency, Parents have access to information from their school districts if they take the time to communicate with their teachers/staff, locally elected board, and Superintendent. I trust our educators as qualified, trained professionals to create a safe and effective learning environment for our children. I also trust that our teachers/staff/board/Superintendent are open to discuss any questions I/any parent may have, and are willing to discuss alternative options if necessary. An individual parent should not be able to make curriculum/material/book decisions for ALL parents based on their personal beliefs, and what they believe is best for their individual child. Regarding Division II, Student First Scholarship Program, public money should go to public schools. Parents already have the choice to send their kids to private schools, but public money should not pay for this personal choice. Public schools are required to admit/serve ALL students. This legislation would divert public funds to nonpublic schools, who are not required to adhere to this principle of equity. Public funds should also require accountability and transparency. Nonpublic schools are not held to the same standard as public schools. The absence of public accountability for public funds could contribute to the misuse of taxpayer dollars. During the pandemic our public schools have faced many challenges, we should be focusing available resources on supporting our amazing public schools/teachers/staff in Iowa. Our public schools are transparent, accountable, and serve ALL students. Public dollars should be used to support public schools. Student First Scholarships are not the direction Iowa should go. Thank you for your time, please vote NO for HSB 672.
03-08-2022
Chris Noel [Iowa Taxpayer]
I am opposed to public vouchers for private schools. Taxes should fund public schools. Iowa has already underfunded public education for decades. Taking additional money from public education will only weaken it.If parents want alternative private schooling, they should either pay for it or help set up private foundations to fund it. Taxpayers should not be obligated to fund private schools, especially religious schools or those with other special agendas.I am opposed to the many current plans/bills to undermine public education.
03-08-2022
Lynda Ertzinger []
I am opposed to this bill. Iowa's quality of public education is on a downward spiral. This bill does nothing to reverse that course. The quality of public education is a major factor in a family's decision to relocate. If Iowa is "open for business", but employees are scarce, Iowa will not be able to entice businesses to come no matter how big the tax breaks are.
03-08-2022
Norma Hanke []
I oppose this bill in its entirety. We have underfunded our public educational system for years now. We need to treat our teachers as the professionals they are. They have been educated in this field and we need to support them. Private schools are a choice, not a right. Public money should absolutely not fund private schools.
03-08-2022
Rebeca Shattuck []
No to vouchers! Iowa does NOT need a voucher system that steals money from our public, community schools and hands it to private institutions for profit. They had vouchers in Douglas County in Colorado, and do you know what happened? Within two years, the private schools simply raised their tuition by $5,000, the value of the vouchers. It didn't help families, and it hurt public schools.Remember, private, religious schools don't need to accommodate students with disabilities and special needs. Public schools do. Voucher systems end up hurt everyone, but especially students with disabilities. They also tend to hurt rural schools. This is a loselose bill. No one benefits. No vouchers!
03-08-2022
Camille Lee []
Public money should only be used for public schools. We pay our taxes and part of that money is used for our public schools, and should not be used for private instruction. We do not need a process to eliminate books, materials, or curricula considered to be CONTROVERSIAL from schools, as that is done before it makes it into the school. A problem is being created where no problem exists. Vouchers are not needed for a select few to attend private schools. Our public money is for PUBLIC schools. Rather than requiring students to pass a Citizenship class as a condition of graduation, add back actual civics curriculum as well as everyday skills like balancing accounts and managing credit. Kids need to know how communities work.
03-08-2022
Jane Shea []
Public money needs to stay with public schools. As someone who grew up in small town Iowa I understand the need for equal public money for all public schools. Also parent of a graduate of Waterloo West who has gone on to do extraordinary things due to the great education she received at West due to it being a public school funded with public money.
03-08-2022
Paula Blake []
Please vote NO. I am against this bill for numerous reasons. The funding for public schools has been behind the rate of inflation for years. Public money to public schools. School curriculum is already available and does not need a law to make it so.The First Amendment is powerful. Children need access to writings on a variety of subjects. Reading about a subject can both open minds and instill empathy. Reading difficult books with others can help understanding. I'm so happy with my public school education. As a third generation public school teacher I hope you'll stand beside teachers and stop this from going forward.
03-08-2022
Trish Brock []
Public money for public schools. Iowa used to have very a very high ranking public education and it keeps dropping. Pulling money from public schools will only drop it down further. Public money should go for the public good. Also, I don't believe public money should be helping to fund parochial schools separation of church and state fundamental for a reason. We have an obligation to do the best we can for the greater good. Pulling money from the public schools benefits the private schools, not the greater good. The government and taxpayers should not be funding religious institutions.If people don't think our public schools are up to par and that we need private schools, wouldn't the logical solution be to make the public schools better?
03-08-2022
Lisa Petrie []
I am opposed to this bill in its entirety.
03-08-2022
Kate Parks []
The research is clear that voucher systems increase educational inequality and segregation. Public schools serve all children and are committed to doing so. They need more resources, not less. Private schools have a role to play in education, but they also get to choose who they admit, who they graduate, and who they serve. They can choose to only accept "scholarship" from high achieving students or students who don't have any behaviorals concerns, or students who don't need an IEP. Bills like this are touted as giving parents choice, but the truth is, only some parent's will get to choose, because private schools ultimately decide who they want to educate. I urge you to vote against this bill and instead invest in our public school system. Strong public schools mean a stronger future for Iowa. We were once known for our excellent public school system. Invest in our kids and teachers and let's be the best again!
03-08-2022
Eric Palmer []
Vote no ! A terrible unsustainable bill . If you have extra dollars , use them to support public education .
03-08-2022
Claudia Koch Koch []
I am opposed to HSB672 for a multitude of reasons. This bill takes away all transparency for the funds taken from public schools. This bill I will not help anyone except possibly private schools. We already provide for them.
03-08-2022
Angelina Moe []
I am opposed to every section of this bill. Quit trying to censor our schools, quit trying to remove funds from public schools, and quit putting up barriers that make people want to turn away from education as a career. We need to be supporting our teachers, not making their life harder.
03-08-2022
Elizabeth Klousia []
I am opposed to this bill. Public money for public schools! Fund our public schools and stop interfering with our teachers doing their jobs!
03-08-2022
Kristyn Arnold []
I am a DMPS parent of two K8 students and I am opposed to HSB672. Public schools are an option for everyone; private schools are an option for some and they can refuse to educate students based on behaviors, special needs, etc. If people choose to send their kids to private schools they are still able to do this but public tax money needs to fund public schools, this is our social responsibility.
03-08-2022
Kristin Stanford []
I am opposed to this bill. Public dollars should stay with public schools which serve ALL children, without discrimination. Public dollars also should have transparency, which is not required with private schools. Vouchers, ESAs, scholarships are wrong for Iowa.
03-08-2022
Neil Moe []
This is not just outrageous it is insulting. Public money is for PUBLIC schools and works period. Not to mention the very idea of banning a book is disgusting and an outlandish act of censorship.
03-08-2022
K Huffman []
I oppose anything that would shift public school money to private schools, no matter what it is called.If we want Iowa's future to be bright we must return monies once taken from Iowa public schools to Iowa public schools.Make Iowa Public Schools Great Again!
03-08-2022
Chad Cardani-Trollinger []
EVERYTHING about this bill is misguided and wrong. Vote no!
03-08-2022
Kelly Lightbody []
1. Public money should not be used to fund private education. If our public education isn't sufficient for students then MORE FUNDING AND RESOURCES ARE NEEDED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. This is a nobrainer. 2. Public Education should NOT be dictated by a parents comfort zone. They can choose private or homeschooling options if they want custom catered education. The education of our majority should not be crippled or hindered by personal views. Teach the kids unedited history and critical thinking so they can make their own INFORMED beliefs. We will be doing our future a grave disservice by reducing education based on what a parent thinks their child should be taught. That's not education. That's indoctrination.
03-08-2022
Molly Donahue []
Public money is for public schools. Public school is the foundation of each community the promise of equity in education for all. Providing equal opportunities for all. Private schools need not provide to all students. They can pick and choose who they educate. Parents have plenty of choice in education, and it should not include public funds for their private choices.
03-08-2022
KA Neiber []
Please vote NO to this bill. I oppose it strongly as it is bad for students, families, and education in our state. Keep public money for public schools.
03-08-2022
Wendy Blake []
Using tax payer dollars to fund for profit or private schools is an egregious use of our hard earned money. You expect our public schools to jump through hoops with state required educational mandates but you won't require these private schools to be accountable. You are destroying public education in our state. Or is that your end goal?
03-08-2022
Clayton Moritz []
I am opposed to HSB 672. If private schools need more funding to include low income families, they have always had adequate, private avenues to gain it. I pay taxes not tithings. Furthermore, the effort to create a process to remove so called 'Controversial' materials from schools, is unnecessary and steeped in personal biases. They're are existing, tried and true unbiased avenues to: report, investigate, and remove "Obscene" materials. 'Obscene' is importantly also a well defined term, whereas 'Controversial' is vague and can only be biased. Frankly, some people find it "controversial" that people of different races all have equal rights under the law. One wonders why any lawmaker would seek to empower the loudest and angriest few to dictate the education of the sensible masses?
03-08-2022
Teresa Nicholson []
I am opposed to this bill and all aspects of it. Fund education to the level needed to provide schools with the necessary tools to teach and STOP with the destruction bit by bit of our public schools. You want a private school education? No one is stopping you from sending your student there. You want to ban materials/books? See the Constitution for Freedom of Speech and also let parents do their jobs. If there is an issue of concern, they will bring it to their locally elected school boards. The Iowa GOP who preach about local control, protecting freedoms, and less government really needs to reevaluate their commitment to those items when they push bills like this one which are the exact opposite of what they preach.
03-08-2022
Linda Corbin []
I strongly oppose the bill allowing taxpayer dollars to support private school education. Separation of church and state has been front and center in our constitution since its formulation. Once we allow one private or church supprted school to receive tax dollars, people could create devil worshiping schools and receive tax money for those as well.This bill should promptly be defeated before a can of worms is opened, causing havoc in our state.
03-08-2022
Kathleen Curtis []
I oppose this bill in its entirety. Public funds for public schools should be a priority. I grew up in Iowa schools when they were the best of the best. This is no longer true.. I do not believe that anything in this bill supports school districts and students in proper ways
03-08-2022
Jenny Allen []
We need legislation that supports teachers, supports all students, and provides for an education that meets the needs of every child. Public schools need the funding they have, and more, in order to adequately serve the next generation of adults we are raising in this state. I do not support this bill, I oppose it. Redirecting tax dollars to private schools does. nothing more that give partial scholarships to people who have chosen private school and have the ability bus their student, pay the remainder that is not covered by the proposed vouchers, and increase the gap/inequity between the haves and havenots. Public schools serve every type of child, children with every need, every race, every religion, and every community. By decreasing funding to public schools we will harm public school teachers, systems, and students. Support teachers and, Keep our Iowa Public Schools Awesome!! Lets move on to the party of this session where we give more money to public schools and stop trying to penalize our teachers.
03-08-2022
Susan Bowland []
We are opposed to public monies for public education. Please reject all such efforts
03-08-2022
Nicole Spradling []
I am opposed to this bill.
03-08-2022
Even Crann []
Id first like to say I'm opposed to this bill. I understand that many different budgets are getting impacted by this but most importantly, our public schools are getting impacted. There needs to be specifics written in this voucher program that include intense vetting of parents wishing to use it. And finally we need to keep the money in our public schools and also in the pockets of the frontline workers that are the teachers.
03-08-2022
Shannon Stack []
I do not support this bill for Iowas children. Taking money from larger school districts for scholarships which are vouchers, leave no plan for the schools you are taking funds from. There are also very few private schools in Iowa that offer programs for children with special needs. Forcing teachers to post a semester of curriculum months in advance is appalling. Parents can ask their kids teachers at anytime to see what is currently being taught. Finally, republican lawmakers should have no business deciding what books should be removed from school libraries. The group that continually complains about keeping government out of their personal lives has done nothing but enact laws infringing on the rights of Iowans for the past 3 years & beyond.
03-08-2022
Alison Oliver []
As a graduate of Iowas public education system,I oppose all aspects of this bill and its underlying assumptions that such provisions are needed for quality education in this state. Focus on measures that fully invest in and support our K12 and higher education institutions.
03-08-2022
Jeff Brock []
I am against vouchers for private schools. Vote no. Public finds for public schools only and our public schools need to be fully funded.
03-08-2022
O'Donnell Annette []
This sure stinks of the type of blind propaganda the soviets and nazis required. Vote NO!!!
03-08-2022
Karma Wanamaker [Mr. and Mrs.]
School districts already have policies in place to deal with socalled "objectionable" materials in schools. They are called RECONSIDERATION COMMITTEES. You are taking local control away from school boards and overreaching with state law. This is unnecessary. Also, public tax money is meant for public schoolsnot private schools. Leave the money with public schools. I am against this legislation. Vote it down.
03-08-2022
John Forney []
I am opposed to allowing public funding to be used for private schools. This will only continue to hurt public schools by limiting their resources to provide what they need for their students and to attract and retain high quality educators. As the public has no voice in the curriculum as private schools, it is a direct contradiction to the outrageous proposals being placed on public schools where overreaching politicians are trying to put cameras in classrooms.
03-08-2022
Chris Bice []
I stand FIRMLY against HB 672. This bill is a step backwards for our children in public schools, as well as the state. Public funds belong to public schools, period. We should be encouraging or children to read more books that help to provide them a full and we'll rounded understanding of others and the world. Please vote against this bulk. Thank you.
03-08-2022
Daniel Corbin []
Public money should be used for public schools.
03-08-2022
Stephanie Cardwell []
I am opposed to this proposed legislation. State funds should stay with public not private educational institutions. Furthermore, this many private schools are religious and there should be no public, secular, state funds going to pay for religious education. A parent has a choice to educate their students in public schools, private schools, or even homeschooling. Public funds should stay with public schools.
03-08-2022
Jerad Corbin []
Public money should be used for public schools!
03-08-2022
Molly Parrott []
I oppose this bill. Public funds should be used for public education, and not for faithbased education.
03-08-2022
Joe Van Haecke [Inspire Me Mr V]
I am opposed this bill. Public funds must be used for public education.
03-08-2022
Sandy Boyd []
Public money should go to PUBLIC SCHOOLS !! If parents want their kids to go to private schools that is their FREEDOM !! BUT NOT WITH MY TAXES to pay for them !!!
03-08-2022
Brian Carter [Legislative Advocate of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church]
I speak as the legislative Advocate for the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. I speak against this bill for many reasons but primarily because we have supported public schools for over 200 years and always opposed using public money for private schools. Education is too important to be left to the whims of private unelected persons. Public schools are accountable to the public and what the public needs in educated citizens. It is clear that the black Americans when they were freed by Lincoln and the Emanciption Proclamation immediately began public schools for the blacks and whites. They understood that education would be their path to equality and to a better nation. Please vote against this bill
03-08-2022
Chris Rohret []
Please give public money to our public schools. Iowas future depends on a strong, wellfunded public school system.
03-08-2022
Roberta Merrill []
I am strongly opposed to our tax dollars going to vouchers to be used at private schools. Those dollars should go to public schools who you have not funded as well as you should. How can you even propose such nonsense?
03-08-2022
Kenzie Stepp []
I 100% oppose this bill.
03-08-2022
Carole Cigrand []
I oppose bill HSB672. If this bills main focus is to help low income families, why is the income guideline up to 400% of the poverty level (approximately $110,000 for a family of four)? In contrast, to receive childcare assistance a familys income must be between 140245% of the poverty level. Also if any school receives public funds, including private schools, they should be required to follow the same accountability and admission requirements. As of now, private schools would still be allowed to deny entry to any student they chose. Thats discriminatory if youre receiving public funds.
03-08-2022
Shakira Meyer []
I oppose Bill 672. The Auditor of State in Iowa issued guidance to all cities and counties in Iowa in May 2020, revised it in May 2021 and issued clarification regarding the use of public funds and provided an Advisory on Public Funds Going to Private NonProfits on November 2, 2021. Do private schools and charter schools fall into the similar nonprofit category? How is this voucher bill hold up to Auditors guidance that the Iowa Constitution prohibits governmental bodies (aka Cities, Counties, Iowa House, Iowa Senate and the Governor) from making a gift to a private nonprofit. The conclusion given by the Auditor was that a governmental body may not donate public funds to a private entity, even if the entity is established for charitable or educational purposes and performs work with which the government could perform directly.The State level governmental bodies in Iowa need to follow the same guidance that is being pushed down upon cities and counties.
03-08-2022
Shirley Vermace []
NO PUBLIC MONEY USED FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS! That is NOT what my tax dollars are for! You want your student in a private school? YOU PAY FOR IT, not me!VOTE NO ON HBS672
03-31-2022
Nicole Hinton []
Please do not support this bill, which will further the struggles of Iowa public schools. Private schools do not have the same accountability as public schools are required to, nor are they required to accept all students. This is why public funding should only support public schools.
04-01-2022
Kathy Malek []
Please vote no on this bill. Save our small public schools. YOU ARE OUR VOICE! Make our thoughts be heard.