Meeting Public Comments

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SSB 3073

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to the number of area education agencies in this state, the duties and powers of area education agencies, area education agency boards of directors, the department of administrative services, the director of the department of education, the division of special education within the department of education, the services provided by area education agencies, area education agency funding, the calculation of the teacher salary supplement district cost per pupil, and minimum teacher salaries, and including transition, effective date, and applicability provisions.(See SF 2386.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Evans-CH, Donahue, Rozenboom

Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Room G15

Comments Submitted:

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01-29-2024

Maureen Lonsdale []

This bill was written by an out of state company with NO input from stakeholders. This feels like a hostile takeover! Our AEA system has supported and served schools for over 50 years. Why is there a rush to dismantle it? Why was stakeholders not included in writing this bill? We need to slow down and complete a comprehensive study to ensure that we understand all the negative implications of any changes for ALL schools, both rural and urban. There are over 3,000 Iowans that jobs are in limbo; this is not the way to create a safe culture and implement reform. Please see the attached document with the impacts of this legislation. This does NOT give more local control. It actually takes it away. When schools and AEAs have to get "approval from director of Dept. Education" for many things in this bill; that is unfair and definitely not local control.Our schools need social workers in their buildings. This has been a need for many years; and the AEA provides them through operational sharing. In this bill, that would be eliminated. Therefore, school will no longer have that service for their identified need. Why would you pass something that takes away needed services??AEAs provide a seamless, effective, and efficient way to deliver services and support to schools. We might need to make changes as all agencies have room for improvement. But, we should NOT throw it away and try to recreate it with a system that we have no idea will work. That will create many unintended consequences that negatively impact families and children as my example above is just one of them.Vote NO! And create a committee with all stakeholders to address any issues or concerns.

Attachment

01-29-2024

Wendy Liskey []

Let me highlight some of my concerns regarding this legislation.SPECIAL EDUCATION DEFICITS: I want to be sure all members of the Education Committee realize the enormous amounts of Special Education deficits many public school districts are currently dealing with. Over 280 of the 327 districts in the state ended FY22 with a negative SpEd balance. You can see that in the attached file. Twenty two of those districts have deficits in excess of $1,000,000. As someone who served on the Waukee School Board for 8 years, I realize the negative impact this legislation would have on this already large deficit. Redirecting state aid to districts does nothing to minimize these Special Education deficits.AEA BLOAT: I have heard and seen comments about the genesis of this legislation was a concern over the bloat of the AEA, specifically at the administrative level of the AEAs. Id appreciate seeing the actual numbers that are concerning. It is my understanding that AEA salaries are in line with the requirements outlined in lowa Code regarding administrative compensation which states all public schools and AEAs may not spend more than 5 percent of their total expenditures on total administrative compensation. The percent of total administrative expenditures in all of lowa's nine AEAs for all administrators is lower than the 5 percent limit.As a reminder, these are the cuts made to the AEA state funding over the last three years. If anything, the AEAs are doing more with much less.2021/2022: $22.5 million cut2022/2023: $24.5 million cut2023/2024: $29.5 million cutOVERSIGHT: I have seen some House members releasing communication saying the AEAs have been operating without meaningful oversight. The AEAs are accredited by Iowas Department of Education, as recent as 2022 (see this compilation of reports: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19QzTj10qtEKxZm7SDb1LycvmXay5Nad?usp=sharing). If some do not feel that is meaningful oversight then we should not support legislation that would house all AEA services under the DE. And last year the ESA legislation was signed into law with no transparency or oversight and that is being rolled out by the DE so I see a lot of hypocrisy in the argument that AEAs are lacking transparency and oversight when that has been an overriding criticism of the Voucher/ESA law. DE OVERSIGHT: The Department of Education has a questionable track record of timely and effective communication to those they serve. I experienced this firsthand as a Board President during the pandemic as we waited for DE guidance on Return to Learn plans. Prior to any of this legislation advancing, I would suggest an audit of the DE's ability to handle the proposed expansion of oversight and services and part of that audit should include feedback from Public School Superintendents from across the state. I think many legislators would be surprised to learn the level of frustration administrators have experienced with the DE. If this legislation moves forward in its current form, schools will have to request certain services and receive approval for those services through the DE. This process will be very detrimental to a school if the DE does not improve. Having an outsider with little public school experience leading the DE does not give me much hope that the DE will improve.PERFORMANCE: The Governor highlighted her concern over special education performance. In her COS address, she referenced NAEP test scores. In my personal experience as a School Board member in a district with one of the states largest Special Education student populations, I know this is NOT the correct way to measure Special Education performance. The NAEP tests a random selection of students in the state for a snapshot of progress. The NAEP test was given to approximately 266 SpEd students in the state which is .003% of the total SpEd students in the state. Instead, SpEd progress should be measured through multiple data points across time school records, IEP progress, transition data. Progress should not be based on a snapshot because performance can be inconsistent but progress over time can be seen. If performance is the concern, we should be evaluating all parts of a childs Special Education experience. Limiting this to criticism of the AEA is shortsighted. Special Education students are in general ed classrooms first so SSA factors into any examination of performance. The Governor has supported low SSA during her tenure (not keeping up with inflation) and that has a direct impact on every child's public education. AEA ORIGIN: The Governor also stated in her COS address that she wants AEAs to get back to their original focus on Special Education. This is factually incorrect in 1974, AEAs were created to provide special education services, media and other programs and services. (Iowa Code:https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/ico/chapter/2023/273.pdf) What I would like to see is a pause on this legislation so a comprehensive evaluation can occur of AEAs and the ways their services are utilized by schools and families across the state. I think the expansion of AEA programs and services is strategically correlated to the diversity of learners over 50 years (socioeconomic, ethnic, special needs) and the more recent trend of SSA not keeping up with inflation. The AEAs provide an equity of services across all of Iowas 99 counties. A child needing reading intervention in a small, rural public school can get meaningful intervention from the AEA which would be similar to what a Reading Interventionist employed in Waukee Schools would provide. I worry about how this legislation will impact equity and accessibility. TEACHER COMPENSATION: I would ask that legislators separate the Governors commitment to raise teacher salaries from the AEA changes. I appreciate the recognition that teachers deserve more compensation but combining that in the same bill that guts an essential educational support agency seems disingenuous.Please do what is right for the children in the state, not what is best for you politically!

Attachment

01-29-2024

Janice Klarenbeek []

Please do not dismantle our AEA services! They have provided excellent support for ALL schools and should not be attacked as this bill seems to just rip out the service schools receive and then says "Here's some money. You figure it out." "Oh, by the way, you will now need to work with an entirely new plan to possibly get part of the services."Ask the AEA and schools to work to streamline services if you want changes. But don't just throw them out. Have you heard the expression, "don't throw out the baby with the bath water?" Well, AEA is the baby. Protect them.

01-29-2024

Elizabeth Luttrell []

I (like the governor) want our students with disabilities to make gains and help them "do better." That is why I have to speak out against this plan. There needs to be input from Iowa educators. Outofstate groups do not know what it is like in rural Iowa. There is no data to say that these gaps are due to AEAs. Except in rare circumstances, (like a special school), AEA staff do not instruct students with disabilities. I work 30 minutes from the Minnesota border for Central Rivers AEA, how will supervisors from Des Moines be able to offer support when I need it like my current administrators do? How will an appointed AEA director offer impartial support that is not political? This is very sad to get so far from the values of public education that have been part of Iowa's great legacy. As a parent, my sons will have fewer opportunities for media and teacher training with this plan. I'm the only one of my friends and family living in rural Iowa and am well aware that my two sons already have much fewer opportunities than their cousins in outofstate suburbs. I'm committed to rural Iowa, and heartbroken at how this plan will affect our rural schools in such a negative way. AEAs were designed to get them on a level playing field with other big city schools and it has been, but now it is on the verge of being changed beyond recognition.

01-29-2024

Lori Rich []

What about the Amish families in our district. They rely on AEA resources, teachers, pT, OT,SLP and Early Access. How are they going to access services if AEA is not available? This has to be thought out thoroughly. We have at least 3 districts that serve Amish in schools and Early Access. Things need to slow down. I don't feel we need to dismantle something that has worked for 50 years. We can't put all the blame on AEA. There are many parts involved. The gap Governor Reynolds is looking at is less than 3 percent. There is no comparison of apples to apples. Instead she is lumping both special ed and Gen ed together. That's apples to oranges. Anyone who deals in data know s this. Please reconsider and vote NO or slow down.

01-29-2024

Pamela Schroder []

My name is Pamela Schroder and I am a resident of Scott County. I am a parent of two children that went through our public school system, as did I, and a grandparent of two children currently attending public schools. I am also retired from the Mississippi Bend AEA. I am writing to express my deepest concern and opposition to the proposed legislation that could significantly impact the AEAs and ultimately the students it serves.There are federal laws and regulations governing special education implementation. The collaborative efforts between AEAs and schools are vital, especially for rural/small districts to ensure compliance with these regulations. Attempting to do this without the help of the AEA could compromise the quality of education for students with special needs as well as those without.The Department of Education, situated in Des Moines, will not be able to replace AEA functions/services with the proposed addition of 139 employees. When my district needs help how quickly will they get a response, let alone a meeting to collaborate on a solution. Our AEA, MBAEA, is a matter of a few miles away and things happen quickly. I just do not understand how making a new department at the DE with only 139 staff is going to be effective.Please support AEAs and push back these policy changes.This whole thing is happening way too fast and it makes one think there's something underhanded going on.Thank you.

01-29-2024

Dani Johnson []

This bill is a travesty and does nothing to support our students in special education OR in general education. IOWA NEEDS ALL PARTS OF ITS AEAS. If we want them to do their job better, perhaps we should stop slashing their funding.

01-29-2024

Heather Malli []

Please kill this bill that will dismantle the AEAs. It was written by an outofstate organization that does not understand the needs of Iowas children and school districts. Your constituents are not asking for an overhaul of the AEAs and most are strongly opposed to this. Review and adjustments to the AEAs can be obtained without destroying the entire organization and starting over from scratch.

01-29-2024

Jennifer Proctor []

Please vote no.As a proud Iowan for the past 24 years I have been proud of Iowas track record on education. I chose to move here and raise my children in the public schools which are deeply integrated into the daily instruction for children and their teachers.Please take time to consider this bill and the consequences of acting quickly and causing harm for future generations.

01-29-2024

mike oleson []

Please vote NO to this Bill. I have work the last 6 months around kids from 112 at a group help call 4 Oaks. This children ALL have emotional and temperamental issues. It is heart breaking to see and hear the children crying and screaming for help! The teachers are doing everything they can allowed by law. Which isn't enough. We are so quick to blame the gun or anything else that they use to hurt others or themselves. The governor and the Representatives need to visit these groups that are funded by AEA. We need to give them more help NOT cut them. It's always big management to start at the bottom cutting things. We have a mental health problem in this state and country that we are blaming everything thing else instead of looking at ourselves to help our children and citizens.

01-29-2024

Tammy Fenton []

I urge subcommittee members to hear constituents appeals for due diligence of facts and data driving this bill. There are far too many learners and families directly impacted to quickly push a particular agenda through without proper vetting. I oppose SSB 3073

01-29-2024

Kate Boonstra []

Senators, SSB3073 is not wanted by Iowans (as I'm sure your inbox has revealed). Heed the widespread opposition of your constituents and vote no. If changes to the AEAs are warranted, theyll withstand more scrutiny and time.

01-29-2024

Sara Perry []

I support the AEAs as they are now. Vote NO on this bill. As this reads it will hurt all the sped services that the AEAs provide for our rural schools. It will make it harder to receive the services these small communities need for their families.

01-29-2024

Beth Tisher []

Reasons to oppose, or stop, this bill: 5. AEAs are open to a review and collaboration with stakeholders to make changes, 4. Fixes for the Governors articulated priorities (special education performance/lack of progress, local control) do not exist in this bill. 3. It defunds essential services to schools and families, 2. Schools and families will have to work harder, drive farther, and pay more to get the expert care and consultation that they currently have within their hometown through AEA services. 1. Its detrimental to Iowa, our communities, our schools, our families, our children, and our future as a state.

01-29-2024

Ambre Grund []

I am the parent of a son with complex disabilities and have been a AEA school psychologist for the last 22 years. I moved to Iowa, attracted by the opportunity to work in the AEA system, known nationwide as one of the best regional education systems. The system proposed in SSB 3073 is a disjointed and unstable system one in which regionally organized services and oversight by AEA boards of representatives from local school districts is replaced by an executive director in Des Moines, who may know nothing about our son, our family and our district. Standards, staffing and services are controlled far from our local district. This is unacceptable for our son and all children in Iowa.

01-29-2024

Megan Schaefer []

This bill strips our schools and students from supports we rely on heavily and respect for their input. They provide services, resources, and professional development to better our schools as a whole. They help keep our checks and balances for our IEPs as well as advanced learners. Because we use the same people across the state for support, they share a similar lens to how different schools approach the same learners with consistency. There are no agencies that can provide the level of expertise, consistency, and support as our AEAs. They want us to succeed and work hard to accomplish that. Our resources have been amazing tools for research projects because they are current and allow multiple differentiated areas of access. Losing our AEAs and scaling back what they provide will hurt student access to current and relevant resources. The state hasn't provided any credible sources to use in their place. The cost to replace what will be lost from our AEAs is impossible to replicate. And it will end up costing ALL of us more in the long run. Our smaller districts will lose recourses that are accessible to them now and not allow them to have what they need. Theu cannot afford to lose our AEAs. Our teachers were willing to sacrifice getting much needed raises to continue to have our AEAs in place. We need our representatives to listen to those whom they represent rather than the governor and her wishes. The DE is taking control away from our local districts and funding. Our districts desperately need you to advocate for our already underfunded public schools to stop this bill from becoming a reality. Our kids cannot vote, so they need us to stand up for them and their need for AEAs to remain an essential part of our public schools and communities.

01-29-2024

Megan Ault []

This bill has little to no local input, does not give local control, and will not support local providers.Iowa parents, educators, administrators, school boards, AEA staff, and other citizens are speaking out: we do not want this bill. We do not support this piece of legislation. This bill was written by an out of state group that clearly does not see what Iowans value. We happily welcome a comprehensive review that was promised in December and would welcome the chance to sit down with involved parties to help make AEAs better. No one is perfect, but dismantling a system and hurting Iowas children is not the way to find a solution.The way the current amended bill is written, it takes control away from area education agencies and local districts and moves it to the department of education. There are 133 mentions in the current bill directing authority away from local control and granting it to one person in Des Moines. This person, written as the director of the department of education, has experienced extreme turnover in the last few years. Since 2018, there have been four different appointed directors. The most recent directors for the department of education do not hold teaching licenses, nor do they have any experience in a classroom. Why would we remove all local control for schools and give it to one person that has no experience in a school, and why would we grant a single position so much authority when there has been such high turnover and inconsistency in this role? Why would we create legislation that would require school districts to call the department of education to ask permission for every training, every service, and every decision related to special education?The current bill does not support local providers. Over the last three years the state has cut AEA funding by $76.5 million. The state has tasked AEAs to do more with less. This takes away necessary supports and impacts Iowas students. The current bill will cut this even further. It would prevent students from accessing media services. It would prevent teachers from accessing necessary trainings. It would limit the amount of coaching and support available to teachers of our most vulnerable students. It would hinder our legal obligation of child find. It would limit related service providers, like speech/OT/PT, from accessing materials, trainings, and collaboration that is directly brought back to students. It would eliminate so many possibilities for all of Iowa students.Iowa does not support this bill. Do what is right for your constituents and what is best for all students.

01-29-2024

Rachel Casper []

AEAs provide many more services than those for special education. ALL AEA services are needed. What the governor is proposing will eliminate thousands of jobs. While many larger schools can afford to hire outside services and agencies, our rural schools cannot. We need to look at the big picture without blinders on. The governors words may sound good and reassuring, but this bill is not in the best interest of Iowas students, teachers, schools or AEAs.

01-29-2024

Christi Rohlfing []

Listen to the overwhelming majority of Iowans and vote NO to HSB 542. This bill will cause irreparable harm to our children, schools and state. I am a lifelong Republican and it sickens me to me to see this miscarriage of democracy. It makes me question my future affiliation. You are elected to listen to constituents, not to pander to the governor. She has given no credible evidence to support her push for this bill. Please stop this bill and, if you must, do the comprehensive review the governor said she wanted. Don't go down as the party that destroyed the education system in Iowa. Vote NO and stand up for our kids!

01-29-2024

Joan Peterson []

I ask you to vote no on the reorganization of the AEA. If you have questions, then slow this process down! Why is the governor in such a big hurry? Imagine how much better it will be for all (if you feel there are problems) that you take the time to form committees with parents and actual educators!! It feels like you are ramming this through regardless of testimonies or evidence. Thank you for reading.

01-29-2024

Kevin Schlomer []

I am against this bill. Legislators need to vote against it and set up a committee of parents, teachers, superintendents, school board members, administrators, AEA staff, health care providers, and legislators to study the AEA supports over an entire year. This is being pushed too fast and on misunderstandings and incorrect accusations. The proposed amendments do not address my concerns.

01-29-2024

Brenda Janisch []

I am writing to express my deep concern about the proposed bill impacting Area Education Agencies (AEAs). I believe this bill would have significant negative consequences for the quality of education in Iowa and for the wellbeing of our children. I strongly urge you to consider a comprehensive review of AEAs before enacting this proposed legislation. Such a review, as requested by the vast majority of AEAs themselves, would provide a more nuanced understanding of the vital services they offer and the potential impact of their reduction on Iowas children!! They are the innocent victims in this!!

01-29-2024

Amanda McMartin []

Please vote no on this bill. There are thousands of educated experienced individuals telling you all that the Governors plan will not help the students. Please take the time to work with education professionals to review areas of concern as the Governor initially mentioned. We can work together to address any issues, but her plan is not the solution. Listen to the people, please!

01-29-2024

Farrah Olson []

I am highly concerned that the valuable input from the vast amount of emails/comments/social media is being put aside to mask under a cover of "We need to do better for students with disabilities". Is there a thoughtful systematic plan in place starting in August, that will have the amount of immediate impact and expertise the current system of AEA's provide daily? We saw the Governor give the State of Address, drop 30 special education jobs the next morning, and then this bill. Did you know it was coming or were you blind sided like your constituents? Is the Department of Education ready for the influx and enormity of the responsibility of our children? Are the jobs being filled by the expertise the AEA currently has at it's finger tips for immediate response, whether that be the crisis response team at Perry, Professional Development in all areas of education, media services, coaching one on one in rural districts, establishing partnerships with community partners, collaborative teams ready for unique situations,and/or just in general returning an email in one day. This is just the tip of the iceberg, I am sure the correspondence of your constituents experiences have cemented the importance of the AEA in all areas. This is a high stake decision and it is concerning to me that this bill still exists. The AEA provides services to everyone connected to our children, because the children are the reason the AEA exists. The AEA provides equitable services to each individual child period. Have you ever seen so many people passionate, connected, and had the same powerful message at one time? This is a pretty incredible testimony to the impact of the AEA services. It all starts with great leadership, leaders impact the system. Just as leaders of the state impact the system. We the people live in communities and know people, and not one person I know is for this bill. Not one person.....that's unusual....when I think about that I wonder what ramifications this could bring to the forefront if this bill is passed. Take time, pause and listen you have all the right pieces of the framework in place already, don't recreate the wheel. Separate the teacher pay from this bill and listen to your constituents.

01-29-2024

Sandi Sickels []

I am writing in complete opposition to this bill. The Governor stated that she wanted an AEA study completed. A study should include a comprehensive review of all services, interviews with all stakeholders, and discussions with stakeholders (i.e., parents, AEA personnel, teachers, principals, superintendents, community partners, and community members from IOWA) before making any proposed changes. What evidence is there that dismantling the AEA and moving all decision making to Des Moines is going to improve test scores? If you can't answer this question, then you need to vote NO on this bill. The AEA was created to provide economy of scale, equity of services, and efficiency of services regardless of whether students reside in a large urban district or a small rural district. How will rural districts be able to provide the same quality services to their students that urban districts are able to provide given their tax base? The answer is they will not. In my opinion this bill is discriminatory! What data is the DOE going to use to determine whether or not they will allow a district to contract with the AEA for special education and educational services? How will this fee for service work? If you can't answer this question, then you need to vote No on this bill. This bill prohibits districts from using operational sharing dollars to contract with AEAs for mental health services from social workers. How is reducing student access to mental health therapy, which is already severely lacking in rural areas, going to increase test scores? If you can't answer this question, you need to vote NO to this bill. There are far too many unanswered questions because this bill is being pushed through due to a political agenda. The AEA has never backed away from a continuous improvement model. Take the time necessary to make decisions based on appropriate data, not data that supports a political agenda. Our kids deserve better!!

01-29-2024

Dominic Giegerich [North Linn Community School District]

The Area Education Agencies weave through the fabric of education in Iowa in a manner that no one can foresee the disastrous effects of removing what is there and replacing it with something else. AEAs have been serving Iowa for almost 50 years and that doesnt make them outdated, it makes them proven. My 29 years of serving the public as a teacher, administrator and coach I have worked in sync with three different AEAs, each having unique strengths and pride themselves in serving all students (which special education students are first and foremost). This bill intends to tear down and replace the AEAs with other, proven, undeveloped services.If approved it will fail, and it will fail miserably for all Iowans.Legislators want solutions, while many do not go to town halls and gatherings supporting the AEAs and places that could give solutions. Its simple refuse to consider this bill and instead allocate time to study what works well, who does it best (among the AEAs) and replicate the good and improve on the rest. Efficiency can always be improved, but an overhaul would strip away all the advantages the AEAs have passed down to schools, groups of schools and with each other. Youd be starting from scratch and 50 years from now a centralized system will not be as efficient as the AEAs covering the state are RIGHT NOW.This bill was not written by Iowans, the question not asked to the majority of Iowans and attacks a celebrated Iowa tradition of education local control. It creates more government, centralizing control under the stripped down Iowa Department of Education which doesnt have the capacity to carry out its duties right now. Hiring 50, 100, 150 more people will not replace the thousand who have the proximate access to serve districts public and private.It eliminates a career path for young professionals to follow and stay in the state of Iowa. This bill will gut a successful system, an option for teachers who want challenges outside of the classroom, the opportunity to affect more students, teachers and schools.They can do that in regions where they live now, rural or urban. Centralizing in Des Moines centralizes population, tearing out at rural access that is given to our smaller schools and midsized cities. This bill has many negative economic factors, the largest pushing our young people to other states.The motivation and the tactics surrounding this bill can not be ignored and should not fall under the tag of politics. There was a day when dissension within a political party happened and a moderate approach was good for all Iowans. Because one party has control does not make it morally right that those elected operate under the assumption their interests drive policy using general party platform planks. This is not leadership where an agenda is pushed through with the above assumption, without taking the time to work with hard working Iowans who would do anything to improve education. The compensation piece really attacks local control and the ability of a districts Board of Directors to operate in a manner that serves the public good. Its not feasible and you can not keep introducing bills that spend money without accounting for it on the other side of the ledger. I have many more years to give to this profession and this state. The fact this bill has gotten as far as it has, and the prospect that it passes in ANY form, makes me look to retire early, move out of state and encourage my 22 and 25 year old children to do the same. If this bill passes my grandchildren will not have an education that resembles what my wife and I were so fortunate to have growing up. Real leadership takes real courage, accountability, combined with common sense.Respectfully,Dominic GiegerichNorth Linn MS/HS Principal

01-29-2024

Ashley Byrne []

This bill.does not need to move out of subcommittee.A bill like this, following just one year after the support for school choice, is actually hurtful to the school choice mentality. There is not providing a clear mechanism for nonpublic schools to access support and you are now discriminating against children with disabilities, both seen and unseen even further. I'm all for parents having a choice for education, however we can't be forcing children who need IEPs, and some are only in one area, to need to go to the public schools, because we have completely demolished the system that supports ALL Iowa children. This bill also takes away supports for 504 development so that experts in the field can work with general education students with disabilities, who do not qualify for special education, identity the accommodations that are needed for them to be successful in school.

01-29-2024

Kim Cabel []

Please listen to what educators, families, and Iowans are saying about this bill, and vote NO. I am a parent of a child receiving early access services, and a AEA speech language pathologist in a rural school district. I know that AEA supports are necessary for children across Iowa to receive equitable services. AEAs are important for our children.

01-29-2024

Kristin Shelton []

I strongly urge you to vote no against this Bill (SSB 3073. As with many other Iowans, this bill will only set back education and negatively impact students, families, and districts. The AEA has highly valuable and qualified personnel who provide critical services to all students in Iowa. It is imperative that time is taken to study the impact a bill that is being pushed through at such a fast pace. Eliminating AEAs is not the answer.

01-29-2024

Gail Maxwell []

As a retired teacher who relied heavily on our AEA for training, services to students, and resources I urge you to vote no on this bill. Our schools, especially rural schools, cannot possibly provide these services on their own. All students and staff will suffer tremendously if these services and resources are cut. I could not possibly have done my job as a technology integrationist and teacher librarian successfully if I hadnt had access to classes and trainings provided by the AEA, to their experts in the field, and to the many resources I used from their media department that our district couldnt possibly afford. Every teacher in every school will tell you the same thing. We rely heavily on the AEAs. If we lose the training, resources and services they provide all students lose, including our students receiving special education services. Again, I urge you to vote no on this bill.

01-29-2024

Shelley Conover []

Iowans have been standing firm and advocating for AEAs since this study bill dropped on January 10th. The support for AEAs at forums is resulting in recordsetting attendance. It is evident Iowans are NOT in support of this bill. Please consider digging deeper into the data. This will take some time. Bring all stakeholders to the table to conduct a quality comprehensive review which is what the governor originally proposed. Let's start funding education and stop taking away from it. Please do not support this bill. And let's not forget that "Teaching is the one profession that creates all other professions." Unknown

01-29-2024

Vicki DeMoss []

I employ you to vote NO to SSB 3073The longawaited Area Education Agencies (AEAs) bill with new amendments was released today by Kim Reynolds as Senate Study Bill 3073. Subcommittees are scheduled and it appears that the intent from Senate Republican leaders is to move it for a vote as quickly as possible to avoid further defections on their part. I read all 123 pages this afternoon and Im surprised by how little shes agreed to change after her initial proposal ignited such fierce backlash.In short, the Department of Education (DOE) is still essentially taking over the AEAs. Almost all decisionmaking and oversight for the AEAs would be granted to the DOE director. The AEA directors (currently known as administrators) would now serve at the pleasure of the DOE director. The DOE director, of course, serves at the pleasure of Kim Reynolds. THIS IS NOT SHIFTING CONTROL TO THE DISTRICTS, and State Auditor is now more restricted so WHERE IS THE TRANSPARENCY & OVERSIGHT (checks & balances? Under the bill, the DOE director would now set the number of AEAs and couldnt allow more than 9 to operate. The DOE director SOLEY would be able to reorganize or dissolve AEAs at any time. The existing, (local) independent AEA boards would be relegated to a merely advisory role and serve at the pleasure of the directors who serve at the pleasure of the DOE director who serves at the pleasure of Kim Reynolds. All AEA real estate and property would be taken, granted to the Department of Administrative Services, and put under the decisionmaking of the DOE director. The media services and educational services provided by the AEAs would be removed throughout Iowa Code. THIS WILL SEVERELY IMPACT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABILITY TO SUPPORT ALL GENERAL & SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS AND LIMIT TEACHERS ABILITY TO DIFFERENTIATE INSTRUCTION FOR ALL STUDENTSAll AEA staffing plans, job classifications, and budgets would now be annually approved SOLEY by the DOE director. The director salaries would be set by the DOE director. AEA child welfare liaisons could only be employed if they were approved by the DOE director. Public hearings on AEA budgets would no longer be required. All personnel classifications employed by an AEA would have to be approved by the DOE director. The Iowa Board of Education would no longer be able to develop standards and rules for accrediting AEAs unless they consult with the DOE director.MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS? Who is asking for this? Which superintendents are demanding this takeover? How does concentrating all power in a state agency help promote local control? Wouldnt independent advisory boards provide better oversight than a state agency already struggling to administer vouchers and book bans? As a direct service provider for special education, I also provide services & support to teachers and students in the general education settings, will I not be able to provide the same level of services to ALL students as directed in IOWA CODE? Has the cost to districts been considered if they chose to contract privately for direct services? For example, in IN private therapy companies are charging over $140/hr to schools! There is already a significant shortage of therapists in the medical and educational settings, how will rural districts compete? Who will ensure private therapists have extensive knowledge of State and Federal special and education law and State BOEE licensure? And the most pressing question, of course, comes from the hundreds of parents that Ive heard from who have kids and grandkids thriving because of the AEAs why are we taking a quick chainsaw to institutions that actually work for Iowans when we could be putting in the time and bipartisan effort to use a scalpel that would actually improve them? Ultimately, our families deserve better than this.

01-29-2024

Jean Boger []

Please slow down and carefully consider the repercussions of this bill, especially to rural Iowa schools and students. Conduct a comprehensive review of the AEAs, and decide, based upon data and evidence, what needs to be changed, but please vote no to this bill as it currently stands. This is far too important of a decision to make based on misconstrued data or personal opinions

01-29-2024

Teresa Paulson []

Vote NO on SSB3073. I find this rush approach blatantly disrespectful to the schools and teachers of our stateall in an effort to destroy an efficient and cost effective organization who has adapted and grown to meet the needs of their school districts and ALL students in the state of Iowa. If changes are needed, there needs to be a thorough, systematic approach looking at ALL data and not basing the demolition of a system based on data that doesn't even truly represent the whole picture of the successes of students with the support of the AEAs. Discussions need to happen and this requires time. If there is an issue with the AEAs, then the department of education needs to be reviewed also. Our governor loves to state how much she cares about the children and youth of Iowa...I am asking you to SHOW us YOU care about them...actions are louder than words! Vote NO!

01-29-2024

Jennifer Housman [Parent and educator ]

Please reject this bill and the amendment. I feel that this is rushed and has not been thought through properly. If you want to reorganize the AEAs take the time to consult with stakeholders. Our AEAs services are so important to small town Iowa.

01-29-2024

Gretchen Eastman [Constituent]

SSB3073 is not the bill wanted by Iowans for reforms in our AEA system. This bill will especially hurt small rural districts like the one in which I teach. I would like to share one example of how AEA services have helped my district. We have had a couple hard of hearing students in my 26 years at my school. The AEA hearing specialist provided support for the equipment our students used. She provided professional development for all the teachers. She also worked 1 on 1 with the students. Our district alone would not have been able to provide this kind of support to these students. Through the AEA system, multiple districts can support their hard of hearing students. The proposed new law would make this kind of support harder for our school to receive in as cost effective and timely manner as it did through the AEA. Please vote no on advancing this bill.

01-29-2024

Dustin Reese []

Do NOT support this bill written by an outofstate company that knows nothing about how AEAs operate. NOBODY in Iowa (outside of the governor) supports the dismantling of our AEA system that is the envy of so many other states. If you pass this bill, the harm to our schools, especially our rural schools, will be significant. It will take years to recover as you try to rebuild the AEAs after recognizing your mistake. The data being shared by the governor is cherrypicked to support the plan she had from the start, much of it completely fabricated. Slow the process, review the AEAs, and you will see that they are an effective system that can grow even stronger. Have the COURAGE to do what is right for our students.

01-29-2024

Jeff Glade []

This moment presents a unique opportunity to demonstrate true leadership and courage. Standing up against this bill is not just a stand for better education policy but a stand for the principles of local governance and democracy. I urge you to consider the longterm impact of this bill on our educational system and to act bravely in the face of political pressure. Decimating the AEAs as this bill tries to do would have catastrophic consequences for our educational system, punishing all children, but especially those most vulnerable. Please stand up for our kids!

01-29-2024

Anthony M []

As Republican voter I am deeply appalled and outraged by HSB 542 / SSB 3073 and find the bill deeply disturbing for special education and professional qualified staff at AEA in the state of Iowa. I am commenting to you today to ask you to oppose HSB 542 and SSB 3073. Since the creation of AEAs, they have existed to provide fair, equal, costeffective services across the state in the areas of special education, education services (such as literacy and math instruction), and media/technology. They provide resources that are too costprohibitive for schools to secure independently. The AEAs resources support all Iowa students, not just those in special education. AEAs follow the standards of service established in Iowa Administrative Code 281 and provide these services to all public schools and accredited private schools within Iowa. All the programs that AEA offer have supported children schools in every Iowa County by improving and implementing instructional education services as well in media/technology.I am concerned that if AEAs are dismantled and defunded as HSB 542/ SSB 3073 calls for, this will in fact result in a massive negative and adverse effect on the entire educational system of Iowa. And our children and our economy will ultimately suffer in the end.I hope you will join me in opposing this legislation in its current form. The governor promised a study and evaluation of the AEA system, but HSB 542/SSB 3073 removes the possibility for any improvement because it eliminates large segments of the system entirely. This bill needs full public transparency and engagement from parents, teachers, administrators, and others that will be directly impacted. I believe we are going about this the wrong way, and theres a better way to improve outcomes for Iowas students.

01-29-2024

Phillip DeMoss []

Vote No. These GOP idiots continue to follow the village idiot Kim down this rabbit hole in a race to the bottom. This years GOP legislative agenda steal public money and services from children with disabilities, Iowas most vulnerable citizens to give to Kims friends in private business. I see the Iowa GOP Dept of Ed just hired another idiot from last in the nation for education from New Mexico, Deb Elder. Idiots. This comes one year after adopting school vouchers like the type the number 48 ranked in education Arizona has in place. There is a special place in hell for all these GOP backers of this bill and amendments. May the ghost of the great Governor Robert Ray soon summon the grim reaper to kill this bill!!!

01-29-2024

Caleb Bonjour []

Dear Members of the House Education Committee,I am writing to you as the Superintendent of a small, rural school district in Iowa to express my profound disapproval of HSB 542, including its recent amendments. As an educator deeply invested in the future of our students and the quality of education in our state, I find the proposed changes in this bill concerning, even with the provision to allow districts to retain some additional funds.The revised bill, while appearing to offer a compromise by enabling districts to keep more funds, fails to address the core issue: the significant reduction in the capacity and efficiency of Area Education Agencies (AEAs). These agencies are not just service providers; they are vital partners in our educational ecosystem. AEAs offer specialized expertise and resources that cannot be replicated by individual districts, especially those in rural areas like ours.The proposed changes still result in our inability to access essential resources and expertise in a timely and efficient manner. Collaborating with local school leaders and content area experts through the AEAs has been a cornerstone of our educational strategy, contributing significantly to our successes. The bill's changes do not adequately explain how funding will be managed or how AEAs will continue to operate effectively. This lack of clarity is a source of great concern for our district and others across the state.Furthermore, the rationale behind the introduction of this bill remains unclear. AEAs in Iowa have consistently received high praise for their services and support. They have been recognized nationally as exemplary models in the education sector. It is perplexing why a system that has been so effective and beneficial is being targeted for such drastic changes. This proposed legislation seems to undermine a wellestablished and successful structure without a clear or justified reason.The potential impact of these changes is enormous. They threaten to widen the gap in educational equity, especially impacting rural districts like ours that rely heavily on AEAs for specialized services. It is not just about the financial aspect but the overall accessibility and quality of educational support that our students and teachers will receive.In conclusion, I urge the committee to reconsider the implications of HSB 542. Our focus should be on strengthening and supporting our AEAs, not diminishing their capacity to serve our communities. As educational leaders, we should be building on the successes of our AEAs, ensuring that every child in Iowa, regardless of their district, has access to the best possible education.Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I am available for further discussion and to provide insights into the impact of these proposed changes on our district and others like it across Iowa.Sincerely,Caleb BonjourSuperintendent, Gladbrook Reinbeck CSD

01-29-2024

David Hill []

Rural school districts like greatly rely on the services provided by the AEA. If this bill becomes law, local school districts will suffer both educationally and financially. Ultimately, students will be negatively affected. Furthermore, local school districts will struggle to be compliant with many aspects of the law without the support provided by the AEA. The recent amendments to the bill do very little to address the concerns. Instead of voting in favor of this modified (but still flawed) version of the bill, I urge you to vote NO and instead support an indepth evaluation of the AEAs which can guide new legislation that may be considered in a future legislative session.

01-29-2024

Ashlee Madetzke []

As a special education teacher I had a population of students that required extensive collaboration and consultation in Speech, OT, PT, and behavior supports. My AEA staff walked with me the three years I needed them. They helped me structure lesson plans, they helped me complete special education IEP paperwork that was compliant with Iowa IDEA, and they listened. They listened to my and my students parents when I didnt have anyone else. I CANNOT believe there is a world where we think our teachers will survive without that kind of support. Our schools are struggling with shortages as it is, we cannot believe limiting the support systems they do have is going to keep Iowa teachers in Iowa? This bill is going to cost Iowa amazing teachers. Please vote NO until we as a state can really review the AEA structure and how to enhance it together. Do not rely on people from outside our state to make the decision on whats best for our students and our teachers.

01-29-2024

Chris Wirtz []

I am commenting because I am against HSB 542. I am a preschool teacher 8n southwest Iowa. I currently work with our AEA speech pathologist with 4 of my students. We were able to get a communication device for 1 student and are currently working with 3 others on speech delays. I am grateful for our AEA team helping me help our children. I have also gotten information so parents can work with their child at home. I believe that just taking away our AEA system isn't the answer. We need to work with school districts, teachers, staff and parents to see what is working and look at possible changes could be made to our system. I am angered that there are already job postings on the dept of education website and this bill is in committee. Please vote no to this bill as you keep our children and families interests in mind.

01-29-2024

Mike Upah []

As more information comes out regarding the AEA bill, the legitimacy of the factors driving reform are increasing unclear. 1. Performance: the higher the performance of our students without disabilities, the greater the expected gap between students with and without learning disabilities would logically be. Using the gap as a need to overhaul the system is ingenious. Even so, in its last report the Department of Educations own data shows that the performance gap between students with and without learning disabilities is actually shrinking. MORE STUDY IS NEEDED. 2. Unintended Consequences: Private school and homeschool students currently access AEA services of all types without any outofpocket cost. When services are eliminated, a. All but the largest public schools will lack the economies of scale to replace AEAs, and they are unlikely to do so at the same ratio of cost to quality. b. Private schools access AEA services at no outofpocket cost. New funding is going to be required to create services for private school students. c. Homeschooled students currently access AEA services at no outofpocket cost. New funding is also going to be required for this student population as well. MORE STUDY IS NEEDED. 3. Local Control: The reform substantially reduces local control and centralizes authority and decision making in a growing bureaucracy at the Department of Education. 4. Winners and losers: It seems like Governor Reynolds and the Director of the Department of Education, (an office with tremendous turnover over the past few years) are at the top of a small population of Iowans who want the dramatic changes being proposed. Undoubtedly there is room for improvement in how AEAs are administered. However, trading away AEA services for accelerating tax cuts in the end will diminish Iowas best economic development tool our educational system, which is better because of the way AEAs create efficiencies and lower overall cost. It appears that there is an intentionality to cripple our public school system in favor of private schools It is said that dismantling AEAs is about accountability ... but private schools were funded last year in a manner that required no accountability. I am a product of Iowa education, a lifelong citizen, and a parent of two Iowa students. I am aware the services that AEAs provide, and see little chance that the private sector could ever replicate the AEA services, must less with any similar accountability, and feel it is impossible it could be done at a lower cost. Perhaps my mind could be changed by some data, but that seems to be in short supply by those pushing the overhaul. Our legislators MUST stand up to the Governor's demands to preserve public education.

01-29-2024

Heidi Farquhar []

I am writing to ask you to VOTE NO on SSB 3073. This bill does not give local control to the schools to benefit the children of Iowa who receive special education. This bill just gives control to the Director of Education and the Governor. This bill sets special education services back to 50 years ago in Iowa when the superintendents had control and they were not able to provide economy of scale services to their students. The AEA system provides economy of scale to ALL Iowa students! Currently any school district big or small knows that whatever service a student may need the AEA is there to serve them. They can call and arrange to have that service provided to their school/student and not have to contract or go looking for a provider. If this bill is passed as is small school districts will suffer the most, they will have to resort to online out of state services to provide Speech, Occupational or Physical Therapy, school psychology etc., which takes away jobs for local Iowans who are currently providing that service locally to the school districts. These local providers are spending money in Iowa, contributing to the local economy and paying taxes! All systems can improve, take the time to do a full comprehensive review with all key players at the table. Invite students, parents, teachers, school administrators, AEA staff and Department of Education to review the current AEA system and bring those recommendations to the next 2025 legislative session. The Department of Education failings and misguidedness are not the fault of the AEA. The data they are using is too small of a sample. Remember AEA's do not provide special education instruction, they support special education teachers and providers. And all special education students are general education students first! The teacher pay increase is definitely needed but again the governor is only giving the districts money for this increase for one year and leaving them to figure out how to maintain those pay raises on their own for future years. Stop this bill and saves Iowa's children future of education. Vote NO on HSB 542Thank you for your time. Sincerely Heidi Farquhar

01-29-2024

Carrie Hendricks []

This bill would make it harder for schools and teachers to get the support they need. It would put ALL the control in the director of the department of education. We hear about bureaucracy being the problem but this seems more problematic than having administrators who understand their own districts.

01-29-2024

Kandi Brittain [Educator and parent ]

Please vote no for this bill. The AEAs provide valuable services to all of Iowas schools, both public and private. These services include special education services, professional learning, and media services. Our public schools cannot afford to not be served by the AEAs. Our children will pay the price if this bill passes.

01-29-2024

Chris Engelstad []

Under governor reynolds tenure NAEP average test scores have decreased every year after being steady for 15 years. Iowa's once excellent public schools are now average, and decreasing. Governor Reynolds has demonstrated she cannot affectively goven our public school program. She should not be making decisions that could affect the education of our states children.The AEA however has been a high functioning agency for fifty years. They've developed the infrastructure, knowledge and experience to support public and private education. In no part of this bill is the necessary framework to transition away from an already functioning system. Please don't support, this poorly planned bill.

01-29-2024

Amy Gulling []

This process needs all stakeholders to analyze the data and agree upon presented facts to decide necessary next steps. In order to do this, it is essential that this process slows down and that our legislators do not act quickly in a response to misrepresentation of information.

01-29-2024

Carrie Hester []

I wanted to again advocate for the AEA system as a whole and especially for the students and parents that are going to be impacted in one way or another. I would like to share that I have been praying every morning for the education committee and the governor as you navigate through this process. I know that I am naive, but my hope is that all the decision makers will think of the children, families, and schools that will be impacted and do what is truly right for our state. I taught my own children, as well as my "kids" at school the definition of integrity. Please do what is right; the bill as it stands right now, is not. This shouldn't be about parties, but rather OUR KIDS.I have been reading through the proposed amendments and I can not see anything that proposes to close the achievement gap that the Governor is adamant that needs to be closed. This bill/amendments restructure AEA's in a catastrophic way and will cause irreparable harm to the entire education system.What in this bill helps students? What in this bill helps parents?What in this bill helps schools?Can you answer these questions based on the proposed amendments? Please do not vote for this bill. I beg you to, at the least, slow down and listen to the stakeholders. At this point, my heart is broken and my faith in our education system is lost if this passes as is. Please give me a reason to not feel this way.

01-29-2024

Brenda Niblo []

Please vote no to this bill. Every educator I know has expressed how the AEAs help public schools meet the needs of all students, and are especially impactful to students with disabilities. Our smaller school districts need the AEAs to provide expertise and support that there is no way they could efficiently and successfully locate and provide on their own. This bill essentially would require these districts to try to find resources local with very specific expertise on their own. Having the regional AEAs available to every district with shared resources is a more efficient and effective model than making every district fend for themselves. I grew up when Iowa was held up as being the highest standard for public education. The governors ideas on education are negatively impacting all facets of public education and this is just another example of it. If there is improvement to be made there are better and less destructive ways to do it than completely dismantling a system that has provided much needed services for decades. Vote no on this bill

01-29-2024

Megan Weaver []

I oppose SSB 3070 and ask you to vote NO. Iowans do not want this for the children of Iowa and we know, as do you, that this will do nothing but hurt schools, families and children.The information that the Governor has been sharing is misleading and sometimes completely false. High stakes decisions about our children's future cannot be made with halftruths. We need to have every stakeholder (parents, teacher, superintendents, AEA personnel) at the table, working together to develop a comprehensive plan. There is no data to support the decisions that are being made and no data to show that what is being proposed will make any difference. What it will do is take valuable resources and relationships away from our school districts and families and replace them with a system that is filled with chaos and uncertainty. As a member of the Education Committee, you have the power to stop that from happening.Please do the right thing for the children of Iowa and vote NO to SSB 3073. The consequences of getting this one wrong are too great.

01-29-2024

Angie Orr []

As a special education teacher for over a decade, I do not support this bill. Our AEA staff plays a large role not only with students I work with but the population of the school. When teachers and AEA staff look at progress of the students, we look at the entire student. If a student is not making progress we dont through out the system we use, we look at what parts and instructions need to be changed to help the student. We dont get rid of it all. It is a team effort.Data at 4th and 8th grade is one part of a student. It is one glimpse of whether a student tests well or not. That doesnt reflect the staff of not meeting the needs of students. If this bill passes, it will be a big loss for students and staff.

01-29-2024

Dustin Gean []

Please vote not on the AEA bill and amendment.Just the way this bill has been bandied about is a disservice to the children of Iowa who receive support from the AEAs and a slap in the face to the educators who work for Iowa AEAs. If you have a problem with the salaries of the top admins at the AEAs, cap it. If you have a problem with too many AEAs, reduce the number. If you have a problem with the test scores, quit cutting the AEAs millions of dollars year after year. Instead you've made thousands of good people worry if they will have a job or not, you've called thousands of educators who have dedicated their lives to helping children "failures". This is unconscionable. This bill is a disaster for Iowa and Iowans. Please let this bill die.

01-29-2024

Melissa Williams [Mother of 2]

I am writing specifically to those of you who support HSB542 as a concerned citizen, parent, and educator, urging you to carefully consider the potential consequences of supporting this bill, that threatens to dismantle the AEA system in Iowa.As a resident of this state, I want to emphasize that the proposed bill is causing significant worry and distress among the people. We have witnessed Governor Kim Reynolds' divisive initiatives in the past, and HSB542 stands out as a threat to the very fabric of our public education system.This November marks an election year, and I want to highlight that the people of Iowa are paying close attention. The widespread opposition to HSB542 is evident, and your inboxes prove it. We, the caregivers of the children HSB542 is directly going to impact, will remember those who stand up against it. Your vote on this crucial matter will not go unnoticed.Governor Reynolds' destructive approach to education is concerning, and supporting HSB542 may have implications during the upcoming elections. The people of Iowa are united in their opposition to this bill, and we expect our elected representatives to listen to our concerns and protect the future of our children.I implore you to consider the gravity of this situation and vote against HSB542. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the wellbeing of Iowa's education system and the trust placed in you by your constituents.Thank you for your attention. I trust you will make the right choice for the children of Iowa by voting against this bill.

01-29-2024

Karen Wessel Hesse []

After reading the governors revisions to HSB 542/SSB 3073, I urge you to please oppose this bill. The revisions fall severely short of addressing the multitude of concerns that have been expressed by the citizens of Iowa. For example, I am extremely concerned that this bill moves decision making authority to the Department of Education and away from local AEAs. Giving this much authority to the Department of Education is a clear example of unnecessary government expansion. More time and conversations are needed in order to thoroughly understand the issues and arrive at a solution that best meets the needs of all Iowa students. I respectfully ask you to listen to your constituents and reject this bill.

01-29-2024

Kailyn Wasielewski []

am a Speech Language Pathologist with Grant Wood AEA and strongly urge you to vote no to SSB 3073. I've seen so many comments demonstrating the necessity of the AEA so I won't go into much detail. I ask you to please take a deeper look into the services the AEA provides and the necessity of each role the AEA has in ALL students' needs and consider the negative implications that dismantling the AEAs has on the success of all learners. Support our AEAs and vote no to SSB 3073.

01-29-2024

Kate Fisher []

This bill is harmful at best. It will not only gut the AEAs but Iowa will lose many professional educators. The biggest losers in this will be the kids, especially rural kids. If we would like Iowa to have a future we must protect our kids. Please vote no on this bill. Please listen to you constituents!

01-29-2024

Jennifer Mars []

I am asking for a NO vote on Wed. The bill and current amendment make drastic changes to the AEA system. The Governor has said this will support local control but the amendment references moving control to the DE or DE Director over 100 times. How does this represent local control? There are numerous concerns about the current responsiveness and abilities of the DE without the additional duties being proposed by this bill. As a resident in a small rural district, I don't see my district needs being met with this bill. The support services, print/media services and professional development needs would be too costly without the AEA and force a district to choose between needed services. Proceed with a comprehensive study with all stakeholders at the table (parents, administrators, AEA staff etc). Make the table BIGGER, not smaller and have open and honest discussions so that our children get the best services and education possible. Please vote NO!

01-29-2024

Gina Beck [Ankeny Community School District]

As a Talented and Gifted (TAG) Specialist in a large school district, I have experienced the tremendous support and expertise Heartland AEA TAG Consultants have provided. They have supported our district through an intensive program review by assisting this process with the Gifted Self Audit Planner (GSAP), a Heartlandcreated audit tool designed to evaluate gifted programming to ensure compliance with Iowa Code. The tool allows a district to collect and analyze data in order to identify areas of strength and areas of refinement. It is the gold standard for evaluating TAG programs. Following the initial implementation of the tool, the TAG Consultants have continued to provide ongoing professional development, support, and guidance as we work through the program review process to improve practice and service. Their support has been paramount to the work we have been able to accomplish. With no federal dollars allocated to gifted funding and finite resources districts have to support students, this level of support is crucial. Students receiving gifted services have intense and unique learning needs. Local schools rely on local AEAs to support all students, including those receiving gifted services. I cannot adequately express my gratitude and respect for Heartland AEA for the high quality support they have provided.

01-29-2024

Kristine Kienzle [School board]

If you feel like the amendment to the AEA bill has improved in any aspect, it has not. If you think districts will have local control, as Reynold continues to preach, they will not. In this amendment 1)The Department of Education could override local school & school board decisions 2)If a district chose to raise tax dollars to sustain the loss of funding & support, the DE could say no 3)If a district decided to partner with the AEA's remaining services, the DE could still deny the partnership 4)Requires using the Science of Reading curriculum program, which removes the choice from the district 5)Shared positions between the district and AEAs (like social workers, SBOs, and technology support) could no longer exist; districts would be on their own to find & fund support 6)This bill eliminates $32 million from districts, removing access to media services, and does not route the funding back to districtsI need help understanding the big picture here... Is it privatizing education, or is it forcing small schools to consolidate? I do not know how districts (especially rural ones like ours) can sustain the same level of care with even less funding and resources. My heart is hurting for our public schools and all Iowa students. Advocate for you public people on the amended bills now!

01-29-2024

Ryan Robison []

I STRONGLY encourage you to vote NO to SSB 3073! As the father of three children, I can not imagine having our LOCAL AEA supporting my children, their teachers, and their schools. This plan does nothing but give all of the power and oversight to unqualified people in Des Moines. AEAs do SO much good for ALL children. This plan was completely created by a company outside of Iowa, which has ZERO real knowledge of our state, our AEA system, and the needs of rural Iowa. Instead, I challenge us to take some time and get the REAL "players" (parents, school teachers, school administration, AEA staff, DE staff, etc.) at the table for a review of the AEA system and how it can be improved. MUCH more thought and processing MUST be done before we can destroy a successful system that has helped MANY children, teachers, and schools for 50 years! YOU are elected to represent US, the voters, now it is time to do your job and truly LISTEN to us, and vote NO to HSB 542!! Thank you!

01-29-2024

Nicole Hall [Parent]

As a parent of a student whose learning needs were beyond that of the regular education classroom, Im grateful for the services the AEA provides. My son, his teachers and our family depended on the AEA help his teachers offer effective strategies for him to learn the material, to help monitor progress, and for accountability and legal follow through when things slipped through the cracks at the district level. He closed the gap. His test scores were not our concern, his progress and practical application of what he learned were. SSB 3073 WILL HURT IOWA STUDENTS. Please listen to your constituents. Serve the people who elected you. Serve their families. Protect education. Please vote NO to SSB 3073.

01-29-2024

Melissa Williams [Mother of 2]

I am writing specifically to those of you who support HSB 542/ SSB 3073 as a concerned citizen, parent, and educator, urging you to carefully consider the potential consequences of supporting this bill, that threatens to dismantle the AEA system in Iowa.As a resident of this state, I want to emphasize that the proposed bill is causing significant worry and distress among the people. We have witnessed Governor Kim Reynolds' divisive initiatives in the past, and HSB542 stands out as a threat to the very fabric of our public education system.This November marks an election year, and I want to highlight that the people of Iowa are paying close attention. The widespread opposition to HSB 542/SSB 3073 is evident, and your inboxes prove it. We, the caregivers of the children HSB 542/SSB 3073is directly going to impact, will remember those who stand up against it. Your vote on this crucial matter will not go unnoticed.Governor Reynolds' destructive approach to education is concerning, and supporting HSB542/ SSB 3073 may have implications during the upcoming elections. The people of Iowa are united in their opposition to this bill, and we expect our elected representatives to listen to our concerns and protect the future of our children.I implore you to consider the gravity of this situation and vote against HSB 542/ SSB 3073. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the wellbeing of Iowa's education system and the trust placed in you by your constituents.Thank you for your attention. I trust you will make the right choice for the children of Iowa by voting against this bill.

01-29-2024

Dorothy Coffman []

As a parent I am urging you, begging you, not to move forward with this bill. My son is a kindergartner and has been receiving assistance for fine motor skills and writing, and for his as of yet undiagnosed ADHD. He doesnt qualify as a special education student and would already be behind his peers without the services provided by our AEA. He is just one of countless students who would be directly harmed if this bill passes.Iowa was 1st in the nation for education when I was growing up in the 80s and 90s, we are now 28th. Our public schools were a source of pride for Iowans. We need to further bolster our public schools and our AEAs to bring our public schools back to where they once were at the top of the nation; not put forth legislation designed to privatize and diminish them.Iowans dont want or need this bill. We need our AEAs to continue to be funded and functional so our children can thrive in their education. The governor claims she supports parents choice, we parents are telling you and her we dont want this legislation to move forward.

01-29-2024

Kris Baldwin []

I do not support this bill in any form. I am writing to ask you to please listen to Iowans and vote NO. This bill will hurt all children. Please listen to your constituents and let Iowans know their children are more important to you than your relationship with the governor.

01-29-2024

Denise Perez []

As a constuent I want to document my opposition to this bill. The AEA provides invaluable services to Iowans. Educators, school districts, and families use every single service provided by AEAs. Giving teachers more money does nothing if the supports they count on from the AEA are not available. Please shut down this bill before more damage is done to our public education services.

01-29-2024

Melissa Williams [Mother of 2]

I am writing specifically to those of you who support HSB 542/ SSB 3073 as a concerned citizen, parent, and educator, urging you to carefully consider the potential consequences of supporting this bill, that threatens to dismantle the AEA system in Iowa.As a resident of this state, I want to emphasize that the proposed bill is causing significant worry and distress among the people. We have witnessed Governor Kim Reynolds' divisive initiatives in the past, and HSB 542/SSB 3073 stands out as a threat to the very fabric of our public education system.This November marks an election year, and I want to highlight that the people of Iowa are paying close attention. The widespread opposition to HSB 542/SSB 3073 is evident, and your inboxes prove it. We, the caregivers of the children HSB 542/SSB 3073is directly going to impact, will remember those who stand up against it. Your vote on this crucial matter will not go unnoticed.Governor Reynolds' destructive approach to education is concerning, and supporting HSB 542/ SSB 3073 may have implications during the upcoming elections. The people of Iowa are united in their opposition to this bill, and we expect our elected representatives to listen to our concerns and protect the future of our children.I implore you to consider the gravity of this situation and vote against HSB 542/ SSB 3073. It is an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the wellbeing of Iowa's education system and the trust placed in you by your constituents.Thank you for your attention. I trust you will make the right choice for the children of Iowa by voting against this bill.

01-29-2024

Lynn Kleinmeyer []

I implore all legislators to please listen to your constituents and to put a complete stop to this bill. The evidence is resounding: your constituents do NOT want this to move forward. I implore you to ask yourself: What problem are we trying to solve? If this is TRULy about supporting our most vulnerable students, please ask yourselves how the proposed changes will actually solve or improve upon anything? The AEAs serve ALL learners, from the adults to the students. The AEAs are a crucial intermediary between the Department of Education (& governor) and our Iowa school districts. Taking away vital professional learning, instructional resources and thought partnerships, access to resources (physical and digital), support in navigating and implementing state mandates (such as computer science, NGSS science standards, etc.) and stripping away vital structures, supports and resources that allow systems to function efficiently will hurt every school district, but will be especially crippling for our small districts. Again, I implore you to ask questions and seek first to understand how education works before making any changes. If there are suggestions for how to improve, please communicate those via the accreditation process and allow the AEAs to continue to support our students. A bill is not necessary.

01-29-2024

Marissa Berryman []

SSB 3073 is harmful to all students and staff in Iowa schools. I spent my first few years in education supporting small town schools in rural Iowa and to know the students who would be left without adequate support and services is heartbreaking. Our schools deserve better than this bill and substantial loss in services and funding is unacceptable. Iowans have made it very clear that they do not want this bill to move forward and I hope our voices are heard.

01-29-2024

Colleen Knipper []

Please vote NO on SSB 3073. AEAs support all students and teachers across Iowa, in public and accredited non public schools. They improve access to and equity of support for rural districts especially. You are elected to represent the people of Iowa, and the people of Iowa overwhelmingly support our current AEA system. There is always room for improvement, but this bill does not offer concrete solutions to improve anything. It lacks data to support what is proposed. If we actually want to improve education for all kids, and especially those receiving special education services, then reject this bill and take the time for a comprehensive evaluation that includes parents, teachers, AEA personnel and district administrators rather than rushing a bill written by an out of state organization without any experience in our schools or working with our AEA system. Our kids deserve better than to be used as political pawns.

01-29-2024

Lauren Vanderhorst []

Please do not move this bill forward. Iowans deserve a true comprehensive review of our AEA system with input from ALL stakeholders. Anything less than that is a disservice to the youth, parents, families, educators, and community members in this state. I am particularly concerned about how rural schools will be impacted by this bill. Please listen to the people that you represent. We are speaking loudly and would welcome the opportunity for conversation.

01-29-2024

Laura Hanson []

Please vote no on SSB 3073. For what problem is this a solution? Its so frustrating to watch money being funneled into private schools while being told we are unable to fund our AEA. These services are crucial to Iowa children and are the foundation for Iowas reputation for quality education. Please consider the impacts this legislation will have on rural Iowans and those with special needs.

01-29-2024

James Craig []

I encourage our Senators to split up SSB 3073. The most significant investment in teacher pay should not be dependent on the AEA portion of the bill to pass. It is also an overreach for the Dept. of Education to be given authority to require and prescribe curriculum when schools have success with instruction, assessment and intervention that are working for their students.The AEA portion of the bill has numerous flaws:* The Guidestone report compares Iowa to Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Educational services for students in these states are not the same, and the resulting comparison is skewed. * The NAEP reference is based on less than 0.3% of Iowa students with IEPs who took the test in 2019. Other states have an optout for NAEP; Iowa does not. This data point is too insignificant to justify a rehaul of our AEAs. The reference to ISASP leads us to ask why would need special education at all if there werent discrepancies between students with IEPs and their peers?* The Iowa Department of Education (DE) struggles to fill the positions they have because of tumultuous turnover. While there are great people who work at the DE, the Department struggles to roll out initiatives and operate with transparency. The DE is illprepared to handle a transition of this magnitude and certainly shouldnt be expected to do it in the next few months.The AEA portion of the bill should be studied further with the AEAs in the room. Teacher pay should be passed without controversy and independent of other bills. The Science of Reading is a good curricular program, but there are others working for students also. Split up SSB 3073 and lets really do whats best for our kids.

01-29-2024

Laura Hanson []

01-29-2024

Carrie Dodd []

Please vote NO on SSB 3703 that guts AEAs and takes local control away from districts!! Small, rural school districts don't have access to services that the AEA provides so most families won't be able to get the help they need. There also are very few options in our area to "contract out" the services. The Crisis Teams that we rely on will be cut, as will so many other services that schools, students, teachers, and families so desperately need. Please continue to question this bill and please vote against it. Public education is on the brink in Iowa where we used to be topranked. If we want to make Iowa education great again, the only way to do it is to stop dismantling it and fund it properly.

01-29-2024

Brooke Dornack []

Please vote NO! Do not use grossly misrepresented data to make sweeping changes to a system that serves ALL children in ALL districts in Iowa. Pull the stakeholders together and approach change in an informed and planful manner.

01-29-2024

Jenny Rants []

I am writing this comment as a veteran special education teacher. Please take the time to read these comments......we are all saying the same thing. Slow this Bill down and listen to the people that will be impacted by this. In my experience working with students who require special education services, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact that AEAs can have on enhancing educational outcomes. AEAs serve as vital resources that bridge the gap between local school districts and the unique challenges faced by students with disabilities. One of the key strengths of our Heartland AEA lies in their ability to provide professional development opportunities for educators. As a special education teacher, I understand the importance of staying updated on the latest research based practices, interventions, and assistive technologies. AEAs facilitate workshops, training sessions, and collaboration that empower special education teachers to continually improve their instructional practices.Our AEAs play a crucial role in our school districts in providing specialized services and resources. Whether it's access to assistive technologies, specialized curriculum materials, or expert consultation, AEAs are instrumental in ensuring that ALL teachers have the tools and support needed to address the unique learning needs of their students. Our special education students are general education students first, these services go beyond just assistance for special education.

01-29-2024

Kristy Tiedt []

As a mother, Iowa citizen, and voter, I beg you to vote NO to HSB 542. I have read through the bill and amendment. I feel this bill is being significantly rushed without taking the time to hear from valuable stakeholders and spending time digging into data and information to ensure we are making decisions in the best interest of all students. My children are general education students and I have significant concerns on how this impacts my district. I also have significant concerns on how ALL students across the state will be impacted. The decision is clear, vote NO.

01-29-2024

Kelly Gallagher Gallagher []

The AEA system is designed to provide equitable, efficient and effective services. All the money in the world cannot buy services that dont exist. Our kids, families and teachers deserve the guaranteed support that the AEA is designed to provide. IEPs are legal documents a lack of or delay in services could result in lawsuits. Our state is better than this.

01-29-2024

Alicia Moos []

The AEAs have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of schools, teachers, and students. They have continued to be responsive to those changing needs despite the legislature repeatedly cutting millions of dollars from their budgets. The innovative professionals of the AEAs use multiple forms of valid data to make changes and educational decisions. Which is what you should be doing as well. I strongly oppose this bill/amendment, and plead with you to do the same! These drastic changes are not in the best interest of children! Pushing a bill like this through so fast, without valid data is what is unconscionable!

01-29-2024

Cynthia Newton []

This legislation in any form would be a travesty to all Iowa Educators, Students, and Families. Vote No! My AEA story is unique as Im a master teacher who was hired just last year on an Administrative SPED license which switched to conditional this year. The need for SPED teacher is abundant throughout the state. I will complete my course work for my Strat I SPED licensure this fall. The Heartland Area Education Agency is the #1 reason I have been successful in my position. My district hired me, but they depend on the experts at the AEA to deliver my training and support me weekly in my position. I couldnt have done my job without the AEA. The DOE also has amazing employees who unfortunately cant even do their jobs to the best of their ability, because of the control of the DOE Director and her boss Kim Reynolds. Putting the control of the AEAs under the DOE umbrella will cause more issues than it will ever solve. Please vote no.

01-29-2024

Kelsey Bowers [2172259]

This bill isnt what Iowans are asking for. When did we reach this point where the voices of our Governor and an outside consultant outweigh the thousands of voices of your constituents? On what other issues have your inboxes overflowed with few to none in support? Why arent the experts that work closest to this issue at the table negotiating the contents of this bill? How many at that table have served in a public school? How many have met with families to explain that their child has a suspected learning disability? How many have designed interventions to ensure adequate growth and development toward those milestones? How many have tried out dozens of accommodations, modifications, assistive technology devices, and more to test their effectiveness? How many have consulted with experts in their fields to see how integrative services might accelerate growth? How many have drafted an IEP that ensures these interventions remain in place as the child advances grade levels or should they change schools? How many have considered the implications when all of the supports holding up our underfunded schools are stripped away? How many kids will have to fail before we rebuild what this hastily organized bill destroys?I cant think of many things on this earth that matters more than our kids. Id like for our legacy to be one where we left our kids better than we found them. Im confident the results of this bill will have quite the opposite effect.Oppose this bill. Do right by Iowas kids, their futures depend on it.

01-29-2024

Mariah Tousley []

Please oppose this bill. Iowa's AEA system is something to be proud of, and is what attracted my family to move to this state 8 years ago. My two children have both benefitted from AEA supports, both in general education and special education capacities. There is always room for improvement, but this bill will not achieve that desired outcome. This bill will gradually dismantle the supports and services provided by AEAs. It removes local control, and eliminates checks and balances. It puts public money into the hands of the private sector, and will very likely financially benefit outofstate entities. This bill will result in inequities for students and districts just based on location alone. It is not good for districts, teachers, students, or families. Stand strong in service to your constituents and vote no on this bill. This will not be forgotten.

01-29-2024

Michelle Elgin []

Please vote no on this bill. I have reviewed the full amendment and it does NOT fix the issues with the original bill. I thought we were proud of local control in this state and this definitely is not when schools and AEAs have to get "approval from director of Dept. Education". The amendment says the schools can decide if they want to use the AEA but if they have to ask for permission, they are NOT the ones deciding. This bill would harm rural schools like the one I grew up in and the one my son goes to now! My son has used the AEA since he was 6 months old and he is a senior now. This would be devastating to families and kids like mine. My son deserves and is promised a free appropriate public education. Please do what is right for the students of your state!

01-29-2024

Thomas Paulson []

This bill, and its amendment, are based on outdated, inaccurate and misinterpreted data. Looking closely at the rationale given for gutting the current system I have seen no credible evidence that the AEA has failed Iowa's children. And to say that no reduction of money to provide services for the disabled will occur under this bill ignores the truth that small districts will have to spend more to receive the same level of services they currently receive. And to claim that this is to give the districts the choice to choose how and where they want to spend their money is not the reality of its current structure. No district will be able choose to spend their money the way they wish without the approval of the soon to be allpowerful head of the Department of Education. I can't believe Republicans (my party) are pushing this. The bureaucracy that this will create will be less efficient and in the end will make things more difficult for the district and its teachers to take care of our kids. By the way, we are already hearing of quality people handing in their resignation letters to the AEA because of this disaster. I hope you will put an end to this and don't even send it to the floor. It deserves to die.

01-29-2024

Dominic Giegerich [North Linn CSD]

01-29-2024

Drew Bowers []

The AEA system has supported my child through some of the most challenging times of her and our lives. When Layla was born 14 weeks premature, we knew shed have a long road ahead in her development. After several months in the NICU, we werent sure where to turn to support all of her unique needs. Through our transition home, were quickly connected with Central Rivers AEAs support. Without the wonderful folks of early access, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and audiology support, she wouldnt be the thriving little girl she is today. To receive those same services through private providers wouldve been costly. Not to mention, they give her the tools to succeed in a schoolbased environment, something the medical model isnt built for or equipped to handle. Her teachers receive ongoing training from specialists in early childhood, literacy, and math that keep them current with educational research. Furthermore, Layla has access to critical technology and media that I fully doubt her school would be able to provide. Not only does it support my daughter and her needs, but Im certain it benefits her teachers and classmates in ways that ensure all kids benefit and succeed. I am concerned that if AEAs are gutted as HSB 524 calls for, Layla, and countless others like her will not have the bright futures that are currently accessible through the support that AEA is built to provide. The way this bill reads, these supports will no longer be centralized in the Cedar Valley, but will be based out of Des Moines. I cant imagine that will keep our local experts local. The educational experts who serve to support her teachers will be eliminated. The media and technology support she requires to thrive will be cut, and left up to her school to pay for out of their general fund. I hope that you will join me in opposing this harmful legislation.

01-29-2024

Patrick Tisher []

This bill continues to go against what is in the best interest of our educational system and Iowa as a state. As a law enforcement officer, we need more funding to schools, not less. The less we support kids' needs in school, the more likely that I will encounter them on the street. Fund our schools, support our kids, say "No" to this bill.

01-29-2024

Abbie Keibler []

This bill penalizes Iowas learners by denying them critical services. It puts districts in situations that are not financially feasible. It shifts management of staff to the DE without a plan for how to do so. It will encourage residents to leave to seek better educational options, shift costs to private / out of state companies, and force current tax paying Iowans to move to another state for comparable employment. Vote no.

01-29-2024

Andrea Christopher []

Please push pause on this bill. Take more time to find more information than what youve been given from the Governor. Im begging you to visit a local elementary, talk to a superintendent, talk to an AEA employee, or sit with a family who has benefited from their services. Education is about learning and growing. Teachers have taken on more and more in the past 10 years. AEA has been there to support them. Have you seen the increase in poverty in the state over the past 10 years? Vote no. Ask for time Why is there such a rush to close a system that has provided immeasurable supports to our education community?

01-29-2024

Abby Weiland []

Please listen to the outpouring of support for the AEA system and vote no on this bill. It is critical for those in positions of power to make decisions based on fact, and to listen to their constituents. As you discuss this bill, I encourage you to be learners, be critical consumers, ask questions. When things do not seem to add up, ask questions. When there is a rush in decisionmaking, ask questions. When folks are not willing to cite their sources or consider alternative possibilities, ask questions. I implore you to ask questions of yourselves, of your colleagues, of your leadership. Iowas kids deserve better than what this bill would give them and are depending on you.

01-29-2024

Melissa Melissa []

Honorable Senate Education Committee Members,Iowans have spoken. We are not in favor of this bill whatsoever. We do want a democratic process that has our elected officials representing us, not solely our governor and outside interests groups. We do want a fair and equitable way to improve the AEA/school relationship system with the current infrastructure in place with all stakeholders at the table. We do want education to be prioritized and funded adequately so we can meet the needs of all students, which includes supporting teacher pay AND keeping the AEA structure. Listen to your constituents. You work for us, not the governor. We would welcome an opportunity to sit down with you and talk more about how things work and how this will due unforeseeable damage to Iowa's students, families and school systems. *Thoughts are my own.

01-29-2024

Tinna Walberg []

I am asking you to please vote no for SSB 3073. Several issues with this bill will ultimately take valuable services away from all children and teachers in the state of Iowa. By spreading the money out, many districts will lack the buying power they have now to get what kids need in places where they already have a lack of resources. Who will districts call when they have a death in the district and need support? A group of students with a crisis? Help with finding a researchbased curriculum that aligns with standards. Help integrating technology into the classroom to keep students engaged. These are just some of the services that will not be available if this bill is passed. The report that this bill is based on was not written in Iowa with absolutely no input from Iowa stakeholders. Shouldn't we be asking Iowans what is working and what needs to be improved? I am fine with some outside input and for improvement but why completely gut the system? Additionally moving the AEAs under the Department of Education is taking decisionmaking about students further away from the students and eliminating a great deal of local control. In working with the DE in the last 25 years it has been my experience that it is difficult for the DE to be responsive to districts and their needs promptly. This would have to change drastically for this to impact the success of kids. I also ask that you consider separating the AEA bill from teacher compensation. They are both extremely important and deserve their own consideration. I also have a concern about the sustainability of our rural districts of the pay increases. I beg that you listen to people of the Iowa and do what is best for our students instead of following a leader blindly that seems to have little understanding of the needs of the students and families in Iowa.

01-29-2024

Nicole Kehoe []

I am writing today as a parent of three children who have been educated in Iowa public schools, two of which received services from our AEA. I am also writing as a professional social worker who has worked in Iowa for 25 years. I work every day with the most vulnerable Iowans and refer regularly to the AEA. I want to assure you that there is no safety net of services to fall back on for children and their families after this overhaul takes place. For more families than I can count, the AEA already IS the safety net. One example waiting lists for developmental evaluations for autism and other developmental disabilities in this state is 1218 months. You cant get a child approved for therapeutic services in the private sector until a diagnosis is made. So, who works with those individuals while they await evaluation? The Area Education Agencies fill that gap. And they do it well. The rapid increase in ADHD, Autism, sensory issues and mental health problems that I am seeing in our children is astonishing. We need MORE funding and professional supports, not a gutting of the organization that makes that support available. I implore you to support public education and actually prioritize the children in Iowa by voting AGAINST this bill.

01-29-2024

Tracy Weber [Heartland AEA]

Please vote no to this bill. This bill will hurt all students across the state of Iowa, not to mention put thousands of people out of work. Do not allow Governor Reynolds to run roughshod over the entire state in this manner.

01-29-2024

Marie Oleson []

Please vote no to this bill. My 4 month old grandson, who was born almost 3 months premature, has already benefitted from AEA services. I pray the benefits remain so that he has resources available to him throughout his childhood.

01-29-2024

Val Giegerich []

I am writing to implore you to vote no this bill. This bill is a disaster waiting to happen and is based on data that is limited and misunderstood. All AEA's practice, model, and teach a continuous improvement cycle. This involves analyzing multiple sources of data, identifying strengths, and weaknesses, creating a plan, implementing the plan, and evaluating the results. It seems to me that Governor Reynolds does not understand this process as she is using one data source and only noting her suspected flaws in the system. This bill cuts and eliminates jobs and services that are essential to supporting students, families, and educators. While any AEA employee would welcome a comprehensive review, that is not what this bill is proposing. In addition, it is apparent many people feel this bill will pass easily as positions have been posted by the DE as well as private out of state for profit companies. Adding to that, the Department of Education has terminated Family Educator Partnership Coordinators effective June 30, 2024, these humans serve as a liason between families and schools for students with special education needs. How is this making sure all students are receiving quality services? Professional learning is another area where AEA's shine. We follow guidance from national organizations as to what that looks like. The Governor's plan encourages educators to use online platforms created by the DOE. Online learning is not enough for high quality professional learning, research shows us that adults need practice, coaching, and modeling. Iowa needs AEA's ALL parts of the AEA's. Is there area to improve, absolutely, let's slow down, collect data, and engage all stakeholders in improving the system. Considering doing the same review of the DOE would also help to make services align and create more efficiency and effectiveness.

01-29-2024

Lacey Brakebill []

Please vote no and stop this bill. The students, teachers, and administrators of Iowa are counting on you to stand up for them and keep AEAs as they are currently. The data being used to validate the need for this bill is not an accurate picture of the progress taking place in ALL schools across the state.

01-29-2024

Marlin Jeffers [ISEA - Retired]

The Governors plan to reduce property taxes for the citizens of Iowa by dismantling an educational system that many states come to Iowa to try to emulate is misguided. Iowa created the AEAs over 50 years ago to assist all students, schools and families in the areas of Special Education, Educational Services and Technology Media. I experienced the AEAs as a student growing up in Iowa, as a parent when my children used the AEA services in Early Childhood when they were premature twins, and in my long career as a classroom teacher. I utilized services that made me successful as a teacher to assist students to be successful. I then went to work for Northwest AEA for 18 years as an Educational Consultant and then worked in several schools. I worked with hundreds of teachers, administrators, students, paras, other school staff and families. I worked collaboratively with professionals in Special Education and Technology/Media to provide quality services to all. The Governors plan shortchanges the educational system that has been created over time. The checks and balances are in place and have high oversight. To hear the Governor provide data that is vague at best, misleading the public that does not understand educational test scores, and making false statements about a profession I invested in for 35 years is misguided. As a retired educator it is important that we have quality schools for our economic growth and survival as a competitive state. We know it takes many people to take responsibility for test scores. It is not one organization to blame as she has done. It starts at the top with a Governor that listens to professionals in the educational system and gives them the tools and adequate funding to do their jobs. The legislators must pass appropriate legislation that helps students stay in the state and become successful citizens. The citizens who stay in Iowa need to know they can count on a system that was created to assist schools and focuses on student success. The only part of this bill that is acceptable is raising teacher salaries. One item that is not mentioned, is raising salaries for support staff that students see each day such as bus drivers, secretaries, paraeducators, nurses, school lunch, afterschool program supervisors, just to name a few. It is a team to educate these students and if you are a support staff employee many times you are making minimum wage which barely supports themselves or other family members. I urge you to stop SSB 3073 and let the Governor know she needs to put students first and not take services that the AEAs provide while promising to lower property taxes by dismantling a highly established Area Education Agencies.

01-29-2024

Katie Anderson []

I am pleading with you to please reject this bill and slow down and have a law written by the people of Iowa who know our system and can develop a law that will help all our Iowa students. Lets look at the data and make sound decisions for our own state. As our governor says our students deserve better this law will absolutely do nothing to help any of the students in Iowa. Savings? There will be no savings! Follow the funding trail. There will be no extra money. It will be devasting to our state. AEAs are not the only staff working with children with special needs. All superintendents are paid a higher wage. Small diatricts can't afford her proposal to pay new teachers that much. Let us keep our IPERs it is a sound retirement for the next 70 years. Why do we need to change to another retirement plan. Ask the constituents. IPERS is a draw to the field of education.

01-29-2024

Keri Renze []

Please vote no to SSB 3073! I am extremely concerned about education in out state if this passes. Iowa is already struggling to attract and maintain teachers and without the support of the AEA this will only make things worse, especially in rural districts. Please do your due diligence and slow this down. Perhaps a comprehensive needs assessment should be done on behalf of all students in Iowa to determine where the needs are. A decision of this magnitude needs to be based on sound data, not one test score on a sample of students. Our students and teachers deserve access to the highly qualified professionals at the AEA. Vote no!

01-29-2024

Tina Whalen []

I am asking you to vote NO to SSN3073. Iowas Public schools deserve more consideration than a fast tracked dismantling of the AEA system; a system that has served this state exceedingly well for many years. It is the envy of educators across the United States because it is locally guided and responsive to the current needs of the communities each AEA serves. The bill proposes replacing these services with something that is completely unknown and unfamiliar to schools in Iowa. Without a thorough study and thorough training to administrators and school boards about changes of this magnitude, decisions will be made without understanding of the true needs of the special education children the bill professes to support. Decisions will be driven by money, not student needs. If change is truly needed in the AEA system, you, our voted representatives, owe it to the thousands of educators and families in Iowa to make this change in the right way. This bill is not the right way to treat anyone! Again, I beg you to slow down and allow reason to lead and not political agendas.

01-29-2024

Julie McCarty []

Please vote no. The changes contained in this legislation are reckless. Some of the consequences will include the catastrophic collapse of the professional AEA workforce. This will negatively impact rural school districts the most, but will definitely impact the system statewide. The professional service provision and coordination provided now will be blown to smithereens and will not simply be reconstituted in another location.

01-29-2024

Tina Halverson []

Please do not pass this bill. The AEA infrastructure is already in place; the talent and expertise are already in place; the processes, practices, and partnerships are already in place; the array of services and supports is sound, relevant, and robust; the cost savings are clear; the outcry (outrage) of the constituency is palpable in every corner of the state.If assistance is needed, identify precisely where that assistance is needed, support it, monitor it, and make course corrections. Bring a lamp to illuminate our collective responsibilities, don't light a torch to burn everything to the ground!

01-29-2024

Brenda Gerdes []

I urge you to not support this bill SSB 3073 including all the amendments. I urge you to not seek any more amendments nor proceed with this bill until educators, administrators and AEA staff from all 99 counties can have a voice in how to proceed. Stand tall and be the voice of all iowa students. We should be increasing services to ALL Iowa children rather than decreasing services. Stand tall vote no and be heros for our children!

01-29-2024

Stephanie Robinson []

My wonder with this bill is, how is what Governor Reynolds is proposing really fixing the achievement gap? If it is about special education students not being proficient or closing the gap, then shouldnt she do more than rearrange monies and offer services to whom ever applies?Please vote No!!We need to have a comprehensive review and to use real data to support changes if founded

01-29-2024

Angela Dvorak []

Please vote no on this bill. This bill will cause harm to all children, families, and schools in Iowa. Special education, general education, and media services will be reduced if this bill is passed because schools CANNOT replicate these services using their funding alone. Each school district has a cost analysis of the AEA services and they cannot be replicated. Rural districts will be hurt the most by this bill. Many past and current reviews of the AEA system reference this concern because Iowa is a state with a vast majority of rural communities. The AEA provides an economy of scale of these services that is not sustainable if some districts do not opt in and continuous cuts are made. AEAs will not be able to plan for or maintain staff. This bill does not give local control, it actually gives ALL of the control to the government. The Director of Education will have ultimate authority to everything schools can and cannot due with their funds. There are 133 statements in the current bill directing authority away from local control and granting it to this person. This person does not have an education background or degree. This bill was written by an out of state group and their report has glaring errors that indicate they did not do a comprehensive review. The NAEP data points that are referenced are also not meaningful and only represent less than 1% of students with disabilities. Additional data points for student growth and students exiting special education in Iowa would be more relevant to this review. Iowa deserves a collaborative, comprehensive review of the AEAs with representation from ALL of the stakeholders IN IOWA. Over the last three years, the state has cut AEA funding by $76.5 million. We need to support the systems that support our students and we need to fully fund those systems. This bill does not do that. This bill removes necessary services from children, families, and schools. Please consider taking the time this matter deserves and allow for a thoughtful and meaningful review of the AEA system and all of the educational supports and services for Iowas children. Vote NO to this bill and do whats best for Iowa.

01-29-2024

Alicia Patten []

Please oppose SSB 3073 in all forms. Iowa students deserve the best and gutting the AEA system, without a reputable review (using questionable data), is reprehensible. The AEA's provide equitable resources for all students across the state, no matter where they live, or what their school can afford. This bill will severely limit access to information for all students, all teachers, and most certainly will target rural schools.

01-29-2024

Sarah Waskow []

I encourage you to slow down and study the implications that any bill that dismantles the AEA will do to our schools. The AEA uses a service model that ensures all students and districts have fair and accessible services, whether they are in a city or rural. Please continue to listen to the stories and wishes of Iowans.

01-29-2024

Jenny Irlmeier []

Please do not pass this bill. Doing so will impact the small schools by limiting their services and in the end hurt children and families that need these services. I don't see how giving schools the choice on how to spend the funds is going to be a cost savings as schools will pay for profit prices for services and rural areas not have them available. The AEA provides valuable services to schools including mental health. This bill is not good for Iowa students.

01-29-2024

Taresa Fetzer []

I am writing in strong opposition to this bill. Dismantling the AEA's will have life long impacts on every student in Iowa. Please, slow down and take the time to make the best plan for our state, our schools and our students. Once done this can not be undone. Why rush such a major decision. If we want what is truly best for students, we need to use multiple sources of data. The Department of Ed should be familiar with the RIOT process, since it's found on their i3 Iowa IDEA Website. RIOT is a process that requires educators to Review, Interview, Observe and Test. The i3 website states, "No single procedure may be used for determining a child's developmental functioning and eligibility thus the RIOT process ensures multiple sources of information are used to make decisions." Maybe it would be a good idea for Governor Reynolds, Director Snow and all legislators to use the RIOT process to evaluate and assess the AEAs. Have they REVIEWED relevant information gathered from multiple sources? Have they INTERVIEWED and truly listened to parents, students, teachers, grandparents, AEA staff? Have they completed any OBSERVATIONS? Please, go out to the schools. Spend a day with teachers, AEA staff, administrators, students. Gather good observational data. Finally, TEST. The i3 website states when describing TEST, "convergence of data gathered through a variety of means." Has Governor Reynolds and Director Snow used a convergence of data or used a small data set that was shifted to meet their needs? Have they used a variety of means to collect testing data? Please, hold yourselves to the same standards teachers, educators and AEA staff are held to when making life altering decisions on a daily basis. Please use multiple sources of data to make life altering decisions.

01-29-2024

Mary Larson []

This bill is a horrible idea. AEAs serve all children and school staff. Without AEAs offering continuing education credits, I would not have been able to renew my teaching license. Without AEA consultants in my classroom, I would not have had strategies to try to support students who needed that extra help. Why is this bill trying to take away one of the good things about Iowa Education?

01-29-2024

Connie Moore []

My children have all benefited from the resources of the AEA, even though only one of them has qualified for "special education." I am sure you notice there is essentially no support for this bill from constituents. Please listen to the people and let the democratic process work! Vote down this bill. It is not what the children of Iowa need.

01-29-2024

Brenda Barnes Tousley [Just a concerned grandparent]

I am writing to express my concern over SSb 3073/HSB 542 (the AEA bill), as a concerned community member and grandparent of two children who have been supported by the AEA, both through general education and special education services. If you would like to speak to me more about my grandchildrens experiences with the AEA, I would be happy to share more or speak with you personally. I know the governor has released an amendment to the bill, I fear that the changes will not be responsive enough to the input of Iowas stakeholders. It was reported that all AEA directors would be political appointees which, if true, would eliminate all checks and balances. Additionally her office indicated that districts could ask for support for students outside of special education, but that must be approved by the state. I am concerned that takes control away from the local districts and educators and places it in the government's hands. If data is demonstrating a need for improvement, please remember that responsibility does not fall on the shoulders of one single entity. Instead, the education of Iowas students is a collaborative responsibility and requires partnership between the Department of Education, AEAs, schools and districts, parents, and legislators. A comprehensive review of the entire educational system in Iowa, including a close look at programs, resources, training, guidelines, and funding should be conducted over a period of time before determining where and when to implement changes. Without this essential step, changing the current structure and placing all of the blame on AEAs is not likely to have the desired effect. In fact, districts and schools have consistently given high satisfaction ratings to the AEAs across the state. This indicates the breakdown and issues are not because our AEAs are failing. Before moving to Iowa and becoming a grandparent, I worked as a School Psychologist in the school setting. The reputation of Iowas AEAs was ringing in the ears of our professional community even from states away. In fact, the Iowa Department of Education even commends the AEAs on their own website saying As intermediate agencies, AEAs offer the kinds of services that can be most efficiently and economically provided on a regional or cooperative basis among school districts. The Iowa system is widely regarded as one of the foremost regional service systems in the country. The proposal to allow districts to opt out of AEA services would remove the economy of scale advantage that original legislation ensured, and will weaken the ability of AEAs to provide numerous high quality services to districts. This will impact ALL districts, but the largest impacts and inequities will be seen in our rural districts. In addition to this concern, I want to address the current proposal to shift total control to the Department of Education. AEAs are held accountable through regular accreditation processes completed by the Department of Education, and an annual comprehensive documentation audit. Shifting more control the DE will take away local control, and remove the possibility of solutions being developed by those who know their schools and districts needs best. AEAs are controlled by locally elected boards because this offers both accountability and local control. If changes need to be made to improve special education outcomes, please work directly with your school boards, superintendents, teachers, AEAs, and parents to discuss how legislators can work as part of the team to support that improvement. Thank you so much for your time and service. I trust you will listen to the thousands of Iowans voices that have spoken out in opposition of this bill with specific examples of how this legislation will be bad for their students and schools. Please vote in opposition of this bill and any insufficient amendments that are released. At this time it appears the governor is not listening to her constituents, but you have the opportunity to show your constituents the power of democracy.Sincerely,Brenda Tousley

01-29-2024

Karla Klein []

This is a mistake! As a mother of three kids we chose to stay in Iowa because they would get a quality education with media services and instructional support services from the AEA, or even special education supports if needed. Eliminating those options and access would be a huge step backwards and not the direction we should be leading our children.

01-29-2024

Maureen Whited []

As a Republican voter, a parent of children who attended Iowa public schools and a concerned resident of small town Iowa, I urge you to vote No to HSB 542/SSB 3073. I urge you to investigate why the Governor insists on pushing a bill written by people outside of Iowa who don't know Iowa's education system, except on paper. All of the facts are not presented correctly and some have been left out completely. This bill removes control of curriculum, buying power, and funding decisions from local school districts and places it in the hands of an appointed (NOT elected) official at the Iowa Dept. of Education. It reduces services to Iowa families who depend upon it, regardless if they have a special needs child or not. Supposedly, some of those services will be implemented at the DE, who doesn't have the infrastructure or the staff to handle the enormous workload that the AEAs currently handle deftly and professionally.I can see why a comprehensive review of the current AEA system might be desired. Still it amazes me that this bill places the blame for deficient special education test results squarely on the AEAs and none of it at the DE. If the current system needs a comprehensive review, then by all means let's take the time to do that with parent's, student's, educator's, school district administrators and AEA input. Also, teacher compensation needs to be placed in a separate bill. It has no bearing on the AEA issue. If this bill goes through committee, you will be doing a great disservice to your constituents, to your fellow Iowans and most of all to our children and their future.

01-29-2024

Samantha Sierer []

This bill is not supported by the majority of Iowans and is based on false information. This bill will further burden school districts across the state and also will be more harmful than beneficial to Iowa students. Listen to your constituents and vote NO to this bill.

01-29-2024

Angie Hance [Parent, grandparent, taxpayer, voter]

I urge you to listen to the citizens of Iowa. This is one of the most controversial bills ever introduced and the nonsupporters outweigh the supporters considerably. If you look at those registered for and against, the overwhelming majority do NOT support this bill. I would like to know the real impetus behind the urgency of this bill. If it is truly about children, time MUST be taken to review the proposed legislation along with the short and longterm implications. This hurts children, so why rush a decision without a true study on each piece of the proposed legislation and the impact, what can be changed, what needs to stay, etc. If it's about money, that is a completely conversation and we must approach the Governor differently. You tell me is it about money or kids? Your CONSTITUENTS are saying NO. These are the people that voted you into office. Make a wise choice for our children. And ask anyone in the school, the AEA, researchers, etc how much influence 1 piece of data should be put on an enormously big decision. I'd also like to know how much was spent on the report from Guidehouse for their report, which was prepared devoid of any real input from anyone in the state of Iowa that knows about the AEA system. Ive heard $1 million. Let's be transparent with the voters of Iowa. Wasteful spending at it's worst.

01-29-2024

Doug Graham []

Please vote NO for SSB 3073. This bill affects real people and real children. Please dont dismantle the school support system that districts all over the state rely upon.SSB 3073 doesnt provide Economies of Scale for the school districts in Iowa. A small school district in Iowa could use up all of its funding for legitimate purposes, and then what would they do? Right now if there are additional needs in a district, the AEAs step in to help, and it doesnt cut into the districts budget. What will happen to the rural schools if this bill is passed?Please vote NO for SSB 3073.

01-29-2024

Kim Mayer []

As a former para educator and having children ( grown now) attend private and public school.I am against this bill. Our second born daughter was born premature and AEA assessed / and provided services to her for her to transition into a regular preschool/ the rest of her educational years. AEAs provided both of my children with speech services in elementary school as one of the many services I have seen within the school systems! Gutting the AEA will be detrimental to children and educators alike as educators rely on training to do their jobs. If you want to attract teachers and paras to the state, gutting the AEA will be a NO GO for many excellent educators !VOTE NO ON THE BILL

01-29-2024

Judy Nadrchal []

As a parent of a child with special needs, I am VERY concerned that my son will not get the support from AEA that he needs to access his free and appropriate public education. This bill takes away many general education services from ALL students at every school, including private schools. It will make it harder for families to access services for students, and for professionals to be able to serve the kids. It takes away professional development to ALL educators in the state of Iowa. It takes away local control and gives all the power to the department of education to make decisions for their students. None of these changes will help students. Please take the time to figure out what is really needed, before making such drastic changes to the AEA.

01-29-2024

Mariah Howard []

This bill should be opposed. As a direct service provider with an AEA, I have and continue to receive training, guidance and resources on laws and procedures that allow me to provide school based occupational therapy services in a way that allows students to make adequate progress while accessing FAPE within their least restrictive environment LRE. Medical service providers do not have this background and may leave students missing instruction and educational opportunities while working on isolated skills outside of their educational environment. Terminating contracts of knowledgeable and responsive administrators to be replaced by the DE which is not local or equipped to support the needs of the entire states will have detrimental effects on schools and families.

01-29-2024

Tiffany Pedersen []

For a bill touting that it is prioritizing student achievement, and then going after the support service agency instead of looking at a comprehensive evaluation involving key stakeholders, the irony is not lost. Best practice tells us in any system, databased problemsolving is needed. Fortunately, the AEAs have several trained in these steps and in reviewing data and supporting systems. So much so the DE has historically charged the AEAs with carrying out these data reviews and providing resources. You see, AEAs as I have often viewed them, serve as a go between needs of local communities and the more compliance based DE. This has meant lots of collaboration, oversight, and changes. When there is a compliance focus from the state, it is usually the AEA we see offering the services, resources, and support in bettering our practices. This is no slight to any other entities. Could there be improvements? Absolutely! This bill does not address that.In all of this bill there is not one action directly tied to supporting students. Instead it appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to take more resources away from education (re: kids). There is no longterm plan provided to support the teachers who will face much larger responsibilities with less resources, and less contact with those to collaborate and problemsolve with. Continuing to ask educators to do more with less, and then privatizing the services or changing to feeforservice will continue to push educators and young Iowans out of the state. This bill also lacks the longterm planning in salaries as well. Teacher salaries should be separate and truly discussed.There are so many reasons why this bill is so detrimental to STUDENTS and their COMMUNITIES. We could easily go on, and the breadth of comments already indicate this! Since January 10th, I have spent countless hours pouring over words of those so much more eloquent than myself describing the impact of AEAs and voicing their concerns with the proposals, the lack of data, and transparency. It is hard to be succinct with such a variety of reasons why this is bad for everyone. Adding to the anxiety of also knowing at this point the education and opportunities of thousands of Iowans are in the hands of legislatures and their politics. It is my hope those who are elected to represent these collective voices take heart, this bill is not in the best interest of Iowans, present or future. Please, vote 'no' to SSB3073.

01-29-2024

Wendy Johnson []

Please hear out the numerous residents of this state saying Vote No to this bill. It will be detrimental to our children and all those choosing to serve in both private and public education. Read and listen to the facts, slow down and ask questions!

01-29-2024

Wendy Johnson []

01-29-2024

Kate Peterson []

Vote NO to SSB3073, I am a parent of a child with special needs and a paraeducator. Consistency, stability, and structure are the key to success with our students. The AEAs make all of this possible from birth to adulthood. We are pleading for you to say no, slow down, and take the time to really speak with all stakeholders about better ways to reform special education. This is not the way. This will disrupt 70,000 special needs students' education upon implementation. There's no way you can make sure there are no gaps in services with the timeline provided for all of those students. Nothing done with our children, is implemented in this kind of way, so quickly, without consideration for the individuals involved.

01-29-2024

Jessica Korf []

I am a concerned citizen speaking out against SSB 3073. I have so many concerns and so much frustration as 1a parent of two children one on an IEP. Who I feel the need to state is first and FOREMOST a general education student he gets an extra layer of support due to a disability, but that is not the biggest piece of who he is. Get that right. I have a second child who has worked through interventions and is supported through AEA resources every day in her classroom. 2 a speechlanguage pathologist at an AEA in my 13th year working with students birth213 someone who was assisted with resources and kindness after my son's teacher was murdered.*Guidestone report: we don't qualify students for IEPs the same as the other states in the report! The student numbers cannot and should not be looked at as the same thing. *NAEP testing information isn't a true measure of student progress that is occurring every day. This small representation of all special education students isn't a true dip stick gauge of student progress. *Special Education instruction is given by special education teachers in the schools, AEA staff help with evaluation and consultation/coaching. Teachers need effective programming, instructional coaches, and classes/training in order for effective teaching and student progress to happen.How can services agreed to on a legal document be followed through with all of the change that is being proposed? We are one of the states with the lowest number of IEP cases being brought to court. Families are happy with services being offered and progress being made. That would change with districts attempting to find therapists to cover. I work for the Heartland AEA and can contact a regional director, administrative assistant or data specialist by phone or email and get assistance the same day, how would this happen with a department that doesn't know me and oversees the entire state? Not only would jobs be lost, students/families may lose service providers they have worked with for a decade. Would all the students be covered in time? Will therapists have a caseload doubled in size leading to therapy being compromised due to group size or having to create mixed groups that aren't a good match? That type of situation isn't sustainable.No school can predict their needs for the following year. You can take a best guess, but one year I had 10 students move in with speech IEP goals I didn't have any prior knowledge of any of these students when I finished the previous school year. I am just one of the AEA providers. If an accident happens, an ELL family moves in, a few students are found to have significant hearing loss or a student needs a communication device...that school needs to have decided by February of the previous school year to have AEA or outside resources. How will schools be able to budget in the first few years of this type of scenario? Schools will be scrambling to find therapists, they will be stretched thin resource wise or trying to figure out what fits in the budget. How is that best for children?My son has an IEP, when he has a rough behavior day, our social worker many times is in the building and is able to assist in helping him get back to baseline and problem solve with staff. What will happen with this bill is teachers will be left without valuable support that they need. Early childhood classrooms with multiple students on behavior plans, speech goals/devices, fine motor needs and gaps in academic skills? They will struggle. The teachers can't do it all and without teams to come in and support, students will fall further behind. I agree that we should take that deep comprehensive look at student scores AND skills they are gaining. Students deserve the best and our best. If you truly listen to the voices being raised here and throughout the state over the past few weeks you will see that the bill/amendment proposed are not matching what is wanted and the facts being thrown around are skewed and cannot be taken at face value without looking deeper.

01-29-2024

Bridget Castelluccio []

The proposed amendment to this bill does not meet the needs of our schools, students, and families and will have great impacts if passed. The AEA system supports educators and students in many ways. The van delivery system brings science materials, books, classroom learning kits, adaptive p.e. items, educational activities for students, robots, print materials, and many other items that would be challenging for school districts to purchase. Small districts and schools, both public and private, depend on tech services to maintain and support for computers and learning management systems which are used for attendance, grading, and student learning. Digital Learning supports educators and students with technology integration and learning platforms. These supports were crucial when many districts needed support for virtual and online learning. The AEAs statewide are supporting House File 2629 requiring computer science instruction grades 112. There is equitable offerings for professional learning, handson workshops, student learning events, and robots to check out for student coding. Counseling, mental health, behavior, school improvement, math, literacy, science, future ready, talented and gifted, online digital resources, media resources and many more services which are available for all public and nonpublic schools. There is so much more. I have benefitted from all of the services as an educator for over 15 years. My adult children benefitted from these services during their years in school. If districts are forced to have to budget and decide which services they use and do not use, then there will be inequity in each and every school district. There will be hard decisions to make about spending this money and it will not be as efficient or economical. Are there areas of growth for the AEA system? Absolutely so let's bring all the stakeholders to the table for a comprehensive review that is done by the people of Iowa. Let's invite students, parents, families, community members, educators, and legislators. Let's have a plan for improvement for academic and social emotional growth for our students. As a parent, educator, and community member, I do not support this bill. I ask that the legislators serving our state listen to the voices being shared with concern for this bill and vote no.

01-29-2024

Amy Ball []

Please do not allow this bill to pass as it will destroy the ever so important work done by the AEAs for every student, teacher l, and administrator in the state of Iowa. Once known as a state that prioritized education I am sick to my stomach as the possibility of this passing. I have been an educator in the state of Iowa for 33 years and have spoken highly of their services provided by GWAEA, I am now employed by GWAEA and marvel the all encompasing effective and efficient services provided to support all children. Thank you for your consideration!

01-29-2024

Anne Delaney []

I respectfully oppose the proposed SSB 3073/HSB 542. All of Iowas AEAs complete regular audits with the Department of Education, with the most recent audit completed in the fall of 2022. If there was a concern with the efficiency or compliance of AEAs, this have been shown in a regular audit. Our rural schools and students will suffer the most. AEAs provide efficient methods of sharing media and educational services that our schools would not be able to afford on their own. If a school chooses to hire outside services, who will train those providers on IEP compliance? This is something that our AEAs are responsible for. If we expect our student performances to improve, who will provide professional development to our teachers? This is also a task the AEAs are responsible for. Please consider our students as a top priority in this situation, the future of their education is at stake. Please vote NO to the proposed SSB 3073/HSB 542 bill.

01-29-2024

Molly Bailey []

Please vote no on this bill. Please listen to the parents, families, educators, and people of Iowa who are clearly not in support of this bill and how it would affect the children of our state. Please listen to these many people who are emphatically in support of the AEA. Many of us have witnessed the benefits first hand, with children who have supports in place because of the dedicated work of those in the AEA. Of my 3 children, I have one who has received speech therapy and special education. But I also know that my other 2 kids benefit from the AEA, as does my husband who is a teacher. Iowa schools (and students!) are better because of the AEA and more should be done to support them, not to diminish them. Please get this right.

01-29-2024

Amy Pattee []

I am against SSB 3073 and you should be too! Here's why: Local decisionmaking authority is transferred to the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, another agency, or is simply eliminated 133 times from current Iowa code including eight transfers of decisionmaking power away from the State Board of Education (elected positions) to the Iowa Department of Education Director. It provides the Iowa Department of Education Director complete and sole authority over AEA staffing, contracts, salaries, reorganizations, and dissolution of AEAs. Where are the checks and balances?No funding to support the local school district choice for AEAs to contract for media services. They are "allowed" to use educational services funding for media services (with the approval of the Director of the Department of Education) thereby forcing schools to choose between core content education instructional services or media and digital resources for instruction. Quality instruction requires that teachers have access to all the tools in the toolbox, not just the ones their districts can afford or the the Director of the Department of Education approves.Gives the Department of Management power over total tax levy remains. (Note: If a school district does not reduce the tax rate to account for the removal of media services, the Department of Management will do so.) This provision will allow the Department of Management to arbitrarily reduce a districts levy after an elected board approved the levy rate which will establish precedent for overturning locally controlled decisions by the locally elected board.Prohibits the economical sharing of positions between AEAs and school districts, and would terminate current agreements in place to share positions such as social workers, school business officials, teacher librarians and technology staff. How are small districts going to comply with the state mandate to have a teacher librarian if this is eliminated? The Fee for service model is vague, eliminates equity and access to services currently provided by AEAs and will leave small rural schools at a huge disadvantage.There is no explanation of how these changes will result in better test scores for special education students as was the reasoning behind the Governor's proposed bill.The rapid timeline to dismantle and restructure a system that has been in place for 50 years in less than 5 months. We are still waiting for guidance from the DE around SF496 and what the investigation process will be and that passed into law during the last legislative session.PLEASE do not vote based on political party lines, but what is BEST for ALL students and schools and what the MAJORITY of Iowans who elected you are BEGGING you to do PLEASE VOTE NO!

01-29-2024

Holli Counsell []

Dear subcommittee members,I am writing to you as a concerned constituent, parent, and educator. There continues to be many inaccuracies presented in the amended bill. It provides very limited data and multiple sources of data were not considered. Educational stakeholders were not invited to collaborate during this entire process. A standardized test is only a snapshot in time. It does not take into account other measurements of student progress and success. This bill does not give local school districts control, it only gives control to the Department of Education and the governor. Small rural school districts will especially suffer. Please dont fail our children who are invaluable. Vote NO! If the purpose for learning is to score well on a test, weve lost sight of the real reason for learning. (Author: Jeannie Fulbright).

01-30-2024

Julie Graber []

As a former teacher who utilized services from the AEA & an AEA consultant who provided services to several school districts in two different AEAs, I urge you to not support the AEA bill even with the minor adjustments made. This bill will hurt the students of IA so if the concern is that students are not performing like they should, this bill would make things worse. As a principal, I have heavily leaned on the AEA in all three departments (Ed Services, Media & Special Ed.) The services that the AEA has provided to me, the teachers, paraeducators, children and families have been very beneficial to help with the various needs that we cant provide ourselves. It is already a struggle in districts with the issues that students are coming to us with and with the lack and quality of teachers in the profession so we dont need another hit like this to harm our educational system.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Kingery []

AEA staff know and serve every single school district in Iowa. They are in homes and classrooms to support students as well as parents/caregivers, teachers, principals, and superintendents. SSB 3073 and HSB 542 propose to destroy the relationships between AEAs, schools, and families that are essential for students' success, and replace them with an inequitable system that is controlled by the Director of Education (and has no data to indicate that it will be effective). There are many reasons to VOTE NO to these bills, but the most important one being that it is NOT in the best interests of Iowa's children. Please do NOT support this misguided legislation.

01-30-2024

Cheryl Jackson [Parent/retired educator]

It is very apparent there is little (if any) support for this bill, in any form. Bottom line, this will not benefit students, or families, or school districts. Ask yourself who does this benefit??? Who wins? More importantly, who loses? This does not offer thoughtful decisions and improvements but instead rash, misinformed ones. If there is a need to evaluate the current system what is the harm in taking the time to gather ACTUAL data, ACTUAL facts, ACTUAL suggestions from educators, families who use the services, and AEA staff? Please question why local control looks less local than what currently exists? Please question how moving all the power to ONE person with no actual background in either education or Iowa is helping students. Changing AEA services does not support parent choice, especially in less populated areas. It will simply make services less accessible for families who JUST NEED HELP advocating for what their child needs. Its very obvious there is no voter support for this measure. Please do what you were elected to do, REPRESENT your constituents, not rubber stamp whatever is put in front of you by the Governor or even worse an out of state entity with no skin in the game. Please show us you choose kids over politics. Vote no, I promise that Im not the only one watching to see if you listen to the will of the people.

01-30-2024

Jessica Smith []

I am a mother of a child with zero special education services and one child with extensive special education services. This bill terrifies me for the future of both of my children. I work in a local preschool and I see students of all abilities benefitting from AEA services. PT/OT/SLP/Psych comes in and the teacher uses materials all of the time from the AEA for all students. The details of this bill will destroy special education. Yes, services will still be required, but if districts have more control over their service providers I worry that districts will also try to dictate what/how those services operate despite looking at true student need, which is illegal and opens the door for remediation. The AEA currently offers FEP services for free, but remediation without FEP will be extremely expensive for districts with lawyers. When my sons needs arent being met at school, when FAPE is being denied, I will do whatever it takes to give him his legal right to services. So would thousands of other parents. Iowas children deserve the best. This bill gives them the worst. The ripple effect will be felt in our society for years.

01-30-2024

Holly Gerber [River Hills School]

I have been a special education teacher for the past 21 years, and I am desperately urging you all to kill this bill. I have worked with AEAs over the span of my entire career to provide the best services I can to my students. To systematically dismantle AEAs as this bill intends, is a direct assault on public education itself. The consequences of HSB 542 are absolutely devastating to Iowas children. Iowa kids, families, and educators need their AEAs and ALL of the services they offer!

01-30-2024

Hannah Hanson []

Please vote no on this bill. Its impacts would greatly harm our current education system. Take your time to ask the hard questions, get the people who provide services at the table and bring in districts who utilize these crucial services.

01-30-2024

Martin Lonsdale []

Registered Republican here: Stop Governor Reynolds. This is NOT how the majority of Iowans work together. Vote this in and Get voted out, your call. Thank you for slowing down and not following out of State interests. Former Governor Ray, must be mortified to see what Kim Reynolds is doing here.

01-30-2024

Linda Buttgen [Grandparents ]

I have grandchildren who use this very valuable resource. To purposely disrupt her education using false and incomplete information provided by this governor is cruel and directly limits my grandchildren from receiving a quality education in Iowa. Please stop this bill before you do catastrophic harm to the children and families that live in Iowa.

01-30-2024

Kim Engelstad []

Please listen to your constituentsparents and schools know this is best for Iowa! This will not be a cost saving measure for districts as they will not be able to afford the level of instructional support they are currently receiving from the AEA system. This does not allow for "local control" as services need to be approved by the DoE. The US DoE is not coming after IA because we are a state that "Needs Assistance" (22 other states also received this designation) and the AEA has been working hard to support the DOE with compliance. Vote NO on SSB 3073!

01-30-2024

LADONNA FLUGUM []

As parents of three children who received services from the AEA and as grandparents of 3 preemie grandchildren who received services from the AEA, we do not support this bill. In our extended family we have also seen the results that come from services that the AEA provides. Public education is important to our family, my husband served on our local school board for 9 years and we have two daughters that are currently working with Iowa public schools. They do not support this bill. We as rural taxpayers need these services to help and protect the children of Iowa public schools!PLEASE vote against this bill that is trying to dismantle the services that our Area Education Agency provides!

01-30-2024

Catherine Petersen []

This bill does not have the design or the process to help students with disabilities it will hurt them instead. Iowas AEAs are not failing; Iowa students need all parts of the AEA, including experienced and marketrate paid administrators. This bill would create less oversight, not more, would weaken local control (not increase it) and would cut services for general education students and talented and gifted students. Please support our Iowa students by rejecting all changes to our AEA structure, leadership, and services.

01-30-2024

Chris Arend []

I am imploring you to vote NO to this amendment! As you can see from the MANY posts here and the MANY emails you have all received, Iowans are opposed to this bill. Are you listening?! Please remember you were elected to represent US, your constituents.not the governor. Please listen to US!! The AEA plays an important role in many aspects of education for ALL students. This bill will hurt schools and educators!! If it is passed, it will be impossible to undo. Vote NO!!!

01-30-2024

Alice Louisa []

Please vote "no". I have children who have received AEA support in the past and I am extremely worried about the damage a bill like this will do to future children, especially those in rural districts. How is the AEA supposed to plan for the future and attract and retain staff with this much uncertainty? Districts don't have to notify the AEA until June whether or not they'll utilize the AEA, who is possibly going to want to work at the AEA with this much uncertainty? This is bad for kids, period. This bill is harmful and unnecessary. Consolidating more power with the Department of Education and removing the power from local boards goes against my conservative values. AEAs have also proven to save taxpayer money, if you open up this system to forprofit organizations the taxpayers are going to be in big trouble. I am a Republican and I vote, and I will remember this!

01-30-2024

Jennifer Cline []

I strongly oppose Bill 542 and its proposed amendment as it poses a threat to the longstanding effectiveness of our Area Education Agencies (AEAs). With 30 years of experience as an educator in Iowa, I have witnessed the invaluable contributions of AEAs to our educational system.As a teacher, I benefited from the additional materials provided through media, and I received crucial support from a special education consultant who regularly coached me in compliance and instruction for my special education students. My own children benefited from media resources, and as a grandparent, I've seen the positive impact of Early Access Services for speech on my grandson.Now, as a special education consultant with the Central Rivers AEA, I am able to daily coach, consult, and collaborate with various stakeholders. The comprehensive services provided by AEAs, including resources through media, creative services, educational services, and coordinated administrative support, are integral to the quality of services I can offer.Removing any part of the AEA system would hinder my ability to effectively provide essential services to administrators, teachers, paraeducators, students, and families. Therefore, I urge reconsideration of Bill 542 and its proposed amendment to preserve the vital role that AEAs play in our educational landscape.

01-30-2024

Audrey Erickson []

My wonder is if there are concerns about AEA, why are we not looking at how things can be improved versus completely changing all things. A large part of what AEA does is Research, Interview, Observe, Test (RIOT) to help us make decisions and make goals for our students. It appears irresponsible to go about these changes that are being proposed without taking time to RIOT. You have seen the support and immense concern from all over Iowa, so there was obviously a lack of true understanding of what Iowa wants/needs from our governer. I'm sure there was good intention, but there needs to be realization of what harm this will do. Changing to the Dept of Ed is a huge concern in itself. There is already days to a week wait before hearing responses back with questions for them (I understand they are busy!). Now you are wanting all of AEA agencies to have to look to them for any questions/decisions? That alone will hurt the process. Also, the deadline that decisions about what services to agree to needs to be made? How is that feasible for schools to decide which option they choose when the bill isn't even passed? Our students will not be getting appropriate support or therapies that they need to achieve. It seems to be such a careless act being done to our students.

01-30-2024

Lynn Selking []

I urge you to vote no. Bring stakeholders together for reform. This bill and the plan it lays out did not have input from schools or AEA. We don't know how it was written or by whom. The schools are the clients. Ask them and then listen to them.

01-30-2024

Diane Jackson []

Please vote no for ssb 3073. This bill is based on misinformation. It is not in best interest of rural Iowa or our children. I worked as a child protective investigator and as the central Point of coordination for mental health. It was vital for my work to partner with AEAs in rural iowa.

01-30-2024

Mindy Cairney [REPUBLICAN VOTER]

HSB 542 is a disgrace to the state of Iowa. As a Republican voter, I am disappointed that our leadership has proposed such a bill with absolutely no research or data to support it (and no, your disinformation you are trying to sell to us doesn't count). Iowans have a history of prioritizing education. We cannot cut funding to the AEA system and expect to improve test scores. Iowa's history reflects that.The AEA has a long standing reputation of working as a unit. The employees and educators of the AEA are considered experts in their field and are able to provide topnotch support and service to teachers and school districts because they are a welloiled machine. They are able to tap into the expertise and skills of other departments when needed, unlike a privatized company. You can't dismantle a team and expect better results. Special Education students are general education students first. Iowa educators, with the support of the AEA consultants, design instruction that meets the needs and uniqueness of each learner in the gen ed classroom first. We need these content experts at the AEA to help support our teachers. How long will our teachers be able to do this without any support? Technology removes barriers, opens the walls of the classroom, and collects data to help teachers make instructional decisions. The AEA provides discounted prices, or even free resources, to school districts to leverage technology in ways smaller school districts (and even some large ones) might not otherwise be able to afford. The AEA also manages districtwide infrastructures at a discounted price (even break/fix services). This provides a unique opportunity for smaller school districts to join a coop to lower prices of an otherwise huge expense. But without the AEAs this is all gonebut yet the service is still needed. What will school districts do?It is time to set aside your pride, Governor Reynolds, and admit you were wrong. You didn't understand how ingrained the AEAs were in our education system. You didn't understand all of the services that were provided. You didn't understand how a state could love it's children and teachers more than it loves money. We need to invest in Iowa, our students, and our teachers. Prove to your constituents that you are listening. Prove that you belong in a position to make such big decisions. Iowa won't forget.

01-30-2024

Amy Ramsey []

I do not support this bill. It is built of false and incomplete information and would be detrimental to schools and students. If there are concerns about the AEA, do a comprehensive review with input from involved stakeholders.

01-30-2024

Elizabeth O'Neill-Rich []

Dear Senatos Evnas, Donahue, and RozenboomPlease stand with the children of Iowa by supporting Area Education Agencies. My name is Liz Rich. And, I am a school psychologist. For the past 25 years I have gratefully served the district of Ottumwa. I graduated from Mt Pleasant high school, graduated from Southeastern Community College, and married a boy from New London. We are from the rural communities. My husband and I both interviewed for jobs in Ottumwa over Christmas in 1998, and then we began work the following fall and have never stopped. When they interviewed us, there was some debate about whether they should hire us. Some people thought it was a mistake to hire us because we would never stay here in this community. Our positions had been open already for a number of years. Surely people who moved from Cedar Falls would not stay in rural Iowa the lowest paying AEA in the state. Some people thought they shouldnt hire us because we were married. What if our marriage didnt last then what. But, here we are. We cancelled all the other interviews and we came. I would be a second generation school psychologist and my husband a first generation college graduate. A first time graduate after his own school failed him and he did not graduate from high school he earned his GED and a scholarship for overcoming obstacles to get to college. We have stayed and we have raised our family here. We have served as stewards to our union. We have served as parents, and community members and as your school psycholgists for 25 years. And we take personally every child who is not making progress because they are all our children. As this bill came to my awareness I started to gasp for breath. The fears eat me day and night What about the mother and the father in the NICU today who is promised that no matter where they live they will receive services in every county of Iowa. Services that will be delivered in the home and will be equal in every county. What about the rural counties and school districts learning to live for the first time as a bilingual community? What about the schools that are wrestling with new curriculums and the laws regarding dyslexia and how best to make the most progress? What about the mother who leaves a voicemail for someone about her worries for her childs suicide ideation and she knows someone will return her call no matter where she lives. What about the cities that are torn apart by crisis, will there be a team to arrive tomorrow? What about the fierce conversations that are able to happen because there is separation between the AEA and the LEA? What about the fierce conversations that can happen because AEAs who have served local areas for a long time have built relationships that have endured. What about the behindthescenes administration and technical work that happens for special education that will have to be delivered somehow? What about the libraries, and the print shop that will help my tired teacher friends get through tomorrow for a little less cost to themselves? What about professional development? I have said for a long time, that when the school is happy with me they call me Liz. When they are unhappy with me they call me the AEA.I stand before you today, Liz Rich as the AEA and thank you. Thank you to the parents who have reached out to stand with the AEAThank you to the teachers who have made clear that they stand with the AEA.Thank you to the retired near and far who have reached out to me to say they stand with the AEA.It has become clear to me that as I gasp for breath that they have thrown me a rope to say we know that the work the AEA does matters, that it provides a service to every child near and far that is equitable. That is is not perfect, but it is among the best systems in the united states in a state that has complex needs. Today they call me Liz and thousands and thousands of tshirts and voices say We stand with you.

01-30-2024

Kelsie Davis []

This bill is going to seriously destroy supports for students, schools, and families! You cant take supports away and expect things to get better! As an Iowa teacher, I utilize services provided by the AEA on the regular from special education services to trainings provided. If this goes through, I am honestly terrified for education in this state!

01-30-2024

Kerri Schwemm [Parent]

Please provide evidenced based information that indicates that diminished local control; reduced economies of scale; dismantling of a national model; and state wide loss of collective intelligence will actually improve student outcomes? How in the world do you think this will benefit ALL children?

01-30-2024

Faye Allen []

I strongly urge you to oppose this bill. It is imperative that you take time to learn facts about the services our AEAs provide, understand how they support Iowa districts and students, and learn what actions may improve educational outcomes in this state rather than passing a bill that has little hope of positively impacting students or school districts. Our kids deserve thorough action and discussion related to this matter, not a rushed decision.

01-30-2024

Teran Buettell []

Im writing to you in your role as a subcommittee member responsible for making decisions about the AEA Bill. I know youve received hundreds, if not thousands, of messages opposing this bill. You have been given facts addressing the assertions justifying the bill. Youve heard the personal stories of stakeholders from all walks of life. Have you read the Guidehouse report? Ive only just received a copy of it this morning and it has become evident that there are errors contained therein. Im asking that this process be tabled to allow yourselves and stakeholders the opportunity to carefully examine the information being used as a rationale for completely decimating our public education support system. I realize that some of you may fully support privatization of our educational system, but such a decision should not be made lightly and certainly not at the recommendation of companies and organizations that stand to gain financially from such a move. I also understand that some of you are under incredible pressure to vote yes, under threat of sabotage for your upcoming reelection vote in November. I believe that when someone is elected to office, they take upon themselves an oath and obligation to act in the best interest of the public. Our government is set up to have checks and balances. Thats why we dont have a monarch. It is the job of the House and Senate to ask tough questions of the governor and each otherthats the check part. It is also their job to ensure that there is balance in the interests of the differing perspectives and needs in the general population. Decisions should not be made simply to support ones chances of reelection by following party line. I implore you today, to act with the integrity of the office you hold, to ask hard questions, listen to all perspectives, and take time to examine all of the facts, then use critical thinking skills to develop a plan that is right for Iowa. We all want our kids to succeed. We want to close the gap. Lets give this solution the time it deserves to develop one that makes sense. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Cheryl Kardell []

It is quite apparent from these comments here that there's not a single person in favor of this bill. Why the rush? Why shove it through like this? My daughter has greatly benefitted from the Grant Wood AEA her entire school career. She's currently a sophomore and has a cognitive disability. I shudder to think about where we would be without these services. She speaks because of speech therapy that we could not otherwise afford. She benefits from therapeutic strategies available because of the shared resources. This is a rural district and she, her peers and her general education classmates all thrive because of the availability and access to our AEA. I know you feel pressured by Governor Reynolds. Whatever your reasons to fear her wrath cannot be a factor here. Isn't it clear this isn't what is best for Iowa with this many voices in opposition? Why isn't there one single person saying this is a good idea? Why doesn't she have anyone besides herself saying this is even a need that warrants such immediate and swift action? SLOW DOWN. Please. These children deserve better than a throw away bill that doesn't benefit them in the long run. Please. Please just table this for more research and input from the people who actually use the AEA. Not some special interests of our Governor who clearly doesn't know or care what Iowans truly want. Her national agenda isn't relevant. Listen to Iowans. Please.

01-30-2024

Stelpflug Sara []

How does this bill intend to improve student achievement? It says the AEAs are at fault for the achievement gap and we no longer need their services. How can the DE possibly support our students and families in the same way that the AEA currently is? How can possibly improve student achievement with less?

01-30-2024

Janelle Kralik []

As the parent of a child with language delay, I was able to witness how my district AEA SLP was able to work with him and us. Hence, he was able to begin kindergarten on the same level as his peers and ready to learn without worrying about not being able to communicate. As a retired early childhood/early childhood special education teacher, I had the opportunity to have a wonderful AEA staff assist and support me with the different levels of students I have had over the years. I was an experienced teacher but that didnt mean I was able to do what was best for each of my students with significant disabilities without the assistance from my AEA partners. They helped me set up my classroom, prepared materials, and gave me more support than I have space to list. Living in a small, rural committee, I and the families I work with don't have convenient access to services that bigger communities have so Im so grateful for the help they were able to give me. Their help was not only for working with my students/families but for their support when I was uncertain if I was doing what was best for my students. If our Governor feels there are concerns about the operation of the AEA then lets work together by inviting students, parents, families, community members, educators, and legislators to the table to take the time to thoroughly review this over making a hasty decision that could have a negative effect to the future of our children and families. Put Iowa students and families first by voting NO on SSB 3073/HSB 542.

01-30-2024

Kristi Allison []

As a parent of an 11 year old with Down Syndrome, I can personally speak to the benefits of the AEA for children and families. She has been receiving AEA services since birth. First in our home and her daycare setting and now at school. Along the way, all the caregivers and teachers in her life have benefited from the expertise her AEA team has provided. Their expertise and guidance has helped us all work together to help her be her very best. I do not understand what this bill is trying to fix or why such drastic measures need to be taken for a system that has and continues to benefit my daughter and my family so much. Please stop and ask yourself how this bill will help my daughter. I have trouble believing that the true reasons our governor is pushing this through so quickly have anything to do with what is best for my daughter and my family.

01-30-2024

Shelli Blazic [Parent ]

This bill will eviscerate AEAs and professional services that support all children in Iowa. In order to support students with disabilities we must also recognize the differentiated supports necessary to be successful in the general education classroom. This means you cannot only address special education. I vehemently oppose SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Bryan Reed []

The Governor and others have told us the reason for this bill is to address concerns with special education scores in Iowa. That makes it very simple to measure what this bill will do and if it should move forward. Des Moines Public School has had the option to opt out of AEA services for 50 years, which is the option this bill will give to all districts. Iowa has had a 50 year research trial to see if this bill will improve special education scores. If an honest look at the Des Moines public data doesn't show improved scores compared to the rest of the state, then this bill should not move forward. If this bill moves forward and the Des Moines data doesn't show improved testing scores, than that means that the public has been lied to and there are other political agendas at play and the Governor and those that vote yes really don't care about special education scores.

01-30-2024

Lindsey Johnson []

Students, parents, teachers, and administrators have spoken, but our input is not being heard. Input from thousands is not reflected in the most recent draft of this bill. If passed, our students will not have access to equitable, comprehensive services across the state of Iowa. Students will be negatively impacted and this will create inequities for our children. Please vote "NO" to this bill.

01-30-2024

Heather Applegate []

This bill will catastrophically change education. It will harm students, teachers, parents, schools, along with the AEA staff. This bill does nothing to fix the achievement gap that the Governor noted, based on one data point. This is an unfair attack on education. Please take the time to consult with all the stakeholders and come up with a fair plan for change. There are many, many educated people who would meet with you about this and come up with a better plan than this.

01-30-2024

Kim Knight []

Please consider the longterm effects of this bill. It will hurt the children and families of Iowa and their futures. You have the ability to vote to stop this bill and its ramifications. Please stand up for what is right for your constituents. When people are in need of help we shouldn't cut them off or only give them one source of help. If the AEA's need to be restructured, take time to look at ways to effectively do thatdont just take away huge parts of it thereby limiting the other parts of it. Your children and grandchildren will suffer for this decision if you choose to further this bill. Don't take away one of the best resources that Iowa has! Thank you for your consideration.

01-30-2024

Maureen Mark []

Please vote no on this bill! The governor continues to to state that the AEAs are failing students, yet in the proposed bill and the amendments that I have seen say NOTHING about how a change in oversight and management of money is going to close the achievement gap. My question is how is THIS BILL going to make things better for learners? This bill is NOT the answer to the problem she says exists!

01-30-2024

Meagan Rupp []

Vote NO on the proposed HSB 542 and SSB 3073. The amendment did not change the intent of the original bill. It does not provide direction to improve services for any student. The Governors information is a collection of untrue and misleading statements. Please take more time, collect real/sourced information, ask more questions, and talk to all of the stakeholders groups. I fully support ALL the services that AEA provides trainings, Battle of the Books, FOSS kits, speech. The AEAs provide equitable support for all students in all schools and that this bill is not good for Iowa school.

01-30-2024

Sara Miller []

I am a special education teacher for the Ottumwa Community School District. The subset Special education Student for ESSA is flagged as not making gains like the other subsets. When a special education student makes gains and is proficient like "other" students they are moved out of the special education subset because they no longer need the services. So this is a category or subset that is doomed not to show growth because success of the student isn't being measured.I cringe every time I am in a meeting and administration is letting us know how we are flagged in this area. I want to stand up and list all of the students that I have removed goals from and dismissed totally out of special education. We need to start keeping the correct data. Please don't dismantle the AEA I constantly use their services to help my students become successful.

01-30-2024

Dena Ellington []

Please vote NO on this bill. This bill will dismantle the suppoert system that individual teachers and school dsitricts need by all together removing needed services that the AEA provides or by making many of those supports cost prohibitive to the schools. This bill will eliminiate AEA's ability to provide services to districts like crisis counseling supports when life changing events occur in schools such the shooting at Perry, when students due by suicide, or when students are or when teachers die unexpectedly. This bill eliminiate the AEA's ability to provide SEBH counseling services in the schools to students who desperately needs these services some of whose parents cannot afford the serviecs privately, cannot get into a provider becasue the weight list it too long, and/or doesn't have the means of trasportation to get the child to these services. This bill strips schools of nearly all media support. Teachers will no longer be able to get library resources such as books, online reading material, and educational instructional videos for students through the AEA lending library. These are only a few of the things that this bill removes from our public schools if it goes through.The Governor says this is about student achievement, but this bill does nothing to actually address how to increase student achievement. It only takes away services to help with achievement. Fewer specialist will be avaliable to help train teachers on math and reading instruction. Fewer speciallists to assist schools with student behavior needs so that they can then attend to learning and instruction. Fewer media resources to supply their classrooms with materials needed to quality instruction. Please don't do this to our Iowa Schools. Vote NO.

01-30-2024

Josephine Blazic [Student]

My name is Josephine Blazic from Burlington, Iowa, I am a senior at Burlington Community High School, which is serviced by Great Prairie AEA. I am speaking on behalf of myself as someone who is deaf and am in support of the Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA). The AEAs are a vital part of the education system in more ways than one. They provide services for Iowa students and families who cant access or afford them and also provide support systems and equipment to students to give them an education they deserve. They provided me with the services I needed from a young age to become a successful student who has signed with a college for soccer and received scholarships for both athletics and academics. I have attached my entire letter for legislators to read and share during session meetings. I am opposed to SSB 3073.

Attachment

01-30-2024

Michelle Dickey []

How will this bill close the achievement gap? Let's not remove people from our education system and let's work together to make our system better. Local control is best because locals know our students the best. The DE does not have the capacity to support and serve the vast and unique needs of our rural schools. Please say no to this bill.

01-30-2024

Lisa Tekippe []

As a teacher for 21 years and a parent of a daughter who benefitted from speech assistance in elementary school, I know first hand that removing AEA services from schools will hurt ALL students in the long run. They do so much for our educators and our students. While it might seem okay on paper to cut their services, I assure you if you walk into any school building in this state and talk to the staff, they will tell you how much the AEA is vital to the success of their students. There is no way the DE is going to be equipped in time to fill the gaps that this creates. Save the time and hassle and keep the AEA as it is. Please consider the stakeholders. Please visit some schools and see them in action. Please do not further harm the educators and students in our state. They deserve to have their voices heard and respected.

01-30-2024

Amy Kading []

As a parent of rural public school students, wife of a farmer, and a school psychologist, I am opposed to this bill.This bill will remove local control from our schools as the decision making authority is transferred to the Iowa Department of Education Director. This bill reduces the economy of scale by eliminating operational sharing agreements including mental health services for students. Our students need access to inschool support from school social workers. The AEAs and local schools work collaboratively to provide vital services to our students. The AEAs meet accreditation standards and receive positive feedback from LEAs. Please listen to your constituents, rather than misrepresented data from outofstate sources, and vote no to this bill.

01-30-2024

Seth Denney []

1. How will this bill improve the outcomes of special education students? 2. What are all of the unintended consequences of gutting the local experts that help your school's teachers and students?3. How will this bill improve test scores?4. What happens when a Democrat becomes governor, and they put in a Democratic IDOE director?

01-30-2024

Marcy swalley []

Area Education Agencies (AEAs) are indispensable for students as they provide essential support and resources that enhance the overall educational experience. Through AEAs, students gain access to specialized services such as special education programs, counseling, and technology integration, addressing diverse learning needs. These agencies also contribute to the professional development of educators, ensuring that teachers are equipped with the latest teaching methodologies and strategies. Furthermore, AEAs often facilitate collaborative initiatives and partnerships among schools, fostering an environment of shared knowledge and best practices. By offering a range of educational services and promoting collaboration, AEAs play a pivotal role in creating a more inclusive, dynamic, and enriching educational environment for students across various regions.

01-30-2024

Susan Wetrich []

I am asking you to vote no for this education bill HSB 542 that recommends dismantling the AEA system. Please consider taking time to study and diagnose the issues of concern with special education and the AEA as it is intertwined with so many variables. Study the roles of AEA, LEA, administration, funding, special education laws as they all relate to each other in helping students be educated in the special education and general education world. Dismantling one component of a total system makes no sense. Revamping and redefining roles takes time to understand the roles and how to adjust where needed. Please look at all data for progress of special education students. Do not let the data from the governor skew your thinking. Talk to educators and principals and find out how their students are making gains. Understand the special education process.This bill will not make things better for any district or parent. In southeast Iowa there is a supply and demand issue for related service providers (speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist), a shortage of special education teachers and associates. In the current system, the AEA has managed this supply and demand issue and provided the services to the school districts. If this system gets broken there is no way individual school districts along with the AEAs can hire and provide the necessary services for the students. This will lead to competition and higher prices for hiring as the demand for speech pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists and other special educators can not meet the supply. There will be fewer to serve the needs of the students especially in our huge rural state. The quality of the service for special education students will be less. This is the opposite effect of what we want to happen.Is this the best thing for students? How does this bill help the children in the state of Iowa? How does this bill help the taxpayers in the state of Iowa? I oppose this bill.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Lamm [Educator]

Iowa's children are our future. They are our most precious gift. We cannot put our children at risk by rushing this bill. It is time to vote "no". The people of Iowa are speaking out, listen to what they have to say.

01-30-2024

Angie Green []

How does this bill help kids? Where in this bill does it talk about raising student achievement? If you cant answer that questions, then please vote no and do a comprehensive study to find out more information! Thank you,Angie GreenConcerned parent, grandparent, tax payer, Republican of Wapello County

01-30-2024

Brooke Fischels []

I cannot overstate the value of the AEA to my teaching. Instructional strategies, student supports, classes for relicensure, new technology integration, print and production services, access to grants, cirriculum adoption support, and many other key aspects of my job are impacted by AEA professionals who make sure I'm the best teacher I can be. Quality of instructiona and academic achievement is at grave risk when any deduction in services occurs. I don't think districts ought to be able to opt out of these services. This is how the educational system works together to make our schools a better place.

01-30-2024

Jodie Marlette []

Please do not support this AEA bill! No changes within the bill actually express how it will help Iowas students, ALL students! Evaluate, take the time to learn about the AEAs, come see what is happening day to day in schools and make the RIGHT choice for Iowas children. This bill is NOT the right choice!

01-30-2024

Stacy Behmer []

As an educator for nearly 25 years and a voting Republican, I am opposed to HSB 542/SSB 3073. I urge subcommittee members to listen to their constituents and stop this bill.When I started my career in Iowa, I relied on the expertise of consultants as I was focusing on my students. I relied on boxed books to use in my reading class, so that students would have items at their instructional level. I relied on professional learning to improve my craft. These were just a few things I used frequently and took for granted when I moved out of state to teach because these things didnt exist for every teacher and every student in my new state! I returned home and it had gotten even better. Iowa had evolved and now with technology there were consultants to help utilize those tools with research based instructional practices and digital resources to help support learner variability. And again these were for EVERY student and teacher! I also ask you to learn about the efficiency and effectiveness of the services provided and how they support each other. These services can be nimble and customized for individual district, building, teacher or student needs because the AEAs are local and have relationships with those they serve. Please do the right thing, listen to your constituents and support our learners and educators by keeping our AEAs intact.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Keith []

Please vote NO on this bill. This will hurt Iowa students. How will this bill improve student achievement? I dont see that mentioned anywhere in the bill. Please consider what is best for Iowas students, the future of our great state!

01-30-2024

Laura Glenn []

Where is the system of checks and balances in this bill? Who is going to hold the schools accountable? The DoE will not have the person power to respond and provide the expertise like the AEA currently is able to do so.

01-30-2024

Elizabeth Burdette []

As a SLP currently working in the schools, I am strongly against HSB 542 and urge you to vote NO. Today, as I sat with my core team, and General Education teachers collaborating and problem solving student needs, it dawned on me the implications of this bill. If this bill passes, the supports that ALL students may need to be successful are in jeopardy. This should not be a political issue where one votes with party lines, but with what is the right thing to do for our students. I am especially concerned with how this bill will affect rural school district and the equity of services across Iowa. This bill will create gaps in services for rural community school districts thus impacting not only our Special Education students, but ALL students.

01-30-2024

Amanda Brink []

This bill will dismantle Iowas educational system. All students and educators will be negatively impacted if this bill were to pass. There is not one part of this bill that shows how dismantling the AEA services will increase student achievement. All of Iowa will suffer the educational consequences. Take a year to comprehensively take a look at the AEA system, have all stakeholders at the table, and do whats best for students.

01-30-2024

Amber Reed []

Please vote no for this bill. Instead take time to study the AEA and work as a team with ALL parties at the table. This bill does not bring about local control when everything must be approved by the Department of Education. The decisions that are made this legislative session are ones that will be historical. Dismantling a system to address concerns will take resources and services away from all of our children. Stop, and consider what is at stake. Vote no!

01-30-2024

Katie Hash []

This bill hurts Iowas kids. The detriment to rural schools will be irrevocable. Please ask yourselves, what does this data mean? Does special ed designation mean the same thing in Iowa as other states? (No.) What supports do our schools need at this time?if the governors metric of success is achievement scores, where in the bill does this address how that would improve?Am I listening to the pleas of my constituents?

01-30-2024

Carla Knutsen []

I implore you to slow the momentum and really study the implications that any billthat dismantles the AEA will do to our schools. This bill implodes aninfrastructure designed to provide equitable, effective and efficient services to all of Iowa and asks the DE to recreate it in just a matter of months. Secondly, if a school contracted with a locally based private company, those companies are unvetted and would have no oversight. One of Gov. Reynolds primary faults with the AEA wasthat we lack oversight (which is untrue) but these private companies would havenone. Consider also if these private providers will have access to all the Iowa special education paperwork and databased programs these are located on websites where ALL Iowa kids are listed. In addition, some of these will likely be private contract teleservices, which are often ineffective. Are we going to allow our tax dollars to fly right out of the state to these private companies when it has stayed instate for the last 50 years? As a school psychologist I work with 9 different special education teachers and help problem solve around student needs on a daily basis. My office is a revolving door of teachers coming in for support all week long. I do not think that a small district would be able to continue to fund this through this model. Continuing with this bill is not a win for Iowa kids, their families, or the schools that are the foundation of their communities.

01-30-2024

Cheyanne Ellis []

Please vote no to this bill and put our families and children first. I urge you to slow down, look at the data and input from your consistent and consider how does this bill truly help the children of Iowa?

01-30-2024

Amanda REDHEAD []

I am a public health nurse and I consistently make referrals to the AEA for children under age 5 with developmental needs. If the AEA is gutted, I will have no where to refer these families to get the help that they need.

01-30-2024

Julie Williams []

I am writing in opposition to HSB 542. If we truly care about education, then we know we already have a system in place to serve all students equitably in general ed and special ed, plus give them countless resources that will now go away. Reynolds is using one data source to dismantle a system in a very short timeline. We use multiple sources to determine what is best for kids, and it is a shared responsibility with school districts. We are a support, not responsible for teaching and test scores Our AEAs are accredited so there is oversight. To see education change in such a negative way, giving all control to DesMoines instead of locally, and letting private contracting companies to offer forprofit services is a disgrace. Listen to Iowans and taxpayers, not follow party lines...our kids are worth more than that!

01-30-2024

Carie Masters []

This bill is does not support ALL students, ALL teachers, ALL families and ALL schools. This bill does NOT close the GAP! IOWA NEEDS ALL PARTS OF ITS AEAS. When is IOWA going to put our CHILDREN FIRST?

01-30-2024

Amanda Larkin []

I am against the actions of SSB3073. Please consider the following questions. Where does the bill talk about how student achievement will be improved?What in this bill actually improves anything for students?And where is the local control now that the state department is making all the decisions. Many of the claims that have been made regarding test scores of students with disabilities, and the AEA having no oversight have been proven false. The AEAs are accredited every three years by the department of education.There is no way under this bill for students and schools to continue to have the same amount of and quality level of service no matter the size of the school. Additionally, rural area schools will have far less service. There can be no equity of services without a localized regional system that knows the school district and the students.This is too much change too fast. Please take your time to really consider that this is not the right decision before you dismantle the public education system in our state.

01-30-2024

Amber Earnest []

As a special education and middle school math teacher for 20 years I relied heavily on my AEA staff. As a beginning teacher in a special education classroom with a conditional I would have been lost without AEA support helping me understand how to write a quality IEP, laws regarding special education, teaching strategies for special needs, what to do in unique situations, the list goes on and on. My math consultant provided me with ongoing support as well. From help implementing a new curriculum to professional learning to spending time in my classroom giving guidance and support, ALL of my students benefited from the knowledge and guidance of AEA staff. As the parent of an adopted child with intense behavioral needs, our small, rural school did not have the knowledge or resources to effectively meet his needs. AEA staff stepped in to provide guidance, support, and strategies for him, school staff, and our family. Without these services we would have been forced to send him to a different district away from his siblings and friends. Pushing this bill through in the tone frame proposed by the governor will have unintended consequences for years to come. Voting yes on this bill will have a negative impact on all Iowa students, teachers, and families, especially beginning teachers when there is already a shortage. Please take the time to study what changes need to be made and build up a great system rather than dismantling it.

01-30-2024

Denise Sulhoff []

After reading through all the comments I believe they have all said what I want to say! Passing this bill would be a huge mistake and would not be good for our students and financially very costly to school districts.PLEASE VOTE NO!!Thank you for your time on this matter

01-30-2024

Joe Rich []

The governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, has proposed an overhaul of the state's Area Education Agencies (AEAs). The governor's plan calls for AEAs to focus solely on special education programming rather than the teacher training and other services theyre currently providing to schools.Make no mistake, if you utilize Iowa schools, this will impact you. Moreover, this will disproportionately affect the districts with the lowest tax base (small and rural) and more importantly students with the most significant needs. Let me explain. Aeas money comes from dollars based on a perpupil formula. The AEA then distributes that money through contracted employees to serve districts and student needs within their prospective region on an equitable basis. What does that mean? When small districts cannot afford the services of a fulltime speech pathologist, or itinerant teacher for the hearing impaired (for example) the AEA provides the service splitting one fulltime person among several districts. My AEA currently serves 11 counties. It is no secret that rural school districts already have difficulty with the recruitment of teachers.Moreover, the governor's plan has been criticized for creating topheavy organizations with high administrative expenses. The governor's plan also means that AEAs will no longer provide teacher training and other services to schools, which could hurt students and teachers.In conclusion, the governor's plan to overhaul the state's Area Education Agencies has raised concerns among State Auditor Rob Sand and other critics. The plan could lead to job losses and a reduction in services provided to schools, which could harm students and teachers.

01-30-2024

Cynthia Steflik [Iowa Taxpayer and Parent of child who utilized these services]

I am writing to ask you to please do your due diligence regarding this AEA bill. Do your research properly and talk with the people involved. Consider the harm this bill will do to Iowa children. There is no way this bill is a better solution. Rural areas will be irreparably harmed by this bill. Everyone needs to go back to the drawing table and start from square one. Stop making this a partisan issue! It is far too important. Lets start putting Iowa school children FIRST for a change! Please vote NO to this bill!

01-30-2024

Kristin Lohse []

Senators, I am writing to you regarding proposed legislation affecting Iowa AEAs. Its my understanding this legislation will narrow the AEAs role in supporting a variety of teacher and student programs to solely focus on their special education programs. While I wholeheartedly support programs that serve our special needs students, I have concerns that eliminating the other services provided by the AEA will shortchange the rest of the student population. The services provided by AEA support STEMbased learning opportunities that are valuable for the enrichment of all Iowa students.As an example, last year my daughters 4th grade class at Forest Grove Elementary in Bettendorf, IA created a multimedia presentation and shared it virtually with their parents. From January through May, the students learned about food scarcity through their core curriculum measuring food waste in their cafeteria, making compost bins, reading about the challenges of the Great Depression and more. With the coordination and handson guidance of Mr. Maurer, STEM lead at the Mississippi Bend AEA, the students pulled their observations and conclusions from these lessons into a 25minute group presentation at the end of the year. Their body of work was both impressive and impactful.When I expressed to my daughters teacher how impressed I was with the level of technology and interpersonal skills the kids learned as they created and shared their presentation, she said it would not have been possible without Mr. Maurer. In addition to reinforcing the core math, science, and English curriculum, this project also exposed the students to:An opportunity to speak with a nonprofit leader addressing food issues in Africa, giving the students a humanitarian perspective of this global issue.Planning and handson experience designing and building a compost bin.Teambuilding skills and accountability as the students worked in smaller groups to build their section of the presentation.Using technology to create images, videos, and presentations. As a marketing professional, I recognize these activities as a foundation of valuable skills that students can build on as they progress through their education and into their future careers.Please consider the full implications of limiting the AEAs value to a subset of the student population. Opportunities like the one I described are an influential piece of our students educational experience and an intangible part of what differentiates the Iowa education system from the rest of the nation.

01-30-2024

Melinda Montgomery []

Please STOP and ask yourselves, how does this bill HELP children (it doesn't). Stripping away supports and resources will only hurt Iowa's children, teachers and communities. Instead, work with educators, Superintendents, AEA Chiefs to determine how to effectively support our students instead of dismantling the AEAs. Vote No to this bill!

01-30-2024

Alexandria Cain []

As an educator in the state of Iowa, as well as a mother of two children, I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL. This bill is very detrimental to society. As I work in schools, I already see multiple open positions for teachers, associates, and direct service providers in schools. This bill will not only hurt education in Iowa, it will also hurt THE CHILDREN. My teachers, parents, and children are scared of the detrimental result if this bill is passed. PLEASE do not believe the false rhetoric that is being posted by the governor. If this bill is passed, I will be looking at a separate setting of employment which will result in more school shortages.

01-30-2024

Courtney Whittington []

Please consider how detrimental the passage of this bill could be to the supports and services that are currently in place. The people of Iowa deserve to be involved in this decision making as they are the ones who receive the benefits of the AEA system. The way this has been rolled out has not included input from neutral parties or provided a comprehensive overview of the AEA system. I encourage you to say no to this bill. If I cannot persuade you to say no, please consider slowing the process down and including stakeholders in the decision making.

01-30-2024

Megan Farrell []

Please vote no. Im an Iowan for the past 20 years. My husband and I were proud to move here and raise children in Iowa schools knowing the strong education they would receive. Also, as an AEA SLP and AT Specialist, working with educators and students, please consider of utmost importance the equity in access of services and materials (through media services for those materials like AT, OT/PT equipment among the vast digital and print materials) for large and small school districts was due to the AEA structure. Please take time to consider this bill and the consequences of the chilling losses.

01-30-2024

Gary Steflik [Retired AEA SLP]

Having worked as an SLP for GPAEA for 38 years (I started the year AEAs started up), I am fully aware of how the AEAs work and all of the GOOD they do for ALL Iowa children. Every single child is touched by AEA services, many before they even start kindergarten. AEA media services are essential to Iowa teachers and have saved Iowa tax payers many $$$. AEAs are not a broken system. This bill will do far more harm than good and I urgently ask you to please vote NO on this bill. Any problems can be addressed in other ways this bill is NOT the answer.

01-30-2024

Linda Boshart []

I am writing to express my opposition to this bill. It will have detrimental impacts to the children and families of Iowa. It will be particularly hard on small school districts who will not have sufficient funds to provide special education services to meet the needs in their district. The negative ramifications and unintended consequences will be far reaching. Much of the information presented to support this bill is flawed. Please vote no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Thad Sickels []

This is bad legislation, the reasons are many and have been outlined by educators and school administrators in comments both here and other places. Those edcuational professionals are much more adept at explaining why it is bad legislation than I am. But I can tell you this. I am a long time republican voter and contributor and because of Kim Reynolds and how she submitted this legislation, and then posted for positions at the Department of Education under the presumption that this bill would fast track as the expense of Iowa children's education has soured me completely. She undoubtebly thought she had all the Republicans in the bag. I will not vote for or contribute to any legislator that votes for any part of this legislation or amendment of this legislation and to be honest this has made me question if I will continue to support the Republican party platform. It sure makes me question everything Republicans are doing in the statehouse now.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Ferguson []

I work for AEA and. I know from my 10 years In education it takes a village to provide birth to 21 services. The AEAs are a huge part of that village from day 1. We work collaborative with parents, school districts ect to meet the needs of all involved. If this bill is passed you take away the one place that's been with parents since birth. Iowa is mainly rural districts and they may not have access to providers if it wasn't for AEA. Parents already have to drive to obtain out patient services or only get to see a therapist 1x a month due to lack of private services in their area. Also most private providers aren't aware of special ed rules and regulations and criteria for out patient services are different than in school services. If we pass this bill then we're taking away supports needed for all.

01-30-2024

Teri Hockenson []

Please say a big, NOwhen voting on this bill that totally dismantles the AEA. It is not in the best interest of our students and families in our state that brags about the Iowa Education System to lure people and companies to move to Iowa. Bring all stakeholders to the table to conduct a quality comprehensive review which is what the governor originally proposed. As this bill is written, schools will be hard pressed to be able to afford the services their students need to become the best person they can be and a contributing member of society. Listen to the professions that have been and are a part of the Iowa education system, not professionals that are from another state and have not taken the time to really understand how the AEA works and benefits students and their families in the State of Iowa; which has so many rural communities. Listen to the people and vote, NO!

01-30-2024

Lesa Long []

This bill is going to cause long term negative effects on all students As a veteran educator I'm afraid for the future of our education system. As a grandparent, I'm devastated at the chances this make to our education system. Please do no let this happen. Do your research.

01-30-2024

James Beres []

Proposed changes will weaken services to special needs children. There is no good reason to close local AEA offices, to put staff in Des Moines, where they will be less accessible to students who need them.

01-30-2024

Angie Gansen []

As a parent and 25 year veteran educator, I am dumbfounded at the attack on education this session. But my comments are directed to the AEA bill. Theres nothing in this bill to indicate that a plan, a solid plan is in place to be implemented for the 2425 school year to improve the instruction and ultimate success for Iowas most vulnerable students on individual education plans. The only thing that is evident is is stripping, highly qualified, experienced leadership. All to be shifted to not highly qualified, not experienced, nonexistent department. Removing the foundation of any structure or system will result in an immediate collapse. I implore each, and every one of you to listen and act accordingly to the constituents, who have put their vote, faith, lives, communities, and their children, in your hands. Education agencies are the lifelines for students, parents, teachers administrators, schools, districts, and communities, both private and public. This bill needs to stop and whatever improvements need to be made should be done through those who have devoted their entire life to the growth of all children from birth to 21, in small, medium and large communities. NOT made to spite them. Is this the legacy for Iowa education that will implore young people to enter the profession? For families, to remain in rural, Iowa or to attract to Iowa? For current teachers to have faith that they are valued and worthy when you destroy the very foundation rich in those that came before them? Everyone in the AEA has been beside them through good and bad and connect on a level that no flybynight replacements could ever replicate. Listen to the voices of thousands of those in the fields not the ONE sitting in the office.

01-30-2024

Janet Austin []

VOTE NO on SSB 3073. A NO VOTE is a vote FOR Iowa children with learning disabilities. I am the parent and grandparent of children who used and benefitted from the services that AEA provides. Voting for SSB 3073 will put a big strain on school districts, especially rural districts, to continue to offer these same services. Please consider your vote carefully and VOTE NO on SSB 3073.

Attachment

01-30-2024

Valarie Berge []

Please vote no to this bill as it is written. Should base teacher pay increase yes! Should/could AEA's be restructured and some items eliminated yes. But the bill as it is written will be disastrous for schools and teachers. Teachers and schools use a lot of services that AEAs provide. The cost of doing those same things on their own would be a LOT higher. Schools and teachers can't afford to do them on their own. Please do not push this through. Take time, ask questions, see what can be reduced without dismantling things. Where will these professionals go there are not jobs for many of them. If they don't have a teaching license then they will be seeking jobs out of state. That will be good for neighboring states, but certainly not for Iowa. How about the materials that schools use, where will they go? Will students and teachers still have access to them or will they be sold at a reduced cost. This is not a good thing for the state as it is written now!NO NO NO NO!!!!

01-30-2024

Casey Zimmeht []

This bill is a GROSS disservice to our families, our communities, and MOST of all our KIDS!! The most innocent ones who need help in SO many areas. The service lists of these entities spreads far and wide, much beyond what our governor could even begin to grasp.

01-30-2024

Amber Bridge []

I urge you to vote NO on this bill. I have been an educator in this state for 20 years. Schools, teachers and students need more support, not less support. I urge you before you vote on this bill to go to a classroom in your home district and talk to a teacher for at least 15 mins. Zoom in if you can not leave Des Moines. If you have not done that, you are committing educational malpractice. AEAs provide support that is deep and wide. They are able to connect with schools and teachers in a way that the department of education will never be able to do. AEAs provide tools, physical materials, digital materials and professional learning that allow teachers to do their jobs. Media and technology have been absent from this bill and all versions of this bill. Why? Why would you not want to provide resources to support our classrooms?

01-30-2024

Amanda Wilcox []

Please stop this bill. It hurts students and takes away local control by giving it all to the Department of Ed no matter how you spin it. Please take the time to study this issue with all stakeholders involved rather than make a massive change that will have many unfortunate and unintended consequences for kids and schools.

01-30-2024

Sarah Fink []

As I scan the public comments located here, I fail to find one that is in favor of this bill. Wonder why that is? It doesn't take much to see that there are countless detrimental implications of this bill for the students ALL students of Iowa. I don't see how anyone can tout the idea of "local control" when seemingly all the control will be funneled thru one person in Des Moines. She will never have the relationships w/ teachers & administrators that our local AEA consultants have. Relationships build the foundation of all great working partnerships. I work in a district that will NOT be able to afford the vast selection of media resources that get delivered directly to our doorsteps each week, let alone the online digital resources that are negotiated at a statewide level to provide the lowest cost possible & equity of access for the smallest of smalls to the biggest of bigs. Each digital resource has many accessibility features that will benefit students on IEPS, making information & content accessible to them. Please vote NO on this bill.

01-30-2024

Ashley Bartenhagen []

For the sake of ALL children in the state of Iowa, PLEASE VOTE NO TO THIS BILL! This bill will be detrimental to students, teachers, and school districts as a whole. Please put our children FIRST!

01-30-2024

Amanda Reese []

This is a bill that will negatively impact students in Iowa, and not just special ed students, although they're likely to be impacted the most. But, gen ed students will be impacted as well, particularly in our rural communities. Please, vote no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Jean Coen []

As a mother & also as a form student of Iowa schools, I have for a long time struggled with understanding why lawmakers are determined to undermine a system that had been working for generations at supplying a public education that was looked up to across the country. This further demonstration of wanting to strip opportunity away from the less privileged is a sham. We are not a theocracy. We are a democracy that is simply supposed to function as a system by the people for the people. I strongly encourage my representative for Des Moines County to vote no on the poorly thought out, destructive bill. We need AEA and we deserve Special Education programs. My youngest daughter who suffered from cognitive deficits from complications at birth was truly helped by this system that assured her equal access to an education that taught her at a level she was able to actually learn at. Stop failing our children and stop legislating towards this agenda of dismantling our public school system.

01-30-2024

Holly Lindberg []

This bill will be detrimental to many students, many families and many employees in Iowa. As a homeschooling parent in our district I know that our Homeschool Assistance Program utilizes the AEA for SO many things. I know that we have access ourselves to the wonderful resources provided there. I dont want to lose that for any students, families or employees.

01-30-2024

Flannery Beals []

Please vote NO! I recently read an article from the Iowa Standard that was written by Jon Dunwell (R), whom I respect and admire for his dedication to supporting our children in a way that is not rash or reckless and for his due diligence to his constituents. He posed the following COMMON SENSE questions that I implore you to consider before this bill leaves the subcommittee: "1. We need to begin with the rural in mind. How does this help my rural districts? If larger districts leave an AEA, will it reduce services to the smaller districts?" (Yes.) 2. "What specifically are the positive outcomes/benefits the proposed plan will bring to our students and staff? How will it raise test scores? Will it provide more boots on the ground, better quality of services, or easier access to services?" (There is no evidence to substantiate the proposed legislation will enhance our education system or improve the alleged and inflated educational deficiencies.) 3. "What are the benefits to placing the AEAs directly underneath the Department of Education? Why is this accountability better than the existing accreditation standards? Will the regionality of the AEAs be lost?" (Read the second question twice.) 4. "What are the specific services that will no longer be available from the AEAs? Why shouldnt they be offered by the AEAs?" (I am wondering the same. This bill has been delivered in such way that it suggests school districts will have the autonomy to spend the money the way they want. That could not be farther from the truth; schools can only provide the services that are approved by the DoE. This amended piece alone makes this bill a moot point.) Throughout this process, I know the governor has made several completely untrue statements or at least statements that were made with the intent to deceive. However, there is one thing she said that is true in every respect Iowans are passionate about our kids. This passion has been demonstrated in all of the legislative forums, on social media, and most importantly, in your inbox. I know the governor created this bill as surreptitiously as one could, so we cannot and will not put any blame or responsibility on you in terms of its creation. We can and will, however, put responsibility on you if you support this bill, even though it is undoubtedly the most unpopular bill Iowa has ever seen and it will inevitably lead to inequity we cannot even fathom. In closing, I am hoping you have the courage to do the right thing, I am hoping you ask yourself if this bill will truly support students and their educators and, most of all, I am hoping you do your own research and factcheck what you are being told by the governor instead of taking it at face value, do you remember when this whole bill was predicated on the misleading statement that the AEAs were exclusively designed to support students with disabilities? Please be brave for our students, their families and the educators who beg for support to ensure their success.

01-30-2024

Jean Schilling [Central Springs Community School District]

Please STOP this bill and SLOW IT DOWN.The AEA's provide so much to our rural School District. Not just the media services and Special education support but support to our Career and Tech ed programs with administering the individual federal grants that provide hardware and curriculum to every career and tech ed classroom in our state. Principals across the state work together at their AEA's to coordinate efforts LOCALLY.The dismantling and undermining of the funding and local control in this bill is creating fear and insecurity in every AEA staff member. The discussion of this bill has taken away their autonomy and their job security. So many are looking for jobs already and they will not consider working for the State Department of Education. We are located over 2 hours away from Des Moines. That is NOT local support and NOT local control!

01-30-2024

Kristen Krambeer []

I urge you to please refrain from proceeding forward with SSB 3073 without proper due diligence. As a disability advocate who has seen firsthand the support given to students, caregivers, and school districts from the AEA, I am aware of the vital support they provide to districts across the state beyond the budget numbers you are using to make your decision. I am asking for the subcommittee to consider the following options prior to making a decision: Take one year to compile a thorough review of each AEA and the impact to the stakeholders they serve. Talk with the families who receive the services, school staff, and disability providers. As legislators your priority should be to the people you serve. Individuals diagnosed with a disability are the largest minority group in the state. If you truly want to do what is best for your constituents, beyond the budget, then you should be able to sit down and have conversations before you cut services. If you haven't been in the disability or education field, you can't make sweeping changes without acknowledging that you don't know what you don't know. That would be like a businessman walking onto a farm in January and deciding to sell half the farmland because he didn't see the point of all the land when crops couldn't be grown in the off season. Acknowledge that we can be better, but we didn't get to our current situation without poor decisions along the way. We used to be a state that prided ourselves on education but stopped making education a priority. This has created an environment where we stopped paying teacher and support staff a fair wage and resulted in a mass exodus of qualified educators. Yes, changes are being made, but that doesn't change the ripple effect of previous actions. In addition, we have expected individuals with disabilities to meet education standards without understanding that each student in special education is unique and may not reach unattainable milestones set by a state education system that does not understand them or their needs. This is not the fault of the AEA. That would be like a farmer blaming the seed company for the lack of rain. Sit in an IEP meeting or multiple IEPs. IEPs are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is a federal law providing a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). Each year the student, caregivers, education staff, AEAs, advocates, and any other person chosen by the caregiver to attend, meet to review and update the students IEP. Per federal law, this is a legally binding document and ensures the student has the service and supports needed to be successful in the school system. Those supports come from school staff and AEA staff, who are highly trained to provide disability services. Caregivers, Educators and AEA staff spend countless hours each year working as a team to plan the best course of education support for their student. If you want oversight, you must first understand the process and support needed for our most vulnerable population. I have many additional thoughts on SSB 3073, but the overarching theme would be, should legislators make sweeping changes based on their own feelings, emotions, and budget spreadsheets without having a true understanding of the people, the system, and hard facts to back up their position? Would you cut off a hand because it has a painful wart? Or would you seek medical attention from a trained professional and have the wart removed and keep your hand? Please don't cut off the hand of support to the AEAs till you fully understand the impact it will have on our students, educators, and families across Iowa.

01-30-2024

Shelly Schreck [IKM-Manning School]

No wonder Iowa ranks so low in Education. Our own governor, Senate & House expect funding cuts and services to be provided by an already LOW budget and want to make it less. Mandates that have NO WAY of happening are really Dumbing Down education in Iowa. Go ahead and say it's for the kids. It hurts EVERYONE! VOTE NO!

01-30-2024

Dana McIntire [GPAEA]

As an Illinois resident who CHOOSES to work in your great state of Iowa (and there are a lot of us), we bring jobs, business, and money to your state so please hear us out too. We come to your state because this AEA system far exceeds any other system I have ever worked for. The collaboration, professional development, guidance, support, administration, it is all necessary to make schools run and students succeed. Lets please remember, all students are general education students first, and this bill hurts ALL students. It takes away resources, support, learning, professional development, people who have committed their life to working with students and schools to support childhood development and education. Please do not let this bill go any further without seeking the advice of the ones of us actually in the schools, doing the work, and making an impact on our students. As an SLP, I DO work directly with students and this bill could push me to have go somewhere else. Please stop this bill where it is now.

01-30-2024

Annie Volker [lifelong Iowan; lifelong educator; VOTER]

Question: How will the proposed bill SPECIFICALLY address student achievement (the goal)? What methods and metrics are in place to demonstrate and MEASURE accountability? What evidence exists that indicates the proposed bill is ACHIEVABLE? What information have you received that this proposal is RELEVANT? What is the TIME frame for accomplishing results? "S.M.A.R.T. is a mnemonic acronym, giving criteria to guide in the setting of goals and objectives that are assumed to give better results"Vote NO on this bill until you are able to answer these questions with certainty. Anything short of that, is negligent.S = SpecificM = MeasurableA = AchievableR = RelevantT = Timebound

01-30-2024

Hannah Rumohr []

Please vote no on this bill! Consider the outpouring of opposition to this bill and take the wellbeing of Iowas children into consideration. Those who are unable to use their voice depend on us to advocate for them. This will impact every single student and set Iowa as a whole back significantly.

01-30-2024

Laura Horn []

As a parent, my firstborn used the speech services of the AEA throughout elementary school. Those services were vital to get him caught up with his peers after multiple ear infections and hearing loss led to speech issues in his developmental years. Without the AEA speech services, it would have taken him much longer to catch up (if he ever would have).As an educator, I have used the AEA services more times than I can count or list here. I have always taught in smaller school districts, who will be burdened with the proposed changes to the AEA this bill brings.Ultimately, I'm horrified by how quickly this is being shoved through. We are looking at a loss of countless services that have 50 or more years of data to show how effective and important they are. There are multiple AEAs who serve a wide variety of districts, all with differing needs. Please vote NO. The homework and research hasn't been done with this bill, not to the extent that is ethical. There hasn't been enough time.I know you have been inundated with comments, emails, phone calls, etc. I thank you for listening, and I hope you realize that the sheer volume of correspondence shows just how important AEAs are to this state. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Cindy Lefeber []

Please say NO to this bill! It not only will take away local control, supports, and services from schools, but it will also have a very negative impact on Iowas economy! The children of Iowa deserve the best possible education they can get. This cannot be achieved by taking away or dismantling the AEAs! Please stop this bill say NO!

01-30-2024

Audrey Mensen []

Please listen to the people who elected you to be our voice and VOTE NO. This bill will hurt all students and districts. I urge you to listen to the people doing the work and have an understanding of the ins and outs of the system. Slow this down and take the necessary time to get all of the necessary information before making such a drastic change to a system that works.

01-30-2024

Teresa Meierotto []

This bill will cause more harm to students than it will help. There doesnt appear to be any stakeholder involvement in making the decision for this bill. Iowa used to be known for having an excellent education program and over the years. The education has gone downhill and continues to Have budget cuts which directly affect educational needs.

01-30-2024

Kelly Gravett []

I have worked in public education for over 22 years. I utilize services from the AEA weekly, sometimes daily. The services they provide to teachers and schools are so necessary to make our days successful in the classroom. The services they provide to students and families are invaluable. Every system could use improvements, but dismantling the AEA is not the solution. Voting yes for this bill will be devastating to ALL children in Iowa and our schools, especially in rural Iowa.

01-30-2024

Molly Klocke []

This has received a lot of attention from the media and on social networks.I have many concerns about this bill. One that I would like to express is that being from a non metro part of the state I think it causes concerns.Many of the people that currently work with the AEAs actually live in our smaller communities. I am afraid if the restructuring of the AEA system includes more centralization the resources won't be as responsive to the needs of students.I would be taking good jobs away from all parts of the state and moving them to the cities. I am afraid that if the employees will not want to live and work in the smaller communities. They will just want to do this work remote and the students will not get the education that they deserve. Just one of the many things wrong with the proposed changes

01-30-2024

Angie Radloff []

I cannot oppose this bill any stronger than I do right now. Has anyone taken the time to determine the cost school districts will have to pay for future services currently provided by the AEA and then compared it to what they currently pay for those services? Every school is required to provide free and appropriate education (FAPE) to ALL students; the planned budget for special education services can be completely blown out of the water should a family who has a child with significant needs move in to their district.

01-30-2024

Doug Rumohr []

I have many concerns about this bill, I feel as a parent,tax payer, and long time resident of Iowa this bill will most definitely cause much more harm to our children and community than good! I am all for tightening the belt on wasteful spending but to take away vital services and resources for our children and parents is absolutely ignorant! This makes as much sense as the privatization of the police and fire departments! It will not work! The contract entities will not/ can not be held to the same standards nor will they have the vested interest in the people of the community they serve simply due to the fact that they do not live,work,grocery shop and otherwise conduct there daily business within the community in which they serve! I find it completely irrational that such a proposition is even being considered!!..Sounds to me like there are too many chiefs making decisions and not enough of the rational boots on the ground,the true fighters for children and families being heard. I stand with the A.E.A and what's best for the future generation of both our children and there families here in Iowa!!! As a voter I regretfully feel that I like many of "us" have chosen the wrong person/people to represent "us" and our true beliefs.

01-30-2024

Kristin Stanford []

Please vote no to this bill. The way in which the governor is rushing to push this bill through, without allowing the voices of parents, AEA staff and school staff to be heard and a true analysis done is disturbing. Governor Reynolds has paid an outside agency to suggest gutting the AEA supports and giving all oversight to the Department of Ed. This deal smells bad and will hurt our children.

01-30-2024

Lisa Yoder []

As a bootsontheground service provider for the AEA, I oppose this bill for many reasons. I have already written letters to my local legislators and the Ed committee. Therefore I will keep this brief and simply ask, "Are you listening to the citizens of the state of Iowa when you vote for this bill?"

01-30-2024

Lorna Christensen []

As a parent, grandparent, and retired teacher in both regular and special education, I implore you to vote NO on this bill. The AEAs in Iowa are a necessary support for the education of all Iowa children, whether in public or private schools. While teaching, I used the AEA for additional materials in my regular classroom that were not available in my school. I also was able to take classes through the AEA at a reasonable cost to expand my knowledge in areas that impacted my special education students. If there is a need for improvement in the AEAs, please go about this process through a review of the system with consultation from the professionals that use them, not from an outofstate consultant who knows nothing about our educational system. Please vote NO!

01-30-2024

Jeff Nance [Trinity Lutheran School]

I am writing to strongly encourage you to vote no on the new bill that would eliminate the Area Education Agencies (AEA) in our state. This bill would be detrimental to the state of education. As an educator of over 30 years in public schools (Chariton, South O'Brien, PCM, Central City, Davenport West, Olin, and WACO) and Nonpublic (Dyersville Beckman, and currently at Trinity Lutheran in Cedar Rapids), I cannot possibly count the number of times I have relied on the expert knowledge from the AEA staff. This year alone I have been helped by an AEA Math Consultant, School Improvement Consultant, Social Studies Consultant, and Computer Science Consultant. They have helped with strategies to adopt ad new math curriculum, and given advice on interventions related to general education students. The adoption of adding Computer Science to our standards has been guided by an AEA consultant in what we need to do and how to rewrite our technology plan to meet these new standards. Honestly, I could go on and on of the tremendous impacts the AEA has had on both students and adults. Their impact reaches further than just when students are in school. Their compassion and dedication to the children they serve indescribable to what they do for kids. I have become a better educator and leader due to the training I have received from the AEA. I have used the AEA in all my continuing education classes. I am able to take what I learn at these trainings and implement them into my daily practices as a leader which benefits all students and staff members. I firmly believe Governor Reynolds has brought politics into education on this issue. It appears her main goal is to completely destroy the education system in favor of privatization and radical ideas. She blatantly did not tell the whole picture about the purpose of the AEAs simply so she could press her agenda. The people of Iowa have spoken out against her plan. As a leader and legislator, it is your responsibility to listen to and represent the people based on all the information. This bill is not supported with any substantial data and the people of Iowa have spoken loudly in their disagreement with this piece of legislature. I ask that you please make sure you are fully informed of the impact this bill would have on the education system. The future of Iowa's children is on the line here. The impacts the AEAs have had on students far outweighs any false negative connotations that our governor is spreading throughout the state. While I fully understand leadership means making difficult decisions, those decisions should be made for the greater good of the people. That is why I ask you to be a leader in this situation and say no to this destructive piece of legislation. There appears to be a lack of data to support these drastic changes. Basing these decisions without the input of the people of Iowa is reckless and downright negligent. Sincerely,Yours in Education.

01-30-2024

Grant Gaumer []

I strongly oppose this bill. Both of my girls benefited greatly from the AEA. You can quit attacking public education anytime now. Theres half a million children that rely on public education in our state and were tired of these cuts. We will see more negative impacts in future years because of these cuts. Our school districts will not be able to match the same services the AEA offers because of your property tax relief bill limiting tax levies.

01-30-2024

Kathy Goedeken []

Please vote "No" to HSB 542. I work as a teacher librarian at two elementary schools in Cedar Rapids, and I am a parent of two children who attend public schools in Cedar Rapids. As a teacher librarian and parent, I have used many resources provided by Grant Wood AEA over the past 18 years. I am currently enrolled in an Elementary Computer Science Course taught by the Grant Wood AEA Digital Learning Consultants. I have attended fullday workshops offered by Grant Wood AEA Digital Learning Consultants for teacher librarians. Digital Learning Consultants have visited me at my schools to help me implement computer science and learn about coding robots. Without these opportunities provided by Grant Wood AEA, I would have received very little training or support to learn how to teach the computer science requirements that were passed by Iowa legislatures several years ago for K12 students. Their services are invaluable to my professional growth and the lessons that I am able to teach my students. I have also checked out professional journals and coding robots from Grant Wood AEA. Their online resources are necessary for my students. Without them, my students would not have access to online encyclopedias, ebooks, audiobooks and much more. If these AEA resources are taken away, it will create a huge inequity and disservice to all schools.

01-30-2024

William Pattee []

In addition to undoing a majority of the essential services AEAs provide to schools and all students, one of the most concerning things about this bill is the transfer of decisionmaking authority away from local boards to the Director of the DE. If a school thought it was in the best interest of students to engage with the AEA for Media/Digital Resources or other services, it must obtain approval from the Director of the Department of Ed, which could simply be denied. It also lacks funding for school districts that do choose to engage the AEA for whats left of Media Services (if allowed by the Director). Under this proposal, school districts must reduce their tax ley to account for the removal of Media Services, otherwise the Department of Management will do it. In essence, this is a decrease of funding for public schools. It will force districts to choose between spending remaining dollars on core content, education instructional services or media/digital resources. To be effective, teachers should have access to all three! This is going to widen the resource gap between urban and rural schools, leaving students in smaller school districts at a disadvantage. This legislation also prohibits the economical sharing of positions between AEAs and school districts and would terminate existing agreements (for positions like such as social workers, school business officials, teacher librarians and technology staff). Again, this is going to leave small, medium and rural school districts, who already struggle to fill positions at a distinct disadvantage. This bill should not be allowed to advance any further.

01-30-2024

Annette Clarahan []

Please do what's right for kids and don't pass this bill. This is not about Republicans or Decomcrats, it's about what's best for OUR kids. If it's truly about reading scores then where in this bill does it mention a plan for bringing those scores up?Please take your time and look at where AEA's can make changes and not this drastic change for our rural districts. They won't survive. Who's going to pay for the lawsuits that start rolling in when Rural districts can't provide FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) to students? Mid year the budget could be looking good for a small district. A young preschool student moves in who is blind. He will need a Teacer for the Vision Impaired, supplies, Braille books, assistive technology, and a para to assist him and keep him safe. This one student just put the district over budget. Meanwhile you have other students who are required by law because they have an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) who aren't getting the services and supports they need because they can't find a provider. District is no longer providing FAPE for this student and parents fie. You don't have to choose reelection over kids. All of your constituents are telling you to do the right thing. Choose OUR KIDS, OUR FUTURE and you be be reelected. As I said above this not a Republican or a Democratic issue, it's our kids!Thank you for your time.Annette Clarahan

01-30-2024

Annette Clarahan []

01-30-2024

Abby Lynn []

I urge you to pause on SSB 3073 and seek a true in state comprehensive review of AEA and DE structure. Moving forward with this bill as written will be detrimental to our students and schools in Iowa. Pleas ask yourself, how this bill will help students before moving forward with your vote.

01-30-2024

Nancy Hoelzen []

I was a special education teacher for 38 years. I relied on AEA services to evaluate my students, to help plan and execute IEPs, to support me, to provide speech and other services to students and to provide professional development. Please do not eliminate these vital services.

01-30-2024

Julie Reed []

I urge you to vote no. I am an iowa teacher of 32 years, and dismantling Iowas AEA!s will be detrimental for Iowa students, teachers, families and schools. The AEA provides services for students that will be hard to replace. The AEA model provides services in a streamlined fashion, dismantling this will cause districts to piecemeal critical services and potentially not find the services that are necessary. It will disrupt the education system and not in a good way. This bill is moving too fast without enough research on how this will truly benefit students, teachers and families. This bill should not move out of subcommittee. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Emily Borrison []

Our kids and their education are too precious to make these decisions hastily. Please slow down this drastic process. Vote no and work together with all stakeholders to make the right changes for our kids, school, and the State of Iowa. It is the right thing to do!

01-30-2024

David Michael []

The AEAs within Iowa provide many beneficial services to Iowa students and the community. Instead of listening to outside organizations, the legislature and Governor should listen to the subject matter experts in schools and other education experts to determine how best to help Iowa students. Instead of reducing funding for AEAs and schools in general the Governor and legislature should make up the difference in funding schools have lost over the past 7 years with funding not keeping up with inflation.

01-30-2024

Jocelyn Riggert [Cherokee Community School Board]

I am incredibly alarmed at the speed with which this bill is advancing. Any bill with such farreaching consequences deserves enough time for a thorough evaluation that includes facts driven by data, as well as input from a broad spectrum of leaders in education, and those directly affected by such a bill. Every education leader I have heard from has expressed grave concerns about this bill.Following are a few specific concerns for our district in rural Northwest Iowa. Navigating the added district responsibilities and proposed deadlines is entirely unrealistic. The ability for schools, particularly rural school districts like mine, to find and contract with specialists such as those the AEA provides would be nearly impossible. Additional resources provided by the AEA give our students access to an array of materials that would be cost prohibitive for our school to acquire on its own.When our district has a need, we are able to connect with the AEA the same day. Within the week, they are onsite providing the resources our students need. When we attempt to connect with the Department of Education, we are lucky if we hear back within the week. Seeking resolution takes weeks, if not months. The thought of moving the AEA into that same framework is frankly tragic, as the result will be hurting students.I urge you to please bring these concerns into the conversation for SSB 3073 and ultimately to vote NO on its passage.

01-30-2024

Jason Shoop [Parent]

I am writing to oppose this bill. I am a parent of two children that have benefited and grown from services provided by AEA. To lose it would be a devastating blow to the education system in Iowa. The comments below I have read through and though I do not understand a lot of the research they have discussed; I do understand their care and concern for my kids and others like them that need AEA. Everything looks good on paper until you see who it really affects. Has Governer Reynolds met these children and their teachers before writing this bill? I do not believe so. This bill will have life long impacts on Children and how they will function as adults. The Legislative branch will vote yes or no on this and move along to the next bill as they always do. After that they will not feel any of the affects and the Schools, parents, and kids will feel it for years to come. My daughter when learning of this was upset she would lose her Speech teacher because she has played a large role in her growth and her Confidence as a person. Loosing AEA would affect that. My Son had AEA monitor him and advocate for him in ways that schools can not. AEA had the time and the resources to help him where the schools would fail him because of lack of time, Resources, and staff to assist him in ways he needed. This bill has been misrepresented from the very beginning and why has it been rushed through the system? That seems odd and begs the question what is being hidden from us or will it benefit just the Governor for a future endeavor? I don't know I really do not get it at all, Governer Reynolds has been against students, education and families right from the get go. She continues to make the education system harder to navigate and really hurts under privileged students and their families. She wants to brag about Education while delivering it continual blows. But as you can tell we are not blind. There is an unannounced benefit that is in play here I believe anyway. But that aside take the time in the next couple of days to get your hands in it and meet these kids and their families, see who you are voting for and then slow it down or kill it. This is horrible legislation that will have long lasting affects on children and their ability to succeed. Governor Reynolds and the law makers have already succeeded and this is just an idea to save money. In the long run it will cost you more in welfare aid and unemployment. Iowa will end up being a nonessential part of the economy because a lot of our children will not be ready to handle a competitive market. I realize that is long range, but this is a long range bill. The Governor is treating this as "lets just get it through in a hurry and everything will wash out in the end because they can deal with it and look at all our money saved now." She is reckless in Education. Your districts need you to stand against this bill. You can see the voices yelling opposition to this. Do not play a part in crippling your own kids in your own districts. She had a horrible idea with this bill. She can attach as much statics and research she wants to it. But the research is not Iowa kids and Families, teachers and aids, and Iowa taxes that I am sure will have to be raised for districts to make up some of the loss they will experience with this bill. Advocate for your kids in your districts by voting No. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Kellie Martin []

As a recently retired AEA speechlanguage pathologist (38 years), I see absolutely no educational value to this bill. If improving educational skills for Iowas special education students is goal, then strategically work on that goal rather than dismantling statewide services for all students, instructors, & families. Please do not support this bill. Iowans deserve to be represented & heard. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Ann Meiners []

Vote NO to HSB 542 and listen to the many Iowans who oppose gutting AEAs. Teachers' salary increases should be a separate bill. Iowa AEAs are essential to the overall successful student experience and the best way to provide quality professional help (counselors, occupational therapy, speech therapy, social workers, extended learning, etc.) is to share the resources in school districts through the AEAs. It is also important that these services are available in earlyaccess (BEFORE getting to school) and this bill would cut that completely. Listen to Iowans VOTE NO.

01-30-2024

Keely Ruby []

This bill does not address the needs of all students. It does not address the education of ANY child. Books, audio books, ebooks,science kits, STEM&VR kits, Science supply kits, Math Kits, History & Culture kits, Literacy kits, Story Apron kits, Family and Consumer Science kits, Music kits, Geography kits, Professional books,Book of the Month Reading Level and Interest Level section, boxed book sets,Professional Curriculum kits, Iowa History kits, Print shop services, Technology services, Assistive Technology kits, OT/PT Equipment, and Van/Mail Delivery will all be GONE!!!

01-30-2024

Angie Ettleman []

Rural Iowa schools and the Board of Education are ill equipped to advocate for our most vulnerable children. Continued attacks on rural healthcare and education are getting wearisome. We trust that our legislators will make good decisions that benefit Iowans but this attack will only serve to hinder access to education for our very special children. Please vote against this attack.

01-30-2024

Patricia Fondren []

As a Special Education Teacher I ask that you vote, "NO" on this. They provide so much to the education system. Without all they do the quality of our services would go way down. Iowa would be going backward instead of forward.

01-30-2024

Angie Maher []

I am writing to express my opposition to this bill as written. I urge you to take the necessary time needed to conduct a thoughtful and comprehensive review and examine how this legislation will actually help students. I am asking you to vote no to this bill.

01-30-2024

Savannah Nelson []

Please vote no on HSB 542 and SSB 3073. The amendment did not change the intent of the original bill. It does not provide direction to improve services for any student. Take more time before making a decision by asking or talking to all stakeholders groups and ask more questions!

01-30-2024

Stephanie Geraghty [AHSTW School District]

VOTE NO. I am a substitute teacher and the Mother of a student who has used these services in the past. He needed their help and we were so grateful. I do not see a benefit in the changes you are making; actually I see nothing but negative outcomes. Please do not destroy a system that has worked for a long time. Please do not give power to the wrong authorities. I'm disappointed this is even under review. DO BETTER for our kids and teachers and listen to your voters. Vote NO. You're going to degrade our education system, something Iowans have always been proud of. Thank you for your time.

01-30-2024

Nancy Veldhuizen [NA]

I am strongly opposed to SSB 3073. Hurriedly dismantling an organization that has been a staple in Iowa and that has supported Iowa students, families, and schools for 50 years does not make any sense. As stated on the DE website, As intermediate agencies, AEAs offer the kinds of services that can be most efficiently and economically provided on a regional or cooperative basis among school districts. The Iowa system is widely regarded as one of the foremost regional service systems in the country. This does not sound like a system that needs to be gutted. If there are concerns with the AEA, please put together a bipartisan committee who can talk to all stakeholders and review reliable, accurate data in order to make educated recommendations.

01-30-2024

Heather Schuldt []

Listen to the people of Iowa the overwhelming amount of people who have taken action with speaking and writing in support of the AEA. It is infuriating to see that the AEA is solely to blame for special education students achievement. The AEA does not provide instruction we provide support. Take the time to study the AEA and then develop a plan of action use people that are from Iowa to review the AEA! Review and study the DE! Why is the DE director a non teacher? Why cant anyone stay in that position? Local control is best! Do not move the AEA to DE Control. I beg of you vote NO on this bill.

01-30-2024

Donita Christensen []

Please vote no on HSB 542. This bill will cause harm to all children, families, and schools in Iowa. The AEA uses a service model that ensures ALL students and districts have fair and accessible services, whether they are in a city or a small town. It diminishes local voice which is what I thought Iowa stood for as State and gives it to the Department of Education. I ask that you join me in opposing this legislation in its current form. The governor promised a study and evaluation of the AEA system, but HSB 542 removes the possibility for any improvement because it eliminates large segments of the system entirely. This bill needs full public transparency and engagement from parents, students, teachers, administrators, and others who will be directly impacted.

01-30-2024

Gina Iverson []

Your constituents are imploring you to vote against this bill. Iowans have spoken, the support for AEAs and the services they provide is tremendous. Vote for what is ethical and right, and in the best interest of Iowa students, listen to the needs and wants of Iowans, vote AGAINST this bill.

01-30-2024

Jaci Jarmes [Christian, Mom, Educator, Rural Iowan, Voter]

The children and youth of Iowa deserve our very best. They deserve their elected officials to do the right thing for them. This proposed legislation has not been given the time necessary to make such high stakes decisions. As an Iowan, I implore you, take a year (or 2) and do a comprehensive review of ALL of the systems that impact our student's success. Bring the IDE, the AEA, Superintendents, Parents, Teachers, Students, and Legislators together and make decisions based off of multiple data points and perspectives. Our children and youth are worth it.

01-30-2024

Sue Slavens []

As a retired Iowa school district employee from Pleasant Valley, a parent of three grown children who graduated from Pleasant Valley schools and Iowa public universities, and a grandparent of five children, I am very concerned about the proposed changes to AEAs in Iowa, and I oppose the reforms currently proposed in SSB3073/HSB542.I implore you to slow this process down, do a study and collect data about the severe changes in this Bill to AEAs in Iowa.First as a parent, I saw my three children benefit from the Talented and Gifted program at their school supported by the AEA for educators, and they also attended College for Kids summer enrichment programs, again supported by the AEA. My children enjoyed and reaped immense benefits from these programs.Some people dont understand exactly what AEA professionals do to help ALL students achieve. As a retired Secretary in the Guidance Office for 25 years, I saw first hand the positive impact AEA professionals had with, not only our special education students and students with disabilities, but the services also provided for general education students and teachers. School staff, teachers and parents alike relied on AEA professionals expertise to help with the ultimate goal of supporting students achievement, and, therefore, be successful in school.Sadly, we had students pass away while I was at my job. Our local AEA crisis team came to our building right away to help and support all students and staff to deal with this grief. They came for days and helped all in our school through a very difficult time. I cant imagine what we would have done without these caring AEA professionals working locally and being close at hand.I witnessed countless student success stories over my 25 years, from school psychologists working and helping one on one with struggling students and families, social workers making home visits to help families with their students attendance issues, audiologists helping hearing impaired students get the devices they needed in the classroom so the teachers voice went directly into the students hearing device, speech pathologists having individual sessions working hard with students on their speech issues, consultants making sure all paperwork, rules and laws were followed for all special ed students, and all the countless meetings these professionals had with parents, teachers and the school principal to make sure all student issues were being addressed.Part of my job as Guidance Office Secretary, also, was to make sure the special education students files were in a locked fireproof filing cabinet and all procedures were followed according to Department of Education protocol for anyone accessing these files. We had DE teams visit our school every few years to make sure everything I did, all AEA professionals and staff were doing was in compliance with the rules and law.Teachers receive immense educational support from the AEA including instruction and assessment services in math, language arts and reading, digital and audio books to supplement our school library and improving teaching instruction by providing professional development.Administrators at AEAs oversee and do all this with hundreds of employees for schools across Iowa. AEAs provide individual districts a centralized, equitable resource for services that those districts dont have to deal with finding. AEAs currently recruit, hire, employ, evaluate, supervise, payroll, and disperse these positions to schools.The belief that individual school districts across the state of Iowa, especially the many rural districts, can successfully hire or even get access to specialized professionals, including OTs, PTs, SLPs, consultants, audiologists, school psychologists, and social workers is unrealistic. Maybe it looks good on paper for districts to not pay as much into the AEA, but what a burden this would be to hire their own staff, and also, how much it would cost to contract services and get them delivered in a timely manner.I ask you to take time to understand what all the complex services that AEAs provide. Consider carefully what the consequences of this proposed legislation will do to our students and education system in Iowa. Now with mental health issues on the rise, we need AEAs more than ever.It is also my opinion that the Department of Education in Des Moines doesnt have the capacity to be effective in running these services, even with the proposed additional 139 employees as the bill states. A Des Moines centralized services location will decrease the efficiency of AEAs to provide needed services to schools and to conduct oversight.I think this is too big a change, too fast for all concerned. Thank you for reading my thoughts and allowing me input into the proposed changes to AEAs.Sue Slavens

01-30-2024

Jeanelle Stokes [Parent, Grandparent, tax payer]

I am a parent of children who gained immensely from the help of AEA. Our son received early childhood intervention starting at 6 weeks of age. They helped with occupational therapy, speech, walking, all types of learning. They taught him sign language at 18 months, which helped him to comprehend words and also helped with frustration and behaviors. Do you understand what it would be like to not be able to talk and let others know what you need or want??? AEA KNEW HOW TO HELP!! He does now speak and still relies on sign language some.AEA not only helped us, but his teachers. I am not sure we would have made it without the help and guidance from AEA. Our son gained so much, it was invaluable to him and us as parents. We also had another son that received speech through the AEA and we have had grandchildren who have had help through the AEA and we have a grandchild right now that is receiving services. WE HAVE ALWAYS FELT BLESSED TO LIVE IN IOWA as they have a great educational system for ALL CHILDREN!!! Please dont change that!!! Our teachers have so many more pressures and stresses in todays schools. I dont understand why we would take their resources, their help and guidance from them. Our administrators and school board members have so many others jobs, they dont need to now research and seek out where they will find these services. Without funding for these, they cant afford it!!! AEA CUTSWhat is the governors ultimate purpose here? What is her real goal? I dont believe were hearing how this is going to help and what goals shes actually trying to achieve down the road. Lets have some truth!What is she really trying to do? Who is going to monitor all of these different agencies that schools pick to know that theyre doing what they should do. And why and how do you think theyre going to do a better job for our children? The AEA does so much to help advocate for the student, parents, and also for the schools. They help mediate between parents and schools. And when there is a tragedy such as in Perry, they show up and they help our students and teachers to deal with the tragedy that just happened. I dont know that you know everything that the AEA does and maybe Governor Reynolds you should look into all that they do for our schools. And I dont believe the money that you allot them is ever going to be enough to give them what AEA gives them now.Why????Why cut funds for are children? They are, our future!! Where are these funds going?? Is that more important than our children??How can this to a good thing?In the cities, schools may be able to find companies to provide these services..what about our rural communities??? There are not resources to be found. We also need directors in our rural areas to live and know the needs of our students. We do not need all the directors located in Des Moines Iowa where they only understand the big schools.Is cutting taxes more important than our children?I also know they provide help with at risk children. Are we just giving up on them?Please rethink this decision!!! This should not be taken lightly.

01-30-2024

Brandon Stone []

This bill does not have the support from the people of Iowa as evidenced by the amount of people who continue to show up in opposition of the original draft and the current amended draft. This bill is not what Iowans want. Completely changing a system that operates as the state government has told it to operate for 50 years is not the answer. The governor promised a review and instead had an out of state company review state data and compare it to states that do not match Iowas population nor the way Iowa Entitles students. There is a lot to be done with education in this state. None of which is removing services to our public and private schools.

01-30-2024

Steve Hollan []

PLEASE vote NO for the bill that is trying to cut AEA support to our students, teachers and communities.Being in a rural community, schools and parents will be hurt BIG time by this. Services will have to be received in a larger community, thus taking students out of the classroom/school. Then we get into another issue, attendance & truancy because they are absent from school to receive services that are no longer provide by the AEA.So you can see this creates a problem that was never considered when looking to make this decision.Well, I can hear you saying they can get appointments before school or after school... Well that doesn't work that way for all students and families. One a small fraction of appointments are available before school and after school hours.What about the families that live 12 hours away from clinics that can provide them services needed? So look at the impact this is going to have of their education and the amount of school missed.SO now not only is the students missing school, but will be considered truant because of all the days or half days missed because of seeking services that they can no longer get from the AEA. AND the school get "punished" by the state for low attendance rates, because of student(s) having to travel off campus for support no longer provided by the AEA.Many other examples, this is just one of them....Thanks for listening,Steve Hollan

01-30-2024

Amanda Stevenson-Cosgrove []

I stand in opposition to this bill. As someone who has seen first hand the life changing services local AEA offices and staff have provided to the students of Iowa, it sickens me to think that this might be taken away. Local AEAs provide opportunities and support for students to continue their education and become contributing members of Iowas communities. The funds used to provide these services are not a waste or a surplus or a misuse of resources. The funds are necessary to provide vital services for our youth and our communities.

01-30-2024

Jasmine Young []

Please vote no on this bill. As an employee of the AEA and an advocate for students and parents who have to navigate the special education system, AEA services are important for all students. Iowa will not be able to provide a Free and Appropriate Public Education for all students. We will be neglecting the most vulnerable in our state.

01-30-2024

Cathy Bruett []

It seems to me AEA provides centrally located essential serves to all students. Why add levels of bureaucracy to the system? Where are school districts going to find comparable services on their own for same dollars? Please vote no!

01-30-2024

Chelsey Markle []

I would like to express my concern that this proposed legislation threatens the vital role that Iowa's Area Education Agencies (AEAs) have played in our public and private accredited schools. Iowa's AEAs have been instrumental in providing fair, equal, and costeffective services to schools across the state. They offer crucial support in areas such as special education, literacy and math instruction, and media/technology services. By providing these services, Iowa's AEAs enable schools and early childhood educators to access resources that would otherwise be prohibitively expensive or difficult to obtain independently. If the scope of services offered by Iowa's AEAs is limited, it will have a detrimental impact on all students and educators. Furthermore, the passage of this legislation would undermine local control over education and infringe upon the rights of parents.

01-30-2024

Colleen Miller []

I am writing to you in opposition to HSB 542, the AEA bill. This bill will have a destructive influence on our schools, and particularly our special education system. There is nothing in the bill that could not be achieved with the system we already have. This bill is not best for students.

01-30-2024

Dennis Hance []

Please vote no to SSB 3073!As grandfather to a granddaughter that will need the services that the AEAs provide, I implore you to vote no to this bill! She was born with a genetic mutation a couple of years ago and is already receiving assistance from the AEA. Ongoing assistance will be needed throughout her learning years! I dont know why you would deprive her of these services! This bill will add hardships to a little girl that will have a hard time anyway!

01-30-2024

Colleen Miller []

01-30-2024

Claire Pittman []

I ask that you please opposed SSB 3073. The proposed budget cuts (media services), loss of economy of scale, and drastic changes in oversight, will hurt Iowa's students and rural communities. In response to the federal assignment of needs assistance in regards to special education, I provide the following information: These outcomes are a shared responsibility of the AEAs, the school districts and the Iowa Department of Education. To isolate the AEAs as the sole reason as to why the state has been identified, is to miss 2/3 of the key players. Also, the compliance indicators are based on the states timely and accurate statereported data, timely state complaint decisions and timely due process hearing decisions, all of which are managed by the Iowa Department of Education, not AEAs. If any institution needs a review, it should be the Department of Education.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Stanerson [Mount Vernon Community School District]

I am reaching out to you with concern regarding HSB542/SS3073. I understand that the bill is still under revision, but I do have some concerns to share with you and fellow legislators. Our AEAs support school districts across Iowa in more ways than most people realize. I imagine you have received multiple messages the past few weeks from educators, school administrators, AEA employees, and families across Iowa sharing the important work the AEAs do. I appreciate your investment of time in reading my message as well as the many others you have received.I am an educator in Mount Vernon, Iowa and have recently reentered the workforce after choosing to stay home and raise our 3 kids. I spent several years as a substitute teacher in our local school district and have been teaching fulltime for the last 6 years as a teacher librarian.I am especially concerned that the AEAs are being considered for reorganization with little or no input from stakeholders. From the onset this bill has been troubling because it appears to have originated from an outside source unfamiliar with our state AEAs and the services they provide. Even after reassurance from state officials that a thorough review would occur and input from a broad audience of stakeholders would be sought out, I still see critical pieces of the AEA system at risk of being eliminated or restricted by requiring districts to pay for them. A few years ago the state passed requirements for all schools across Iowa to incorporate Computer Science learning into the K12 curriculum. This initiative has been well supported by our state AEAs and as a direct result, Iowa was recently recognized as one of the Top 10 states for Computer Science education. We would not have achieved this level of excellence statewide without the dedication of our AEAs. I have had the opportunity to contribute to the Computer Science efforts in 2 different school districts in the past several years. At both schools our curriculum work was directly supported by Digital Learning Consultants from Grant Wood AEA. The following are examples of how those individuals have provided incredible and critical support:Grant Wood AEA facilitated meetings with teachers and administrators from multiple districts across the region, helping us identify where we were already incorporated computer science standards in student learning and encouraged us to work collaboratively among districts in attendanceGrant Wood AEA led more individualized meetings with our district to help unpack the standards to ensure our CS leaders understood the skills addressed across the curriculum; our consultants further assisted us in documenting where each standard is met across our entire district through a standards audit; they also provided a wealth of curated resources to support our work in this areaGrant Wood AEA digital learning consultants provide our middle school direct support in planning and implementing our Computer Science Week for our students. Our digital learning consultant meets with us in advance to help plan our learning activities, they provide access to a variety of robots and other learning materials, and they meet with us following the week's activities to review and reflect on how we can improve and further build the learning experience.Our AEAs have collaborated with Computer Science education leaders from UNI and across the state to apply for grants and special funding to support the education and certification of teachers in the area of Computer Science. I myself have just applied, along with many other teachers, to participate in this certification through UNI with direct support from our Grant Wood AEA. Who will continue to provide this meaningful support of professional learning if we eliminate our Digital Learning Team?Without this specialized support from our AEA's Digital Learning Team, our district would definitely have to devote more time, energy, and funding to achieve the same level of excellence for our students. These are finite resources and in order to achieve this, we would have to rob other areas of our students' academics. Additionally, smaller districts and those that have smaller operating budgets would be at a severe disadvantage if we were required to pay for these services. This is a matter of equity across the state. All students deserve to have uninhibited access to excellent computer science curriculum and learning, no matter the zip code. Support from our state AEAs helps ensure this for all students across our state.I hope in sharing this information it is evident how the work of AEAs is critical to the daytoday operation and success of our school districts across Iowa. I completely understand the need for oversight and accountability for our government operated institutions, including the AEAs, but I think there's a better way to go about improving these services. I don't believe we should throw away all of the systems of support that our school districts rely on without careful and intentional process improvement and cost/benefit analysis. Additionally, stakeholders from multiple perspectives across the state should be included in these discussions.Thank you for your time and consideration of my message. I appreciate the time, hard work, and energy you dedicate to our state and its citizens.

01-30-2024

Alexander Dresden []

I am a physician in Iowa writing to urge you to vote NO on SSB 3073 and HSF 542, as these bills pose a significant threat to families in rural areas of Iowa and exacerbate the already troubling decline in education quality in Iowa (our ranking in education nationwide has declined steadily over the years, where we once were #1). As a Physician of Johnson County and a lifelong Iowan, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges that rural communities face in accessing quality education resources. These bills, if passed, would only deepen these disparities by implementing policies that fail to address the unique needs of rural schools and families, which are many services already provided by our regional AEAs. Furthermore, this contributes to inefficiency and risks widening the educational gap between urban and rural areas, ultimately harming the future prospects of countless Iowa students.As your constituent, I implore you to stand up for the interests of rural families and vote against these detrimental bills. Let us work together to ensure that every child in Iowa has access to a highquality education system that fosters growth and opportunity for all. Please vote no on SSB 3073 and HSF 542.

01-30-2024

Randy Elwood [Retired law enforcement ]

Where do you believe the help for education will come from. DE is not capable of providing leadership for the entire state educational system. Wake up and do some serious investigation into what the governor is trying to accomplish. Take a deeper look into what the motivation is for this movement. Dont be led like sheep.

01-30-2024

Melissa Stringer []

As a citizen of the state of Iowa. I urge you to vote no on this bill. There are far too many unanswered questions that are detrimental to the future of our children and their education. Get the facts! I ask that you stand up and do what is right for ALL of the state of Iowa not just a single individual or a small group, ALL! Our children rely on you and need you to vote NO!

01-30-2024

Bert Miller [Retired teacher / Librarian 30+ years in Iowa Schools]

I devoted over 30 years of my life to teaching students in a small rural school district in Iowa. The AEA was invaluable. I have taught in two other states, Idaho and Colorado, and I can say without reservation the best thing about teaching in Iowa, versus other states, is the great AEA network in Iowa. The AEA's serve all stakeholders, students, teachers, administrators and parents but I feel the AEA is especially valuable to the smaller rural school districts that usually do not have the funding for, and access to, materials and expertise more readily available in larger metros. Please reconsider plans to cut AEA services that would be a tragedy for the schools and students of Iowa.

01-30-2024

Linda Schreiber []

In 2022, Iowas 517,444 students (representing 16.4% of Iowas total population) enrolled in a total of 1,310 public schools in 328 school districts. While only 1314% of Iowas public school student population is served by special education services (Pew Research), Area Education Agencies serve all students not just those with special needs. Introduced this session, Senate Study Bill 3073, proposes significant changes to the structure and governance of Area Education Agencies. This legislation is so comprehensive that adequate time is needed to review the issues and consequences of such a huge undertaking. Without a Legislative Service Agency review of the costs, the legislature cant know the impact of the governors proposal. Iowas AEAs funding supports special education services but addressing special needs students isnt all they do. The proposed bill would gut other services that AEAs provide to schools, teachers and the communities they serve. Under the proposed bill staff providing media and technology and educational services including math, science and literacy, could be eliminated, which means AEAs cannot offer curriculum assistance, mental health support, services for students learning English as a second language or technology and cybersecurity services. AEAs also offer testing to determine school readiness for young children. Our K12 teachers do not have enough free time outside the classroom to conduct these types of appraisals. The governors proposal gives districts the option to keep funding it is allocated for special education services and use it at a) an AEA or b) at a private company. That does not make sense. In the governors plan, AEAs would terminate employment for all of these specialty support staff and school districts could then hire consultants to assist districts. This shift moves consolidating services under an umbrella agency, to the school district and they would have to determine which consultant is the best to hire. That would require that districts to be responsible for ensuring a private company is following federal law and the Iowa Department of Education would check their work.This fasttracked issue pushes districts to decide by April 30 to certify their annual budget. This may become a bureaucratic blunder because its less efficient and will ultimately be more expensive either for districts or parents. This proposal is a bad move. As a 10year former school board member, I urge you to vote no!

01-30-2024

Shauna Smith [Marshalltown Community School District - Marshalltown, IA]

As a public school district leader, there have been many recent sleepless nights since the mention of this bill. Please remove your political party allegiance and be willing to stand up for what is right for the students of Iowa. Vote this bill down as it will create further discrepancies statewide for students. Put yourself in the shoes of an AEA employee who has dedicated years of their career to specializing in the specific needs of students with disabilities. There are so many incredible educators doing this complex work and our governor has devalued their work, support, and knowledge. This is sad.

01-30-2024

McKenna Thompson []

I oppose SSB 3073, please vote no. As a rural mom, a care provider for children, a sister of an educator (special education), and a daughter of a welltrained, extremely skilled AEA Consultant, I am scared to see what will become of our school systems and ultimately our kids! The invaluable services provided by the AEA cannot be replaced. They bring excellent care, skilled collaboration, and a wealth of knowledge to the Iowa School system. The AEA services are far beyond special education. I am worried for ALL students (and future students). There are shortages and gaps in education already, this will cause more chaos and more burnout. Who is this benefiting? These students are Iowas future, lets support them and reconsider the proposed bill (and its amendment).

01-30-2024

Lynn Sheagren []

The services that the Aea provide in homes are critical for families who do not have transportation. Also, also rural Iowans do not have access to specialist, such as speech, language, pathologist, occupational therapist, or physical therapist for their young children. They also may not have the means to pay for these outpatient services.

01-30-2024

Jaimee Sump []

Vote no! Iowa needs AEAs, they are essential to helping so many students in several ways. This will heavily hurt our rural communities, for our children to be successful we must give them the tools to succeed.

01-30-2024

Kay Michaelson []

I urge the House and the Senate to listen to their constituents and all the citizens of Iowa and vote no on this bill. There is much wisdom in the comments coming in to you and I ask you to lean into these individuals and all the stakeholders of Iowa's AEAs in evaluating and recommending any changes for the future rather than what this bill is offering. Take the time to do the right thing in this process and seek out those who know the workings of the AEA best and listen to what works and doesn't work for them. This bill comes across as a solution to a problem that doesn't exist in the experiences of those who actually work and are serviced by our AEAs. Tax payer money can be better spent by carefully and thoughtfully working hand in hand with Iowa citizens who are invested in these agencies.

01-30-2024

Tammy Shull []

The AEA staff provide very valuable services to school systems and especially students with special needs. I urge you to vote no on this bill. I know many families with special needs kids who do not support this bill. Dont break a system that works well for our kids.

01-30-2024

Carol Witry []

This bill is bad for Iowa students and families and communities. Services provided by AEAs are invaluable for providing quality education, especially to those with any type of disability. This bill would send our education systems in Iowa on a downhill path to privatization and inequity.

01-30-2024

Lilly Jensen []

Iowa's Area Education Agency system is effective, purposeful, truetomission, and essential to Iowa's education system. They provide important services to all students and support all schools, but they are especially important to rural, small schools like those found in Northeast Iowa. My son is currently a firstgrader in the a rural, small school. At age two, he had barely begun speaking and his inability to communicate was affecting his behavior. We were referred by our doctor to the AEA for their "Early Access" services. AEA staff conducted hearing and cognitive tests and determined he qualified for an IEP and needed speech therapy. So, for a year, an AEA speech pathologist came to my house once a weekin the evening in order to accommodate my work scheduleand provided that therapy, including helping me and my husband understand what we could do to help our son. Then, when he started preschool, they went to his preschool twice a week for two and a half years. Early in kindergarten, we met with the speech pathologist and our son's teacher and all collectively decided that therapy was no longer needed. Now, he is a great student and has zero speech or communication issues. The services provided by the AEA played a huge role in that, not only because it supported his communication development at a critical life stage for him, but because the services were provided in a way that made it as easy for us to utilize them as possible: around our schedule and during his school day. I have witnessed and experienced a wide array of other AEA services. The day after the devastating shooting at Perry High School, I received an email from our Superintendent stating that AEA crisis team members were on hand to support any student that needed someone to talk to. My kids have access to new and different books in their classrooms because of the AEA media library. They especially love "Bookflix" on their school iPads, but they don't know that the AEA is the one paying that subscription fee. Our teachers receive professional development from AEA staff that ensures they are uptodate on instructional strategies, content, and effective teaching. When I was a county naturalist, I was trained by the Keystone AEA Science Consultant to operate their $50,000 digital planetarium in Winneshiek County Schools. That same consultant helped me and local teachers better understand the Iowa CORE science standards and how our lessons and programs can achieve them. The AEA system is nothing if not efficient. If it disappears or the services it provides are slashed, schools will have to find replacement services on their own. Every district or school will have to hire their own speech therapists and mental health counselors (if they can find them), pay all the subscription fees (or whichever few they can afford), and will have to coordinate mandated professional development on their own. There will be unnecessary duplication and wasted spending. Because some services aren't needed continuously, districts will waste time, energy, and money shuffling staff and establishing complicated sharing agreements between themselves, rather than utilizing the effective and efficient AEA system. Small, rural districts and schoolspublic and private alikewill be hurt the most. The private companies touted as alternatives AEAs will focus on dense, more profitable urban school districts and rural schools will, once again, be left out to dry with no one to meet their needs or help their students. Please support our AEAs and reject SSB 3073 in its entirety. AEA's make our education system and our students better. Cuts and changes to the AEA will not benefit special education students. It will only hurt all students.

01-30-2024

Kelli Albert []

As a parent, I am truly appalled that the bill has gotten this far. My oldest son is a bright 2nd Grader who excels in his curriculum, but struggles with reading. The educational resources provided to his reading specialists have proven over and over again to be invaluable and we can see it in his testing results. Voting yes to this bill not only eliminates these supports to teachers, but to our children as well. Our schools should not have to fight for these partnerships, nor should they be placed in a position where they must choose how to spend the little money they are given. Redirecting AEA funding to schools will NOT allow our school systems to shop for themselves, it will only limit the amount of support they can receive. This bill is a loselose for schoolage children, current educators, and parents. It's absolutely tragic to know that a state that once was among the highest rated for its education is sinking to the bottom tier and now our political leadership intends to bury it even further. Help our kids get ahead vote NO to HSB 542.

01-30-2024

Shannon Schreiber []

As a teacher for 13 years and a parent of five children, I am deeply saddened and upset by this bill. Ive worked with the AEA as a teacher for professional development and have learned from the specialists who serve the AEA. As a parent, Ive thankfully had access to their services for my own children. This bill isnt good for families, it isnt good for students, and it wont provide the many needed services that we are fortunate to receive through the outstanding AEAs in our state. This bill will not provide the many services needed in rural Iowa areas, nor will it distribute funds equitably. Please vote NO to this bill and show Iowans that you care about students and families!

01-30-2024

Gordie Felger []

I urge you to vote NO on SSB 3073. The impact of this bill has not been studied and the stakeholders (AEA staff, educators, families) have not been consulted. The governor thinks she knows what's best for Iowa children when she has no experience in education administration. The bill does not serve Iowa families, it serves the governor's political goals. Don't burn the house down when a remodel makes more sense. Work with the stakeholders to find out how to fix what we already have.Please vote NO on SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Jill Weigel []

AEAs support all Iowa school districts, buildings, families, and students. The structure and system that we have set up in Iowa is unique and successful. AEAs coown student data along with school districts and the state department. Over the past many years, funding has been cut to AEAs as well as school districts. Despite this, AEAs continue to provide services in a professional and equitable manner. Without AEAs, students will lose. Our most vulnerable students will have teachers trying to support them without AEA professional learning, without AEA coaching around best practices in the classroom, and without AEA materials and technology assistance. If you want to further decimate Iowas school system then move forward with this shortsighted bill. It clearly is not in the best interest of Iowas children. Who does this benefit?

01-30-2024

Kylie Schipper [Ballard Community Schools]

AEAs are crucial to the success of students in Iowa. They dont just support special education, they support all areas of education. Taking away these services from Iowa families is cruel and irresponsible. If revamping the system is necessary, okay. But the plan law makers have suggested would not make anything better and would further burden our public schools and provide less resources for our kids. Governor Reynolds is tanking our public schools and public services and for what?? She says shes for Iowans, but its evident she really doesnt care about our families or our children. Please vote against this bill.

01-30-2024

Paula Ganzeveld []

I am writing to strongly state my disapproval of SSB 3073, specifically the components that address the Area Education Associations across the state. From my extensive experiences as a special education teacher and my vast knowledge in the area of special education, there are a number of challenges in the premise of this bill and justification being provided by the Iowa Department of Education to support this. There is evidence that those involved in this crafting do not understand the procedures that Iowa uses in special education and how our current systems support teachers, parents, and school districts as a whole. I would welcome any legislators interested in hearing my persepctive to reach out to me.Thank you,Paula Ganzeveld, Ph.D.Associate Professor of EducationMount Mercy University

01-30-2024

Tyler Y []

Please oppose this bill in its current form. It will have grave consequences for all students not to mention the local economies. You are eliminating highpaying jobs with this bill. Good luck keeping those folks in their local communities. The brain drain of Iowa will continue and our local communities will suffer.A comprehensive study of the AEAs should happen but it should not be hastily done like this bill. Governor Reynolds should go back to the drawing board on this one, it's a bad bill with bad ideas and will be bad for Iowans.

01-30-2024

Gabriel Wylder []

SSB 3073 is harmful to education for all communities in Iowa. Our AEAs provide valuable resources to our school districts and have assisted the in development of MTSS within individual district and building teams, training of a new IEP system within the state (that is not as user friendly as the legacy system), assisting in the school improvement process (including literacy instruction), ad much more. Consider some additional benefits that our AEAs provide:Our AEAs offer services and resources in an economy of scale so that no school district is without vital services because they cannot afford them or those services are unavailable in their area.AEAs leverage economies of scale and deliver programs more efficiently than individual school districts could alone by providing services regionally. This helps save taxpayer dollars while still providing highquality services.AEAs help ensure equity among Iowa schools so they have access to what they need to succeed.What about bloated administration costs? AEAs follow the Iowa Code, which does not allow them to spend more than 5% of their total expenditures on administrative compensation. The percentage of administrative total spending in all of Iowas nine AEAs for all administrators is lower than the 5% limit.AEAs offer ALL of Iowas schools the ability to access specialists, equipment, and resources, ensuring equity among large and small schools in urban and rural areas.Large school districts may be able to share more resources or have the opportunity to purchase, rent, or contract equipment and agencies. Small school districts, which make up most of the schools in Iowa, will not have these options.AEAs serve as hubs for innovation and collaboration, bringing educators, community partners, and businesses together to develop and implement new initiatives that benefit students.Gutting Iowas AEA services will mean unequal access to stateoftheart learning opportunities for students.Classroom teachers, education support professionals, and administrators must fill in for the services removed from our AEAs specifically in rural areas where contracting out is not an option. That means school employee workloads increase exponentially.I urge you to take action and stand against the dismantling of Iowa's AEAs.

01-30-2024

Mary S []

Please vote "NO" to the bill to dismantle AEA's. It is your job to LISTEN to the people of your district and not strictly to the Governor. She has presented many nonfactual statistics to push her agenda. Please do your own research and find out the truth. AEA's are required to meet high standards ask the AEA's how they have scored in recent evaluations. It does not make sense for each school district to hire and fund many different professionals for the wide variety of student needs. AEA's have these professionals under one umbrella and they work together to help the individual in a Very Timely Manner. Some students need a variety of services and some just individual assistance. And the wait list at the private providers is extensive. Do you know the frustration of needing to see many different medical professionals and trying to get timely appointments with each one? It can be months before all tests and results are in and there is much time wasted before a diagnosis is made and a plan put together to get the needed help. AEA's do it ALL, in a timely manner, and we need to keep them for the benefit of ALL students and teachers.

01-30-2024

Melinda Partlow []

Please vote no on the AEA bill. Since the creation of AEAs, they have existed to provide fair, equal, costeffective services across the state in the areas of special education, education services (such as literacy and math instruction), and media/technology. The AEA provides vital service each and every day to students, parents, and educators. The AEAs support ALL of Iowa students. This bill needs full public transparency and engagement from parents, students, teachers, administrators, and others that will be directly impacted.

01-30-2024

Brenda Hamilton []

The support we received from the Grant Wood AEA wa extremely valuable in assisting us with our sons learning differences. As a special education teacher, I received support/advice in teaching students with behavior disorders. These students are challenging and have unique needs. Having specialists available was extremely helpful.Families would suffer, educators would suffer, but most importantly, students would suffer if these services would disappear. I do hear the rebuttal that special education students will still receive services. But if the funding system changes, services will be different. Im concerned if decision making authority is given to the Department of Education how would they have time to deal issues in a timely manner?This proposal should not move on from the subcommittee.

01-30-2024

T Daniel []

We are generally in agreement with Republican initiatives in the state of Iowa, but Gov Reynolds move to diminish the role of AEAs makes no sense.We are writing in support of the professional women and men of the AEA who work hard to provide a wide array of services to students in every Iowa school.If adjustments to the AEA need to be made, then do so in a collaborative manner. Don't rip the whole thing apart for the sake of doing so.Let's work together to support the AEAs and all they do to help Iowa students, families, and schools be the best they can.

01-30-2024

Peter Reiter []

I strongly oppose this measure. It appears to be change for its own sake and threatens to severely undermine a crucial resource for Iowa schools. I can see no need to cause harm to a wellfunctioning system. Please do not advance this bill. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Brian Dunn []

Im writing to express my opposition to the amended bill (HSB 542). The AEAs are essential for our children and schools, and have been making a difference in children's lives for 50 years. This bill does nothing to address the real issues facing schools or AEAs. It only seeks to privatize support services and move power and control from local governance to state bureaucrats. I has been shown repeatedly that few of the claims made by the Governor hold up when examined in the daylight. AEAs are frequently reviewed and assessed. The data cited has been shown to be unrepresentative of the reality of special ed students. Further, the bill and the administration have not indicated how the proposed changes will improve outcomes. This bill is an unnecessary solution to a problem that doesn't exist. I beg you not to move this bill forward. Please take the time to work with parents, educators, and communities to find solutions that will provide improved outcomes for our children and families.

01-30-2024

Parker Hansen []

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed amendments to the Area Education Agencies (AEA) system as outlined in SSB3073/HSB542. This matter is of utmost importance, not just to me, but to all who value the integrity and effectiveness of our education system, especially in rural areas.The AEAs have been instrumental in ensuring equitable access to essential educational services, particularly in special education. The proposed changes threaten to destabilize this delicate balance, potentially causing irreparable harm to our most vulnerable students. The strength and success of our rural schools, which lean heavily on the support of AEAs, are at stake.I wish to address the notion of AEAs lacking accountability. The reality is that these agencies operate under strict accreditation and auditing processes, ensuring their adherence to high standards of efficiency and responsiveness to district needs. Furthermore, the evolution of AEAs services is a direct response to legislative directives and changing educational requirements, not a deviation from their mission.The current funding structure under the AEAs is a model of efficient resource utilization, especially crucial in the area of special education. Dismantling or significantly altering this framework risks introducing redundancy and inefficiency, leading to reduced service quality. Smaller districts, in particular, may find themselves unable to provide equitable services, disproportionately affecting students with disabilities.Local administration of education programs is critical for responsiveness and effectiveness. The AEAs embody this principle, offering customized services that centralized state governance cannot effectively replicate.As the Subcommittee deliberates on this issue, I urge you to consider the farreaching implications of these proposed changes. The decision should prioritize the educational needs and futures of all students, with an awareness of the unique challenges faced by rural districts.

01-30-2024

Kathryn Skopec []

As a pediatrician, I feel the AEA's are extremely valuable to the kids in our schools and communities.I urge the committee to push PAUSE on this process and gather more information before proceeding. Every week I make referrals to the Early Access program for babies and toddlers to help with their language and motor development. If left to the private sector only, many will fall thru the cracks and not get the services they need.

01-30-2024

Diane Redmond [Concerned citizen]

I have a strong belief that what legislation has been doing to education in the last few years is not in the best interest of the students in our state. Last year was the worst when it voted to subsidize private schools on the back of public schools without much oversight or controls and now this with AEAs.Rural schools especially will be negatively impacted without ALL that its AEAs provide them. I worked as a high school English teacher for 25 years before retiring in a rural school district. The help provided by our AEA was immeasurable. They provided me with freshideasand intriguing curriculum that was beneficial for my special education students but also my honor students and otherclasses.Beyond my English classes, I wouldoccasionally have ELL students in study hall. One specific student I had could barely speak, let alone read, English. While I was an English teacher, I was not a reading specialist. As I said, this was a student I had in my study hall, notone of my English classes. Our guidance counselor and ELL teacher asked if I could work with this young man duringstudy hall. I went to the AEAfor some guidance, and they not only provided me a way to determine where hisskill level was but also how to help him build on the few skills he had. I had him for four months in my classroom, and by the end of my time with him, he had gone from a first grade reading level to sixth. That would not have happened without the assistance and guidance from the AEA. That student was so thankful and appreciative that when he finished in my classroom, he wrote me a thank you note in English. It was the most heartfelt note of appreciation I had ever received. I kept it, and it brought me to tears because that's why teachers go into the profession...to help kids thrive and grow. This is just one story of many over my 25 years in the classroom.Some of my lessons in the classroom stemmed from my AEA providing professional development that centered around curriculums with lots of new and fresh ideas. If there wasn't something I understood, I knew I could go to my specific specialist within the AEA to help me as a professional in my field of expertise to improve and make me a better educator. This in return couldprovide me with current and innovative lessons in the classroom that would incorporate not just readings but also speaking, listening, and writing skills to utilize.From another perspective other than a teacher, the AEA assisted my son and daughterinlaw when my grandson was only a baby...12 months of age until he was 2. We were extremely concerned because we thought he quite possibly could be deaf or at the least had severe hearing loss. It was through the AEA where we were able to take him and have tests run periodically to know if he was ok or what we would need to do if we discovered he was deaf or had a significant hearing loss. The AEA where my son lives, put all our minds at ease as they worked with my grandson.The AEAs, their wealth of knowledge, and all the different services they provide are invaluable! We cannot and should not change that or take that away from those who utilize and benefit from them each and every day.Legislators absolutely need to listen to what Iowans are telling them and make it their top priority to get this right because right now they're not listening and haven't been for a while now.Thank you.Diane RedmondWatkins, Iowa

01-30-2024

Sara McBride []

Please vote NO to this bill!!! As a special education teacher, I see firsthand how the AEA helps me and my students. They provide so many different opportunities that I am unable to bring into the classroom to support my students' learning. I have asked Gov. Reynolds to visit my classroom so she can see what a day would look like in our learning environment. This offer still stands because I believe it is difficult for lawmakers to understand the ins and outs of the classroom when they are not in the trenches.

01-30-2024

Tonia Sandersfeld-Miller []

The AEAs as they are currently set up are such a great value to school districts. Each school district is not going to use every resource the AEA provides every day, so having these services available in districts allows all schools access to equal resources when they are needed, and NOT just special education services! As a teacher librarian, the AEA provides digital and print resources and a variety of digital databases that our district would not be able to purchase on our own. We only do a few units each year where we need sets of books for literature circles or databases for research projects, so it would not be $$ wise for us to purchase all these resources ourselves for just our use. But by using the AEA, we can use what we need when we need it, and share these resources with other schools in our area! Iowa's AEA system is one to be proud of, not dismantle.

01-30-2024

Lori Ee []

As a mom with two special needs kids this bill just scares me. I've been around the block and have done pt in private setting and with the hospital. They are doing their best but AEA is years above them. The PT clinics that I went to had waiting list.. 6 months to a year. This also doesn't work for working parents. They aren't able to take off of work to get their kid to services every week. The workers in the clients that I go to can't even coordinate pt, ot, and speech in the same day because they are so busy. No way they could come to the school. I'm rural Iowa and this would be a very bad change for our family. Thank you for your time.

01-30-2024

Josie Woosley []

I would like to make my voice heard to express that I am not in support of the amended bill. The AEA is essential for our children and schools. This bill does nothing to address the real issues facing schools. It only seeks to privatize support services and move power and control from local governance to state bureaucrats. Few of the Governors claims hold up scrutiny. This bill is an unnecessary solution to a problem that doesnt exist. AEAs are frequently reviewed and assessed. The data cited has been shown to be unrepresentative of the reality of special ed students. Further, the bill and the administration have not indicated how the proposed changes will improve outcomes. Please do not move this bill forward. Take the time to work with parents, educators, and communities to find solutions that will provide improved outcomes for our children and families.

01-30-2024

Lori Ee []

01-30-2024

Bailee Burks []

01-30-2024

Jayne Wilson []

As a person who has worked with children and families in rural southwest Iowa as a DHS Social Worker and a Juvenile Court Officer for over 35 years, I have huge concerns about the impact of this bill on our children and families. Our rural communities have very limited services and resources as it is. The AEA helps to fill these service gaps with knowledgeable, professional and dedicated individuals who live in our rural communities. Listen to the stories that these families and those who are employed by the AEA have to tell. The services provided by the AEA are all encompassing and have a huge impact on the children and families in our rural communities.

01-30-2024

Nonalee Gardner []

I am writing to express my strong opposition to HSB 542/SSB 3073. I am a former educational audiologist who worked for Grant Wood Area Education Agency for 22 years. In addition, I am a lifelong Iowan and a parent of two children, one of whom received special education services from the AEA. The AEA team and local school district developed an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) to assist my son (on the autism spectrum) develop problemsolving and executive functioning skills to succeed in school. It was during his spring semester of 10th grade that the COVID pandemic started, which disrupted the education for all Iowans for at least the 20192020 and 20202021 school years. Despite the educational disruption from the pandemic, my son graduated high school in May of 2022 with a GPA of 3.97. I credit his success, in part, to the roles that both his school team and the AEA played.In my role as an educational audiologist, I have seen firsthand the positive impact of hearing screening for all ages of children (receiving general education and/or special education services.) In addition, I also worked collaboratively with multidisciplinary IEP teams for students with special needs, which often included teachers of the deaf/hard of hearing, signlanguage interpreters, teachers of the visually impaired, orientation and mobility specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, school psychologists, school social workers, special education consultants, speech language pathologists, paraeducator support and FEP/PEP (family and parent educational partner) staff. As seen from the list of possible IEP participants referenced, sometimes it takes a large group of people to determine all the needs and individualized goals for a child with a disability. Our goal when working with children in need of an IEP, is to look at their needs and develop goals to help them catch up with their peers, so they can be exited from an IEP. The metrics that the governor has used to support her proposal was obtained from a very small percentage of students that are on an IEP. The way these scores were manipulated to fit her mission was incorrect as it doesnt consider the scores of ALL the children on an IEP as well as the students who have been successfully exited from an IEP because the gap between their deficits and their peers was closed.The AEA system was founded on the principle of providing equitable services for all the school districts, rural and urban, not just the larger school districts. If this legislation to restructure the AEAs passes, thousands of children and the ability of their school districts to provide optimal educational instruction and services to those children will suffer. Iowans do not want the services of the AEAs to change! The AEAs are not broken. We do not want the oversight of the AEAs to shift to individuals without the educational background and knowledge to be qualified in the position of Director of Education for the state of Iowa. Please take a moment to discard this legislation and take the time to complete a comprehensive review of the AEA system, speak with the people of Iowa, and the AEAs to determine if any beneficial adjustments need to be made for improvements.

01-30-2024

Jackie Krogh [Retired teacher]

As a retired teacher who also worked full time for the AEAs and taught summer classes for practicing teachers for licensure, I fully support keeping the AEAs. They are a vital organization that provides great support for our students and teachers in Iowa. Please continue our states support of the AEAs.

01-30-2024

Jawnica Kettler []

There is not one teacher or administrator that I've talked to in my district who approves of this bill or the Governor's route in doing this. We know it was written in Virginia and a lot of the taxpayers' money way spent on it. She did not attempt to consult teachers, parents, superintendents, AEA's etc. when writing this. It is another attempt to privatize education services and will only hurt our children, not help as she says she likes to say/think she's doing. Who are the "education experts" she's consulting when making these decisions without input from Iowa teachers and administrators? Do these people she's consulting with have any teaching experience? Furthermore, we've heard about beginning teacher pay increases which is great! But what about educators, like myself, who have been teaching for nearly 20 years and are just now making $60,000 with a masters degree? On top of that, many of us have taken on additional student loans because we went back to get a masters degree. We don't have a very large pool of applicants for open positions any longer, and will likely continue to decline as the supports needed for educators and students continue to be decreased. What will be provided (funded) to support the mental health needs we have in our schools? Is there additional funding for this or will we see less?

01-30-2024

Amanda Nelson []

I DO NOT support this bill. As a registered republican who votes conservative, a licensed minister who works specifically with at risk youth within our small rural communities, someone who has worked in schools, as a parent and as a VOTER, I find this bill to be detrimental for the good of our kids, our communities and the future of our state on a whole. In addition, I am concerned about the fact that we are a representative democracy and sadly the desire of the constituents seems to be overridden by an agenda. Please look beyond party lines and the expectation of the governor and listen to the voices of those who had enough faith to put you in office and represent them the way we deserve to be represented. Vote no to this bill for our kids, schools, communities and the good of our state as a whole. The decisions made on this bill will make me reconsider who I vote for, regardless of party affiliation.

01-30-2024

Thomas O'Donnell []

I live in southeast Iowas Van Buren County, population 7,250. Theres now a single school district serving most of the county after declining populations forced mergers, the last one about five years ago. Its just such districts that most depend on the local area education agency for services such as media (the district tapped the AEA to help it through the latest book removal laws), special education and mental health. Having these as close as a phone call lets our superintendent focus on other matters, rather than vetting and contracting with the few, if any, vendors that provide these services in the vicinity. The proposed changes to AEA structure would impose unnecessary bureaucratic steps, requiring local districts to get state approval for most services. It takes local control away from elected AEA and school district boards. It also takes funds from the local districts for necessary services like media. If you believe AEAs arent adequately meeting their special education mission, then the state can work with them to improve. If you believe administrators are paid too much, address that issue without essentially dismantling the system. These changes, like many the legislature has approved over the last few years, will harm rural districts such as Van Buren County Community Schools far more than urban ones. I urge you to take a thoughtful, deliberate approach to this bill and consider its local impact.

01-30-2024

Laura Hagen []

As a parent who has a child who requires additional support, I couldn't imagine not having AEA! They have been there since I found out my child was deaf and provided me endless amounts of knowledge and aid. Please continue to support AEA and all they do for families!!!

01-30-2024

Callie Thomas []

The Green Hills AEA was the first to help us after our son showed signs of autism and a global developmental delay at his 18month appointment. Every other agency in the area had 8+ months OR year+ long waitlists. They guided me through what I needed to do as a parent who had no idea what to do when your child has a disability. Studies and research shows how absolutely important early intervention is for children with a disability and/or delay. They stepped up with ideas and therapies for him while we waited and waited for any spots to open. We didnt have to waste precious time. Without them I would have had no idea where to turn or what to do for my son while we waited 8+ months to get him into therapy and get him his official diagnosis. Theyre encouraging and very knowledgeable. Funding should be increased for these services not decreased.

01-30-2024

Peggy Wheatley []

There are so many things wrong with this bill. What problem is making all of these changes trying to solve? I have been in education over 40 years and have seen the powerful impact AEA services have on students. Please slow down and make thoughtful decisions that actually improve educational opportunities in our state.

01-30-2024

Mary McGee Light []

Please vote NO on this bill. Children, parents, teachers need the vital services that are provided by the AEAs. Do not eliminate any of the services, or any of the AEAs, or turn any of the services over to private entities. Preople in the rural areas, especially count on these services regarding special education, media services, consultations for teachers, support for schools, and the other services they offer. These services are equally important in more urban areas, and affect the lives of many of the people in the state. AEAs are too important !

01-30-2024

Lesley Stucker []

I am a retired Physical Therapist and dedicated 22years of service to Heartland AEA. I saw firsthand the difference we made being in homes and schools immediately when concerns arose such as how do we transfer Johnny to the bathroom. Since I am retired I am NOT trying to save my job which has been stated by some legislators. I am asking all of you to vote NO! Please set up a task force with all affected parties at the table and dig deeper into the data, possible causes, possible solutions, and please VISIT schools and homes to watch the teamwork and collaboration that occurs between school personnel, parents and AEA. To push this bill through on the advice of an out of state agency without due diligence is a tragedy. I trust all of you want what is best for OUR children. Thankyou for doing the right thing.

01-30-2024

Linda Martin []

Our AEAs have been an example of efficiency and effectiveness for 50 years when serving multiple rural schools in Iowa. As a retired teacher, I benefitted from the AEA personally, and my children and grandchildren have benefitted as well. Our communities are only as strong as our schools. The AEA system has insured the smaller districts in our state are given the help to keep them up to date with curriculum and services which would otherwise be far too expensive.DONT tie the teacher salary upgrade to this bill. If you were serious about raising salaries, you would put it out there by itself rather than tying it to something controversial like this SSB 3073.We need our AEAs to continue to serve the schools of Iowa if we wish to stay in the top tier of education states. If we let education in the state of Iowa go downhill what will we have to entice young people to want to raise their families here? The vouchers already put us in a vulnerable position. This bill would push us further in the downhill direction.Stand up to the governor and serve the people of this state not her.And whats wrong with paying taxes? Taxes are what we pay to live in a civilized society. Thats what I want a civilized society.Thank you.

01-30-2024

Aaron Williamson []

As a current school board member and parent of elementary children in a rural Iowan school district, I adamantly oppose SSB 3073. I see first hand how much AEAs help students, teachers, and families in our district. They provide so much more than special education support. Our district struggles to make ends meet with the laughable 2.5% SSA and now you want us to pay for these services at a privatized rate, all while not having access to AEA leadership because they will all be in Des Moines doing the work of the DOE before getting laid off. As the supposed party of "small government" and acting like you support giving control to the lowest local factor possible, you sure are being hypocritical by taking power away from local boards and giving entire power to the director of the DOE, who happens to be a transplant from Virginia, here doing Betsy Devoss' dirty work for private charter school profiteering. Do better for our students. Do better for Iowans. This is despicable.

01-30-2024

Bonnie Boothroy []

Please DO NOT pass SSB 3073 out of subcommittee. I have attended two open forums in my community regarding this bill, and speakers are overwhelmingly opposed. A system as comprehensive as this requires more extensive input and deliberation before drastic changes are made. There is no urgency. The AEA regional service delivery model is focused on SUPPORT and SERVICE to students and schools. The role of the Department of Education is REGULATORY. This is as it should be based on proximity and expertise. If the DE has uncovered any service delivery deficiencies, they can be addressed within the system. Destroying the system is not the answer. By not passing this bill out of subcommittee, you can ensure that this critical component of Iowas education system gets the full consideration it deserves.

01-30-2024

Bernitta Goettsch []

VOTE NO. I have a grandchild who has used these services in the past. He needed their help and we were so grateful. I do not see a benefit in the changes you are making; actually I see nothing but negative outcomes. Please do not destroy a system that has worked for a long time. Please do not give power to the wrong authorities. I'm disappointed this is even under review. DO BETTER for our kids and teachers and listen to your voters. Vote NO. You're going to degrade our education system, something Iowans have always been proud of. Thank you for your time

01-30-2024

Shelley Peters []

Like thousands of your constituents, I am writing to encourage you to vote NO on the proposed education bill HSB 542/SSB 3073. There is no reason to push this proposed bill through without a thorough study. I would urge you to look at additional data other than just the data presented by the governor for special education achievement. The NAEP tests that the governor references uses a random selection of students in the state for a snapshot of progress. The NAEP test was given to approximately 266 SpEd students in the state which is .003% of the total SpEd students in the state. I am sure we can all agree that judging and dismantling an entire system of support because of testing on .003% of a group of students is ridiculous and not a fair sampling of data at all. TEACHER COMPENSATION: While I appreciate the governor recognizing that Iowa educators deserve more compensation, I would ask that you separate this from this bill and not attach it to such a destructive bill. I would further ask you to explore how to reward veteran teachers with the same level of compensation. Again, I urge you to do the right thing for the education system in Iowa and vote NO on HSB 542/SSB 3073 until the full impact of the proposed changes can be studied.

01-30-2024

Pat Berrie []

I oppose Senate study Bill 3073 in any form. The AEA provide invaluable services to all Iowa students and teachers. The relationships established by AEA personnel with the teachers, parents and administrators give confidence, expertise and dependable services to all stakeholders. Reliable data from more than one source over a period of time is necessary to determine what changes, if any, need to be made. Please vote no to this ill conceived bill and amendments.

01-30-2024

Joni Rodgers []

Our state government needs to do the research to examine the impacts this bill will have long term. Educators and families know what current AEA services do for them. Your vote will be remembered in future election cycles. Please dont make a decision unless you have thoroughly listened to stakeholders.

01-30-2024

Matt Burke []

Please vote no on this legislation. All of our children deserve a chance at receiving an Iowa education. Eliminating the AEAs will create educational gaps throughout the State and there will be children who do not receive the educational services they need for life especially at the elementary school level. Government service costs should always be reviewed but this legislation seems to go to far in trying to save on taxes.

01-30-2024

Mollie Zimmerman Burke []

Please do not support this bill. Iowa students deserve access to the services and resources the AEAs provide. Passing this disadvantages all Iowa students and teachers, but is especially harmful to students with different learning needs, including disabilities covered by the ADA.

01-30-2024

Robert J []

Vote NO! Be the voice for Iowans! This will harm education across Iowa. My children have benefited from AEA services and the AEA has been vital in helping my children thrive! Speak for the people not just one!!

01-30-2024

Paul Gilbert []

Dear Subcommittee,I'm writing as I'm very concerned about Senate Study Bill 3073. From all that I've heard and read about it, it will weaken our state's education system tremendously. I fail to see the rationale for pursuing such widesweeping changes that have high risk of negative effects. I do not want SSB 3073 to advance.Thank you for your attention to the people of Iowa,Paul Gilbert

01-30-2024

Brenna Ripp []

Please vote no on SSB3073. Iowa has an outstanding schools and educators which rely on all of the supports and services of the AEA. Any changes to the AEA will have a damaging effect now and for future generations.

01-30-2024

Karen Jensen []

As a lifelong Iowan and former educator in the public school system, I strongly urge you to vote NO on SSB 3073. The AEA system has served Iowa students well for many years and must be maintained. I feel that every school district should work WITH their AEA to get the services they need. This bill penalizes smaller districts who cannot possibly access what is available now through the AEA system. Test score for students with disabilities are absolutely NOT the best way to evaluate the work of the AEA. This bill deserves much more public input, from parents, educators in the field, as well as administrators.

01-30-2024

Doug Rumohr []

01-30-2024

Mary Maher []

Please vote NO on this bill. I am contacting you to ask for your support and even give more funding to our AEAs. Fifty years ago, Iowas AEAs were created to serve children and students with disabilities. While AEAs are best known for their support for students with disabilities, from the beginning Iowas AEAs were funded and designed to support ALL students including those in general educations settings. AEAs current programs and services reflect the changing needs of families and partnering districts and schools, and those services are provided economically, using only a small portion of our overall budget. It was very evident the crucial role AEA plays when this agency went to Perry school to counsel the shooting victims and parents. Under the plan to cut AEA services this service would be cut. The only thing that needs to be changed with the AEA is greater funding by the state of Iowa so this agency can do its job. Counselors already cover many areas and do not need to be stretched any thinner. Cutting the funds on any program has never made it work better. Respectfully, Mary Maher

01-30-2024

Kathy Utterback []

Please tell me how this bill helps students and their families, and how does it support public schools and their communities. And where did the information come from that supports these changes superintendents, educators, families, community members? Where do you go from here, what ripple effects will there be to students families and communities? I cannot support this bill!!

01-30-2024

Kim Wesbrook []

Please vote against this bill (SB 3073). I am a strong supporter of Iowas Area Education Agencies continuing as they currently exist. These agencies improve the quality of education for ALL students, families, and educators in Iowa. The current construction of the agencies is financially prudent, and economical. My husband and I grew up in Iowa, and returned here to raise our children in a state that supports quality public education as a smart economic investment. Area Education agencies are a significant part of the quality of education and need to remain as is.

01-30-2024

Beth Lauterbach []

Vote no on SSB 3073. AEAs effectively provide much needed resources and support to the students, parents, teachers, staff, therefore communities, throughthe state.While I am here, please stop pushing these bills that are sent fom out of state. If it is good for the people of Iowa,do the work in house and show your research.

01-30-2024

Shannon Monson []

I have an incredibly hard time understanding why a bill that is being opposed by every public educator I know is being sold as the best thing for our students. Please listen to and value the opinions of the educated individuals who work day in and day out with our students! As a mom of a now thriving adult who was a recipient of AEA services all through middle school, high school and beyond, I and my family value the AEA. Please oppose HF 542.

01-30-2024

Laurie Smith []

I have worked as an Occupational Therapist for over 22 years, 18 of them serving children birth 21 years of age, in Nebraska and Iowa. I can honestly say the AEA system is the best system I have worked for! Are there changes that could be made? Absolutely. What do all good LEADERS do? They bring people in their system to the table and work together to make things better. NOTHING in this bill will make ANYthing better for the children, families, educators, or schools. Stand up for your constituents who are imploring you to vote NO. Fight for a comprehensive overview of the AEA system, WITH the AEA partners. Learn the FACTS. Step up as the leaders we voted you to be. Listen to the people.VOTE NO!

01-30-2024

Michelle Hicks []

Please do NOT let Governor Reynolds BULLY you into dismantling AEAs. She has NO idea what a disaster this will be and has proven time and time again that she does NOT care about how her ideas negatively impact Iowas children!! Large districts may be able to hire some of the services the AEA currently provides but there is no way rural schools will be able replace the resources they currently receive from the AEA!!! Iowa currently has a teacher shortage. If this bill passes, and I was a teacher, I would RUN not walk to another state to teach!! And why the rush?!? Look at the data!! Listen to your constituents who voted you in to office!! PLEASE stand up for Iowa teachers and kids! Please speak up AGAINST this insanity!!! Vote NO!!

01-30-2024

Ann Zerkel []

Our migrants are residents, members of our Iowa communities. They contribute in the same ways as the rest of us: paying taxes, supporting our local and national economies, participating in our schools and churches. They live here! They are US!

01-30-2024

Micah Minor []

We have a saying in school that ALL kids are general education students FIRST and SOME kids require special education in addition to that. Take away the supports to gen Ed students and their classrooms and you take it away from special education students, too. Whats GOOD for students in special education is ALSO GOOD for students in gen Ed. This is a system so intertwined that it cannot be cut apart some elements funded and others not. If there are improvements to be made, lets make them SLOWLY and with public voice and real data to support the changes. This bill is a machete hacking away at the school system (private AND public) and provides no alternative services to replace whats taken away. What is going on, Iowa? THIS MAKES NO SENSE.

01-30-2024

Danielle Martens []

Please vote NO to this bill. Iowa AEAs provide substantial support to our school districts and families in Iowa. As an educator and parent, please support our AEAs. It is a good system, and one that keeps costs affordable. Without the AEA, many of our rural school districts will be forced to contract with services outside of Iowa, resulting in expensive virtual services. We learned during COVID that virtual learning is NOT an adequate substitute for in person learning! In addition to hurting our schools and removing in person supports for educators, this will outsource jobs to private companies in other states. Why do we want to send our education dollars outside our own state borders? Let's pay and employ the excellent professionals and educators right here in our own state!

01-30-2024

Martin Wymore []

I oppose the steps that the Iowa House and Senate are taking to change the AEA systems. The services provided by the AEA system is a complicated network that has been established and refined over decades. The Iowa House and Senate are only spending a few weeks to somewhat study and reform the system is a very flawed process and format. The actions that you are discussing will greatly reduce the Iowa education system quality. Studying the system and supports is good, if done right. Developing a good process to study the systems will be critically important. Historically the state has done this at different times with different state services. I would urge you to create a process that is filled with the appropriate stakeholders schools, AEA staff, funding sources, and users. Roughly at least 1 year of time is needed for this independent review. The current process that you appear to be following will not adequately review these complicated systems. The Iowa Legislature cannot review all the issues around this in a few weeks or months. I fail to see why the state does not have 1 year to properly review and study an issue as important as this. As a life long Iowan for more than half a century, K12 education has always been really important to Republicans and Democrats. I hope that is still an item of critical importance to the Republican leadership, but your decision on this will clearly indicate whether this is a true statement. The current process that you are following here will abruptly change or destroy systems, that will not be fixable anytime soon. I hope that you are listening to the needs of Iowans and critically thinking about how to enhance our educational systems. I have heard many statements however that suggest that decisions are being made without the right facts and inputs. I am always surprised too that politics supersedes the critical importance of enhancing and improving K12 systems. Martin Wymore509 Richard LaneMarshalltown, Iowa

01-30-2024

stephen tews [UAW l-74 retired]

these AEAs are essential, especially since basic funding of k12 education is/has been underfunded. the proposal also denies school districts the means to raise revenue to fund these services through private contractors if they chose to use those services. Therefore, the real goal is to not have these services available to schools and their students. this is just mean spirited and hypocritacal by governor who says education of k12 is all important

01-30-2024

Elizabeth Brunsen []

Please vote no for this bill! The services the AEA offer are critical to student success and teacher support. Please take the time to actually talk to educators and families who directly work with the AEAs. You will quickly find that these services are valued and needed. Vote no!

01-30-2024

Anna Crenshaw []

As an itinerant teacher with the AEA, I'm quite literally begging you to stop this bill. I am so incredibly passionate about my work, which is making a difference every single day in all of my schools. This bill would dismantle the system that I love. I love my team, my consultants, my print shop, my media options, and more. Please, don't take away every support that I have and that my schools have. Please, stop this bill. Don't even amend it. Just please block it completely. I'm begging you.

01-30-2024

Anita Christensen []

I am opposed to HSB 542. The AEAs provide an invaluable service to our schools. At the speed this is moving, no one can possibly understand the ramifications to our schools. Please be brave and reject this bill.

01-30-2024

Chiara Burke []

Please vote NO on this legislation. I have worked with many students that would have had little chance to receive the education and assistance they needed to become productive members of society without the assistance and support that our schools received from the AEA. Every child deserves to receive any and every opportunity to learn and be supported at the level that they are at. Without the support of the AEA's, many students will lose the opportunity to receive critical services that will impact the rest of their lives.

01-30-2024

Janet Johnson []

Iowa needs ALL of the services provided by the AEAs! Teachers need professional development. Children need speech, physical, occupational services, etc. I live in a rural area which will feel the impact the most. I am against this bill!

01-30-2024

Brett Hakeman []

Please vote no on this AEA bill. My two young children attend a rural school district, which will feel a heavy impact of this bill. When you realize a year from now that you've made a terrible mistake, it will be too late and the damage will be done. Stand up for your constituents and vote NO.

01-30-2024

Lora Hight []

Please vote NO on SSB 3073 and listen to the voices of Iowans who do not want AEA services to be dismantled. Let's take the time to complete a systematic study with all stakeholders present. Iowa children depend on you to do the right thing. Thank You.

01-30-2024

Andie Olson []

As an educator of 28+ years, I will tell you firsthand that this hurts our KIDS!! PLEASE do not do this until you actually get into the schools and talk to the people who utilize this each and every day. Talk to the families that will be impacted directly by losing this. You are making a HUGE decision for all of our kids in Iowa.

01-30-2024

Brett Trenkamp []

I am writing to express my concerns about SSB 3073. I have been in education for 20 years, and this bill is not how we do better for children. First off, as representatives for the people of Iowa, please listen to your constituents and their first hand experiences with AEAs. Then do better and represent the voices of the people. Lets take a step back and do the comprehensive review that the Governor has referenced. Lets pinpoint the areas of concern within the state of Iowas education system and determine what needs to be done for the betterment of our learners. Then we can address those deficit areas with research based solutions, collaborate with parents, educators, and the DE to take the most beneficial steps to improving the education system in Iowa. Education System '' is not solely defined by services of the AEA. Take more time to get more data and research to help make an informed decision. You were elected to help support Iowas, so please do your part by listening to your constituents.

01-30-2024

Corey Rogers []

Please consider the wide ranging effects of this bill and vote no. House File 2629 includes requirements for Iowa public and accredited non public districts to provide computer science instruction for students. The AEAs across Iowa currently support districts with meeting these Future Ready requirements through Education & Media Services.The 2023 Iowa State of Computer Science report stated that on average there are 4,621 open computing jobs in our state with an average salary of $91,730. Ensuring Iowas workforce is Future Ready includes helping students, educators, and families understand how computer science impacts our daily lives and Iowas economy. The AEAs have collaborated with the computer science consultant at the Iowa DE, district leaders and educators, members of the Iowa STEM team, and community partners to ensure our schools have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide high quality computer science instruction for all students. Supports include facilitating the creation of district K12 CS implementation plans, virtual and face to face professional development for PreK12 teachers and administrators, coteaching and in classroom coaching of computer science integration into core content, and providing physical computing and robot lending libraries all delivered by a statewide computer science team to ensure equitable services across the state. Our collective efforts to help districts meet the requirements of HS 2629 have led to Iowa being named the 7th best state for computer science education in the nation.I implore you to slow down this process to fully investigate how the proposed changes will impact Iowas students, teachers, families, communities and economy. (See attachment for links to supporting documents and resources.)

Attachment

01-30-2024

Ali McCue []

I write today to voice my strong opposition to this bill and any amendments. This bill will leave districts, educators, and families scrambling for support and organization. It leaves AEA staff wondering if they have a job from year to year. Our students deserve these services. All students benefit from experts in literacy and math, consultants that support differentiation and UDL, and access to peers with and without disabilities. We moved back to iowa because we knew our kids would receive a good public education. This bill would suggest good public education is no longer a priority.

01-30-2024

Tiffany DeBow [Citizen]

This bill, written with input from an out of state vendor, has not had enough time to be reviewed & considered by the Iowans who live here, know our values & will be affected by these changes. Individual districts, who may not have full time or consistent needs, do not have the same negotiating power on their own as they do when their needs are pooled together at the AEA to make the work more lucrative and give the AEA bargaining power & leverage. Small, rural schools will be most hurt by this bill if the larger schools were to remove their contribution of the funds & use them in the private sector. Something the rural communities don't have access to & with a reduced need, they will not be as desirable to hire for. Not to mention the additional amount they will have to pay in order to have someone from the urban centers drive to the rural district for services. They will charge for their travel. The AEAs support all our students, through professional development for teachers, media & technology services that save the districts money and things like science kits that save teachers time & money sourcing materials & putting things together. Lastly, how many children have had better futures because the AEA is available to parents who have a baby that either will or has the potential for development delays & learning difficulties. From just being born premature to complicated medical cases, the AEAs provide families who may have just gotten the shock of their lives, with support to guide them on this new path, and early interventions to help their child achieve even more of their potential. We have more power & savings together than each district on their own. This is Iowa. We are supposed to be known for community, coming together & supporting each other. Not every man for himself. This bill hurts Iowa families. This bill is not Iowa.

01-30-2024

Marcia Musgrove []

My grandson has used AEA services and benefitted. Tax payer dollars are being used for private schools who done have to accept kids who benefit from AEA services. So now that resource is being revised/ removed. The regular classroom teacher isnt educated/ equipped to manage these special needs. I remember when public education with results was a point of pride in Iowa. If this is part of the Republican playbook it is a disgrace to Iowans who value education and opportunity for all Iowan children.

01-30-2024

Brandy Parsons []

Simply Vote NO to this bill! Our children of Iowa deserve a great education and not politicians choosing sides. We are talking about Children and their education! AEA is part of the success to a better education for our children! Sit down and really consider all avenues before rushing this through!!!

01-30-2024

Carole Cherne []

Please refuse to pass this disastrous bill. The AEAs provide invaluable services for all students. The governor purports that this would place greater local control, but in reality, it would increase control by the state government. If it isn't broken, don't claim to fix it when you're actually destroying it!

01-30-2024

Katie Petersen []

Vote no for this bill. It does not represent an ethical process for restructuring AEAs in Iowa. The governor is trying to advance her agenda through defunding public schools yet again. Vouchers and dismantling AEAs are both ways she is taking public money from public education.

01-30-2024

Cindy Thompson []

Please use your position as an elected official to hear the voices of your constituents and do what is best for the children of Iowa, which is not acting quickly in passing this bill. This bill does not include local input, does not give local control to school districts, and will not support local providers. The Governor herself mentioned a comprehensive review of the current system, so lets take the time to gather more information. The AEAs are not solely responsible for the education system of Iowa. High stakes decisions should be rooted in research and provide a well planned out solution. Please, vote no to this bill as written. Then lets take time to pinpoint Iowas educational deficits and collaborate with parents, educators, and the DE to find high quality solutions. I have spent 30 years working as a paraprofessional and appreciate the supports provided by our AEA.

01-30-2024

D.avid Kidd [Citizen]

The comments listed pretty much sum up why anyone voting should vote no. My comment is this I'm growing increasingly tired of this legislature and Governor Reynolds cutting much needed programs to further her agenda. Start passing legislation that benefits everyone in the state not just your contributors and the upper class.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Santiago []

I would like to add my voice of opposition to this bill. It is not written in the best interests of Iowans and the plethora of comments you are receiving lays out why. Please do not push this bill forward.

01-30-2024

Ann Sawtelle []

I've read the bill for SSB 3073. Please vote NO.If this had been in effect when my family member needed the services of our AEA, they would not have had the resources available to them that they required, nor would they have received necessary support in life skills which allowed them to successfully participate in their education. Again, please vote NO.

01-30-2024

Kirsten Brooks []

My name is Kirsten Brooks, and I guess you could say I'm an Iowa transplant. I have been living and voting in Iowa City since 2015, and for the past five years I have had the privilege of working with students and teachers in the West Liberty Community School District through the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency. Though I work day to day with one primary student, I havegotten to know many of the students, particularly those in the ELL and the Dual Language programs, and those receiving Special Education services. I have gotten to witness the progress that not only the learner I work with directly has made since fifth grade, but have watched that entire class grow up. I have watched them develop new language and academic skills through curriculum support, new technology skills through digital learning and technology resources provided to their district, experience unique and exciting opportunities through the Gifted and Talented program, and use digital and media resources in every gen ed class. All of these services and resources are supported by the MBAEA, and all would be cut under the Governor's proposed bill. Every student would be affected.While my heart aches for the students, teachers, and families, particularly in rural districts, who would be left without access to many services and resources, I am absolutely appalled at how this bill is being presented as a way of saving money and increasing local control, when in fact it does NEITHER. By turning so many services over to districts to arrange individually, it destroys existing economies of scale and leaves districts with smaller budgets unable to afford resources they currently have access to. In the absence of the AEA system providing Iowa educators and specialists with jobs that serve Iowa students, through which both groups in turn contribute to Iowa's economy, private providers based in other states or even countries will flood in and you can bet the profits they generate will not be directed back into Iowa.Furthermore, even leaving the likelihood of external private providers aside, this bill does nothing to further local control of services providedit transfers authority and administration to the state level at the Iowa Department of Education, and in severalcases, decisionmaking power will rest solely with the Director of the Department of Education. This is a far cry from the claim that is being made to parents and voters that the aim is to put local districts in control of these services. This is, rather, its oppositecentralizing power and increasing bureaucratic oversight.Please kill this bill outright. Improvements to the existing AEA system certainly can be made!but they must be made through a comprehensive review involving all the parties involved. We mustn't settle for anything less. Thank you!

01-30-2024

Amy Ripp []

Please vote No on SSB3073 I am extremely concerned regarding the negative impact this bill will have on Iowas educational system. Schools, teachers, students and families utilize all components of the AEA system. One part of the AEA cannot work without the other. The choice you are making will impact the future of education in Iowa.

01-30-2024

Kathleen Ruhser []

I am praying that this ill conceived and short sighted bill is defeated. What might look like savings initially will only cost the state and school districts more in the long run. Small schools cant afford to provide all of these services alone. So well end up paying more or doing without. Instead of cutting corners we should be willing to work to strengthen public education. If its not broken dont fix it.

01-30-2024

Nancy Conner []

This bill will cripple our small rural school districts! These districts will not be able to afford services through alternate sources which will undoubtably be more expensive than those currently being provided by their AEAS. Please give districts the ability to work with their staff and families to determine how their needs can best be met. Also, allow the AEAs time and resources to streamline their services to best meet the needs of their school districts and the students they serve. There is absolutely no need to rush this legislation other than to limit the public' input on the education of their children!

01-30-2024

Michelle Neyens []

Please vote no on SSB 3073.AEA services are needed to support teachers and families. Without these services, there could be detrimental outcomes for many families and school districts. AEA has been a vital instrument in supporting teachers, students and families after the recent Perry shootings. Please dont let teachers and families down and vote no.

01-30-2024

Michelle Neyens []

01-30-2024

Mona Gude []

As a retired educator, I know how much the AEAs supported my regular ed classrooms and when I taught SPED.This bill is very very wrong for the children of this state. I started out teaching in a rural school. The AEA van brought us so much. How can you think moving this to DM is best for rural districts?PLEASE consider what you are doing to education in our state!Show you care about kids. Please do not make a decision based on fear of the pressure techniques that the governor may apply. BE STRONG.Thank you,Mona Gude

01-30-2024

Robyn Robbins []

I urge Iowa Senators and Representatives to slow down this process! If there are efficiencies to be made to the AEA system, having an out of state company formulate a proposal without LOCAL public input is not the way to make changes in the best interests of students and families. The Governor says 'things will be the same' but they won't. Online resources that STUDENTS use to conduct research would go away. Science kits that provide hands on experiences to expand on the curriculum would go away. Mentoring and Induction support for TEACHERS new to the profession would go away. Parent Support Advocates, the professionals helping PARENTS navigate an unfamiliar or unfriendly environment would go away. RURAL schools with limited resources to put toward digital technology would suffer when it goes away. TEACHERS and STUDENTS struggling with challenging behaviors or have mental health barriers to participating in the general education classroom need guidance, consultation or support and it would go away. STUDENTS who struggle to learn to read, write or do math 'the way the book teaches it' and would benefit from guidance from consultants or professional development opportunities would no longer have that suppport that goes away. TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, STUDENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, SUPERINTENDENTS et al, would see a negative impact on their ability to meet Federal and State Procedural Mandates, conduct and provide quality supports for ALL studentsnot just those with special needs, provide services in an equitable manner across the state, from Urban to Suburban to Rural districts. PLEASE take the time to carefully consider the problem and possible solutions before doing the harm to education in Iowa that would be the result of this current bill.

01-30-2024

Megan Kuhlmann []

Rural schools rely on the services that our local AEAs provide. As a teacher in a rural school I count on the countless services that are provided to myself and my students on a daily basis. Please vote No!! This is moving too fast, without any real answers for all the changes being proposed.

01-30-2024

Diane Duncan-Goldsmith []

Please Vote No HSB 542 and SSB 3073Governor Reynolds introduction of legislation designed to upend and dismantle Iowas Area Education Agencies seems to be another way for her to disrupt and ultimately destroy Iowas public education system. Under Reynolds leadership, Iowas education system has fallen from a ranking of #3 to #24. Her AEA plan seems to be ever changing, since apparently she did not believe there was any reason for indepth studies or discussions with any AEA stakeholder to actually learn how AEAs currently operate and understand the many services provided to school districts, regardless of size, throughout Iowa.Under her plan, local control would be a thing of the past. Instead power and control of services would be taken away from local schools and local AEAs and given to the Department of Education director. Presently, between the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa State Board of Education and each AEAs local Board of Directors, every mechanism is in place which already provides current and timely oversight of Iowas AEAs. There has been no explanation as to why this change is needed.The proposed plan removes the economyofscale advantages which come with having a statewide system in place equitably serving all parts of Iowa. This was one of the founding principles legislators considered when AEAs were created. Exactly how would Iowas many small rural districts be able to afford or even find enough specialists to support the many services AEA staff professionals provide for special education students? These services and professionals are easily available through the AEAs. The AEAs were always designed to be economically efficient, provide better equity of services and be more effective in responding to constituent local boards, administrators, teachers and childrens needs. Why would AEAs need the explicit approval of the Iowa Department of Education director in order to offer only certain services, such as employing a child welfare liaison or employing a dietitian to support schools' nutrition programs? As a retired registered dietitian nutritionist and retired director of nutrition services for Iowa City Community School District, I can affirm small, rural districts need the expertise of dietitians in order to follow the nutrition guidelines specified for USDA school nutrition programs.The Governor raised concerns about salaries paid to AEA administrators, even though these salaries fall within the 5% AEA budget rules. In contrast, salaries of several of the Governors staff members went well beyond the 3% increase given at the start of the new fiscal year. Total salary increases ranged from 6% 15%.Legislators need to put both these bills on hold until an indepth review and analysis, which is not based on some outside consultant, can actually be done. Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators need to listen to the thousands and thousands of Iowans who oppose Governor Reynolds AEA proposed legislation.

01-30-2024

Jennifer McGregor []

The governor touts local control, yet proposes to move all decision making capabilities to 1 sole entity that serves at her pleasure. She boasts about multibillion in Iowa's surplus (really, how much reserve does a state actually NEED??), yet year after year reduces funding to all schools in Iowa, as well as the Area Education Agency system that schools rely on. I think, with some checking you would find several public agencies in Iowa woefully underfunded while growing Iowa's coffers. Why?? Our constitution is set up in order to create checks and balances of government, so that no one entity gets too much control, and in this situation, I think our governor is operating with some hidden agenda that does not have Iowa's children, families, and educators, not to mention rural public schools, at the forefront. At the very least, please stop this bill from moving any further and complete that comprehensive review that the governor originally mentioned before landing her bombshell of a bill in everyone's lap. At the very most, this bill should be completely scrapped and schools as well as the AEAs should be adequately funded for more than 1 year in order to let the current MTSS work show measurable progress. Why is our governor in such a rush to push this bill through? Why are there already job postings for a nonexistent special education department? I urge you to vote no. Teacher compensation should be considered separately, but a plan should also be made for how to make sure school budgets can sustain increased teacher pay moving forward. I appreciate the work that you do. Please consider the children. They are the future of this state. Please do not let the governor pressure you into this completely destructive plan. REVIEW previous oversight/accreditation reports, INTERVIEW all parties and stakeholders that are affected by this highstakes decision, OBSERVE the various AEA programs in action, and use TEST results such as the ISASP that actually measure true progress. (the RIOT (Review, Interview, Observe, Test) method is what we use to make sure we provide due diligence when we evaluate students for special education services you should do no less). The children, families, and educators of Iowa deserve no less. The attachment shows how every service is rooted in Iowa Code.

Attachment

01-30-2024

Don Wehr [Retired Teacher]

To: The Iowa SenateI support Iowa's Area Education Agencies and oppose Gov. Reynolds plan to slash services and cut funding for vital education services that reach every school in Iowa.Please vote NO on Senate Study Bill 3073 or any legislation that harms our AEAs.

01-30-2024

Laura Ramaekers []

Im writing to you as a parent of two young children, as well as a practicing school psychologist to urge you to stop this bill. I too want our students with disabilities to achieve at high levels, and succeed! However, reducing support that our schools rely on, removing local control by consolidating supervision of AEAs under the governors appointed director of the department of education, and taking control away from districts to determine what services and supports they can receive from whatever is left of the AEA system will only hurt the current generation of students, as well as hurt our Iowa kids for generations to come. I ask you to listen to the Iowa educational experts about what is working and what we can improve. Now is not the time to be Iowa nice. Now is the time for courage to stand up for what the students, parents, educators, school board members, and the community is telling you loud and clear. Vote No on this bill!

01-30-2024

Barbara Puffinbarger []

Please vote NO for dismantling the AEA.The Department of Education shouldn't be in charge when the director has no educational background or education. She couldn't teach. Please bring educators to the table to make a bill that is what is best for education

01-30-2024

Avita Mace []

Please do not vote for this. We continue to talk about the dropping numbers of people staying in the state. This is drive younger people who either have children or want them to leave as it appears that Iowa does not support education or those with special needs. Its time to slow this down and figure out the correct way to support the schools

01-30-2024

Heather Main []

I am asking you to please do what is best for Iowa's children and vote "no" to this bill. I am unsure how this bill is in the interest of any children, general education or special education. This bill will impact our rural schools and communities the hardest. If you truly believe reform is needed, I encourage you to please, take the time to review data that accurately measures what the concerns are and go from there. Please stand up for and support what many Iowan's are telling you this bill is not what is best for our children.

01-30-2024

Charlie Johnson []

I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to SSB 3073. I am a lifelong Iowa resident who was fortunate to receive my education in Iowa's public schools. I am also a retired teacher and school administrator who worked in both public and private schools in Iowa for close to 30 years. As a former elementary principal and superintendent I depended on the professionals from the Area Education Agencies for professional learning, media resources for our schools and services to students with special needs. The AEA system has served Iowa well for 50 years. Before changes are made in the structure and functions of the AEAs there should be thoughtful consideration of the impacts the changes will have. I urge the subcommittee to delay action on this legislation to give parents, school boards, teachers and administrators time to provide accurate information to the legislature. This is not the time for speedy action.

01-30-2024

Jody Albertson []

What is left to say? Iowa clearly doesn't want the changes proposed in this legislation. It will have a devastating impact on an educational system that has been a source of pride for us for a very long time. This proposal will create a governmental bureaucracy that is less effective, less economical, and far less equitable. Please vote against SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Michelle Marshall [GPAEA]

As a life long learner and educator for 32 years, it is important that we, the adults in our students' lives, do what is BEST. What problem is this bill fixing? How will this bill help get better outcomes for our Iowa children? Our children are counting on you to make sound, well thoughtout decisions that are based on nothing but objective, sound data that will bring them a better future.

01-30-2024

Penny Clarahan []

Please vote NO to this bill! We need to slow this process down, and bring all the Iowa stakeholders together in a thoughtful process to study the AEAs, instead of making a decision so suddenly that will negatively impact students and schools. How does this bill intend to improve student achievement? How does this bill help the state of Iowa?

01-30-2024

Amy Endle []

I strongly oppose this bill. In the recently completed review of the AEA system, the one suggestion made was for AEAs to expand services. The data Governor Reynolds is basing this decision on is extremely biased, a purchased opinion that aligns with her agenda, and did not take into consideration input from important stakeholders. A thorough review of the AEA was promised so take a year to initiate a thorough review which includes ALL parties. Has anyone reviewed the DE to see if they are capable of overseeing all 9 AEAs? Allowing AEAs to maintain regional supervision ensures we are not operated from an ivory tower approach. Will the DE employees be able to come to difficult IEP meetings on short notice? Can they quickly respond to urgent emails and calls from principals, superintendents, and AEA staff? Given my experience waiting for DE feedback, I highly doubt it. Kill this bill.

01-30-2024

Katie Wells []

It has become evident over the past several weeks how passionate we all are about our children and education in Iowa. This bill is moving so quickly, and there are so many questions about what services will be available, how schools will access and pay for these services, and how this will affect Iowa students, teachers, and families. Please vote no to SSB 3073. We need to ensure we are doing what is best for our children.

01-30-2024

Ryan Collins []

I am writing in strong OPPOSITION to SSB 3073. This bill will inflict severe consequences on the behavioral and emotional wellbeing of students, their families, and the communities that rely on these critical services. Two of the little known services provided by the AEAs are Emergency Reunification Response and Crisis Emergency Support. As a first responder, I have collaborated with the local AEA in development of crisis response plans. Discontinuing such vital services, or even disempowering local facilitators, creates undue barriers and jeopardizes the safety and wellbeing of students, their families, and the communities in times of need. Furthermore, the lack of immediate intervention through these services may further exacerbate the severity of a crises, resulting in lasting consequences for the affected individuals. I strongly urge the committee to vote NO on SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Theresa Cecill []

The present revision legislation of the AEAs was not written by Iowans. Therapists, speechlanguage pathologists and psychologists will gravitate toward cities and larger districts. Smaller and private schools will not be able to afford services.Consider that Iowa's low special education scores cannot be compared to many other states'scores. In the late 80s, Iowa began an initiative to revise its special education delivery system that resulted in a tiered system of identification and intervention for , at the time LD students. As a result, LD students scores especially represent a group with much more impairment than those in many states. This system was later adopted as an option by the federal DE and is now part of IDEA. Former governor Branstad served on the commission whic recommended this move to the federal DE.Also, why someone not disaggregated students'test scores to see which group p, LD, speechlanguage, cognitively impaired etc., are not doing well? Iowa may not keep these labels anymore, but the federal DE does. Why dismantle the whole system to solve the problem? And, if fewer administrators are needed, then so be it. Don't destroy the whole system.

01-30-2024

Sara Chorpening []

I am greatly concerned with bill SSB 3073 / HSB 542. It oversimplifies a complex process and overlooks many key details. How will this bill positively impact student achievement? What is the transition plan? There will be a massive interruption in services if this is passed. I implore you to please listen to your thousands of constituents and vote NO.

01-30-2024

Dana Harskamp []

I am writing to you as an educator with over 20 years of experience who has taught special education and led a building as a principal. I relied on AEA support on a daily basis to provide the highest quality education for ALL my students. It is your job as a representative to listen to your constituents. Public outcry is loud and clear. Regardless of party lines, Iowans are not in favor of this bill. You need to get the facts from those who serve in the field as educators. This bill will set Iowas education system back and will remove necessary support for students and schools. Iowas children are depending on you. Do not pass this bill

01-30-2024

Jodi Jensen []

Dear Committee, I am writing to encourage you to vote No for this bill. It will only hurt our special Ed kids. Why are we making drastic changes according to a person who has no experience in education only what Betsy DeVoss has taught her. Let's put our state back on the map with making education a priority for Iowans. Reynolds is destroying our schools,Let's vote no.

01-30-2024

Jennie Knudtson []

Iowas Area Education Agencies exist to provide important and equitable resources and services to our students at a cost much lower than what school districts can access and afford on their own. HSB 542 will eliminate the AEAs as they currently are and will negatively impact Iowas students. We need all parts of our AEAs. The Governors plan will decimate AEAs and will make resources and services even harder to attain, especially for rural districts. The Governor states that this change is needed because of low Special Education scores. How will this plan improve these scores? What data supports this? She has also cited that local control will be taken back. How does moving control from districts and local AEA offices to Des Moines accomplish that? Please consider the implications this will have on ALL of Iowas districts and especially the small rural ones that you serve. Please vote no on HSB 542.

01-30-2024

Terri Johnson [Kids Workd Daycare and Preschool]

I am the director of sn early care and education center in the second poorest county in the state. We use so many of the incredible services provided by Great Prairie AEA. From Early Access Interventionists to speech pathologists, from physical therapists to occupational therapists. Our children participate in the hearing screenings. Our staff attend professional development with the Early Childhood Consultants who support our teaching staff. Please stand up for Iowa's children, families, teachers, and schools. Vote NO!

01-30-2024

DEBBIE BERTELSON []

Please vote no to the AEA bill. This will hurt our rural schools and the students that are in need of their services. I have 2 grandchildren who are currently using these services and have made leaps and bounds because of the AEA services. Please take the needs of our children and the rural schools into consideration!!!

01-30-2024

Shannon Sterling []

I strongly urge you to oppose the proposed legislation regarding extreme changes to the AEA system. The AEAs have evolved over the last 50 years to respond to school districts' needs, in particular in rural areas who have limited access to resources, including media, training, printing, and technology services. The AEA is committed to providing every public and accredited nonpublic school with what it needs to serve children Birth21 in the entire state of Iowa. The outrage by Iowans about this proposal is clear, across the state and across party lines, and all Iowa children will suffer if this passes.

01-30-2024

Jamie Israel []

Please vote NO to this proposal. The AEA system was created to provide equitable services and resources for Iowa students and this bill decimates the intent behind supporting Iowa children, families, students, teachers, and school districts. Based on conversations, emails, facts and biases, the amendment to this bill is riddled with inaccuracies. Iowans do not support this. Please allow our AEAs to continue to operate as structured to best serve Iowa!

01-30-2024

Kaye Siders []

I am respectfully asking that SSB 3073 be reconsidered. It is disconcerting to me as a voter that so many people have reached out to request this not be considered and yet, here we are. As an educator who utilized the AEA for services in reading, math, behavior, autism, professional development, para training for my para, coaching and modeling in my classroom, I am incredibly distraught at the thought all of these needed supports that made me a better educator will be eliminated. In my field have met no one who supports this dismantling of supports. In addition I have yet to hear how this plan will actually improve special education test scores and close the learning gap? Is there any data that has been studied to show how this plan will work at improving scores?In addition, why does the amendment take even more control away from local districts? Districts will need to get DE approval to work with AEA? What happens to all students and their ability to access FAPE should this proposal pass? If we eliminate so many supports it will be increasingly difficult to ensure FAPE. One last thought, the data studied was very limited and does not represent special education in Iowa as a whole. Have you studied IEP goals from students? Those are the biggest representation of student achievement for special education? I personally have seen many students do so well they are staffed out of special education, having consistently met IEP goals. This s the point of an IEP. Students are more than test scores. Please do not dismantle the AEAs. This will harm, not help, all students. To end, the AEAs have never said changes dont need to be made, but to bring in a sledgehammer and completely obliterate all of the benefits the AEAs provide is unforgivable. Thank you for reading.

01-30-2024

Martha Wolf []

I stand in opposition to this bill. I am astounded that it is even seriously being considered given AEAs rapid response to providing counselors at the school shooting in Perry. I choose to be positive and believe as Legislators you will listen to all the varied voices from across the state, and decide to spend a little more time exploring all the services local school districts would have to replace, if staff was even available. What is the rush?

01-30-2024

Gina Dob []

As the parent of a student who recieved both special education and gifted services, I strongly oppose this bill! Taking away the media funding basically means that there will be no way to have meaningful media (think online learning, hands on STEM kits, books not available in the local district and MUCH more!). These were so helpful to keeping my child engaged and succeeding at school. This is a bad bill. We need AEAs and all the services they provide.

01-30-2024

Theresa Cecill []

01-30-2024

Jenny Butler []

I am writing to express my concern about SSB 3073. I am a public school teacher currently teaching at HowardWinneshiek CSD in Cresco, IA. I have been a public school teacher for 16 years. Those years have been evenly split between teaching in general education and special education positions. AEA resources and personnel have been and continue to be invaluable to me, my students, my students' parents, my colleagues, and my administrators.All public school students are general education students first. AEAs provides support in utilizing MultiTiered System of Supports in order to maximize student achievement and support students' social, emotional, and behavior needs. These needs have been increasing exponentially in recent years. Asking teachers and schools to support general education students without the support from AEAs is absurd and will certainly lead to poor learning outcomes and most likely increase the current teacher shortage as teachers will find the expectations overwhelming.When I taught in an English Language Arts classroom, I utilized AEA media services to provide a variety of literacy materials for my students. Providing choice and varied reading levels on an as needed/wanted basis is critical to engaging students in reading. In using the Keystone AEA media services, I could search for student requested materials or materials that I needed but my school didn't have and have them delivered to my classroom usually within a few days. As a special education teacher, I use the media services to locate differentiated curriculum that will meet my students' varied needs. This includes social skills, adaptive behavior, and autism supports, not to mention the various math and literacy manipulatives and intervention materials that are available.Keystone AEA helps our district with professional development and supports content area teachers with trainings that keep our staff at the top of their profession.The Keystone AEA staff is an integral part of our district. I have students who work with occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers. I regularly consult with AEA staff to support the writing and implementation of students' IEPs, to design interventions for nonidentified students, to assist with communication to parents about evaluations and functional behavior assessments. If we lose the services of the AEA staff, my job would become overwhelming and impossible to do well. Our students would lose access to the excellent resources that are provided through the AEA.I sincerely and respectfully request that you listen to the stakeholders that would be directly impacted by this bill and use your vote to support AEAs and public schools.

01-30-2024

Amanda Stefanik []

I employ you to vote no to this bill as it will not improve the special education system just disrupt and decrease services. The AEA's are vital to the support and implementation of special education services that our children with disabilities are entitled to. This bill would cause services to become inequitable to our most vulnerable population. If changes need to be made to the special education system it needs to be done with appropriate data and with looking at the system as a whole which includes the AEA's but also includes the schools and funding provided. Please vote no to this bill that hurts the special education system and find a meaningful way to help.

01-30-2024

Kelsey Lode []

I strongly oppose this bill due to its potential harm to Iowa's teachers and learners, particularly in rural districts. The proposed changes jeopardize future success for Iowa's public education system, which has been a national model for equitable educational services for decades. Allowing private entities into public education raises concerns about prioritizing profit over student needs. I urge you to vote AGAINST the bill and suggest addressing teacher pay raises separately while taking a thoughtful, yearlong approach to solving any perceived issues within the AEAs.

01-30-2024

Nicole Ferriss []

Please vote NO to this bill! This bill would harm and directly impact so many very educated, talented, and respected people and students! The need for the AEA has proven and continues to prove their importance and the impact they make on those they serve. As a mental health provider, I admire and respect all they do and the services they provide! Do better Iowa and support what is important and warranted and that is this exceptional agency that has changed and changes the lives of so many! Vote NO!!

01-30-2024

Kelly Baxter []

The impact this will leave on the State of Iowa and its education system is unfathomable. The amount of students it will impact is unimaginable. The only way our children thrive is if our teachers have the support of the AEA to help ensure their success.

01-30-2024

Joseph Behmer []

I am an educator and a parent of a child who received the amazing support of the Early Access program. The AEA support we received for our son in addition to the support they offer teachers and schools are critical to sustained success of our schools. Communities need strong AEAs. Vote no to Governor Reynolds plan!

01-30-2024

Joseph Behmer []

01-30-2024

Derek Buckaloo []

AEA's provide many valuable services to thousands of students across Iowa each year. If we're even considering reforms in relation to them, they should only come after deep study, which makes clear the effects of those reforms. This legislation is rushed and illadvised, and I urge that it be voted down.

01-30-2024

Melissa Heston []

I am a retired teacher educator. I prepared teachers of all kinds at the University of Northern Iowa. When I arrived in Iowa in 1989, Iowa was consistently first or second in the nation, competing with Minnesota for top honors in the educational achievement of its students.In the past 15 years, I have watched Iowa sink lower and lower and lower. We are now, at best, middle of the pack nation wide, if that. This decline didnt happen because teachers were learning and teaching critical race theory (which NEVER happened) or honest accounts of US history which only sometimes happened. It didnt happen because of the books children and teens could access in school and public libraries. It didnt happen because of LGTB kids or pronoun preferences.Iowas educational decline happened because the Iowa legislature and Iowa Governors chose to let it happen through their willingness to underfund public schools and public universities, their unwillingness to create true universal preschool, and ignore the need for expansions of high quality affordable childcare. It happened because teachers were underpaid and constantly criticized. So now, Iowa is cheerfully marching to toward the creation of a two tear system of education private schools at public expense and underfunded public schools that increasingly serve poor and low income children. All so the rich can get tax cuts and governors and legislators can score political points.I have no children, and I strongly support public education that is DIRECTLY responsible to taxpayers, especially local taxpayers. Private schools have no need to consider the will of taxpayers because they NEVER answer directly to them. And public schools already get the brunt of kids who need special education services of all kinds because private schools face no mandate, ethical or legal, to serve every single child.This bill is yet another betrayal of the proud public education past of Iowa. The AEAs have served both small and large districts well for decades. Legislators who vote yes are simply the latest obedient soldiers in the war to kill public education thats been occurring since the mid 80s. Shame on anyone who supports this bill. The future of Iowa is at stake, and as public education fails, so will Iowa as a state. Youve stopped worrying about brain drain and are now recklessly pursuing a race to the bottom. It is so much easier to break something than to rebuild it once its gone.

01-30-2024

Kelly Ashworth []

Please vote NO! This bill destroys public education and does not support the States maintenance of effort in educating students with disabilities and providing the with FAPE. It will create inequities and open the door to lawsuits because districts will not be able to follow IEPs.

01-30-2024

Kris Manteufel [Prairie Lakes AEA ]

Please Please consider not passing this legislation, especially as it's currently written! I am a School Social Worker and have worked with the AEA system for 10 years and that work has incredible value to students, districts and families. Recently I was part of a team of AEA specialists supporting a preschool student who has significant disabilities and the collaboration was the perfect example of how we worked effectively, efficiently and aligned our knowledge and resources to support the student and team. Please protect Iowa's AEAs! Thank you for your service, time and efforts!

01-30-2024

Maria Hasken-Averkamp []

I'm an Iowa lifelong learner who has invested my heart and soul into over 20 years of teaching middle and high school science. This bill is not in the best interest of our state. It will create chaos and confusion that will undermine our educational established system of support and access to critical resources. Keep in mind, a large majority of Iowa students receive most of their instruction in a general education classroom. I personally experienced exceptional AEA support during my classroom years, and I can attest to the power of a system that supports educators to continue to grow and finetune their craft. When teachers have access to learn about highquality curriculum resources and researchedbased best practices, they in turn enjoy and are energized by their work and their students thrive. Reducing AEA services will not create the systemwide positive changes all Iowans want and need from their schools.

01-30-2024

Erin Lepird []

I am writing to urgently request your vote AGAINST HSB 542/SSB 3073. The citizens of Iowa deserve a wellplanned, comprehensive review that includes ALL stakeholders before making irreversible decisions.The concerns raised by teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and parents across the state must be heeded. Their collective outcry is a clear sign that more consideration is needed.I urge you to prioritize a thorough and inclusive review process, listening to those closest to the work. Please vote NO on HSB 542/SSB 3073 to ensure a more thoughtful and collaborative approach to any proposed changes. The wellbeing of our education system and, by extension, the future success of our students, hinges on your thoughtful consideration of all perspectives.

01-30-2024

Annie Novak Clough []

PLEASE VOTE NO. I have worked in Des Moines Public (an Independent School district that STILL used the AEA for related services that are potentially being discontinued) for 15 years and now at Heartland AEA for the last 4. Here are the things our communities risk losing WHEN (not if....when....) AEA's change and become controlled by the Department of Education and possibly discontinued. There are subcomittees meeting tomorrow; please email your republican (especially) constituents ASAP. Local agencies are not able to support mental health; I have spent probably 20% of most work weeks helping my challenging behavior students access mental health supports like hospitals, clinics, and doctors' appointments because there is literally no one else to help. My AEA colleagues all do the same. I am a challenging behavior consultant that serves our students that are really having a hard time and have been told by mutliple clinicians, parents, and agencies in and out of state that our students are getting exceptional services here and we are making it possible for them to succeed behaviorally and academically. Local districts can't afford to support hiring professionals in all these areas individually with the credentials and experience my colleagues and I have. Professional Development is inadequate when provided by individuals in isolation and the AEA allows teachers to learn important skills (especially behavioral skills as educators are fleeing from the profession) and have access to qualified professionals that help develop IEP's, support students to stay in general education classes as much as possible, and learn.

01-30-2024

Meghan Rich []

Please do not support this bill! The AEAs are vital. They can make improvements but this bill completely guts them and turns over power to the DE which is the opposite of local control. This will hurt ALL kids and teachers, but especially those in rural communities!

01-30-2024

Kristyn Harmsen []

I am a second grade teacher at am accredited non public school in Eastern Iowa. Because of the ESAs passed our enrollment has increased as has the need of the AEA in our school. The AEA provides our school many services and without them, I would have to pay for them out of pocket. I would not be able to afford it because my sallary is less than forty thousand a year. The kids who have come to us from the ESA program have increased the need for AEA services and the students are keeping our AEA partners busy. My son also uses the AEA services in his preschool. Because the AEA is so accessable, my son was able to get services as early as preschool age. We could not b3 more happy with the support we recieve from them and knowing that his services could continue to the grade school that he goes to regarless of being public or not. The AEA should not be disbanded. It is vital tonour school, community, ans children.

01-30-2024

Amanda Jensen []

Governor Reynolds ran on supporting & improving childrens mental health. This legislation would limit training and access to quality mental health training for public school employees. Additionally, it would limit the AEAs role in school crisis response services and supports, which we just saw the massive need for with the horrific tragedy in Perry. Please listen to Iowans and kill this bill!

01-30-2024

Maddie W []

PLEASE consider slowing down with this bill. Being from a rural community and teaching in one as well, I know this will hurt all schools. I have had the privilege to utilize so many AEA supports, and I am truly scared to picture what our school may be like without. This is not only going to hurt the teachers in the school but most importantly the students are going to be severely impacted. The students benefit so much from the AEA. Students are being taught by teachers who have had the opportunity to learn new skills through the AEA and they have access to materials they may not have if it werent for the AEA. Again, please reconsider supporting this bill and help get this process slowed down.

01-30-2024

Sherri Imoehl []

Please vote no on this bill. This bill is harmful to our students, teachers, families, and communities. Please take time to thoughtfully and carefully study the AEA system before making this decision. It is an effective and efficient system and careful study and review can make it even stronger. Removing it or deconstructing parts of it creates a void that will be felt for generations.

01-30-2024

Mary BakerLauderdale []

Our communittees need more help with education, not less. Why are Republicans, especially Gov. Reynolds, trying to deny the right to education? That is what this bill will do. SSB 3073 should never be allowed to happen. Vote this down for the sake of good education. area education has been around as long as I can remember. It has helped many people. I haven't ever heard any negatives about it until someone wants to keep money from funding!

01-30-2024

Amanda Devereaux []

Please vote no on this bill. I have a disabled child and we are happy with her AEA services as they are. We have enough to worry about without adding these changes. How can you even consider a bill that so many people are against? I have not seen one comment supporting this bill.

01-30-2024

Eric Haaland []

I am a parent of four and husband to a 13yr special needs educator, who now works for the AEA as a special education consultant. Two of our children have graduated high school and two are still in the public grade school. One of our children benefited from AEA speech services during elementary; over about a 5month period he worked with an AEA SLP, and was exited after reaching proficiency. I additionally know how important the AEA media services were to my wife during her time teaching in the classroom; she was able to borrow current, targeted teaching curriculum for making individualized lessons for her students. It has also been extremely helpful for my wife to receive affordable, relevant, job focused training opportunities through the AEA.These same AEA services that our family has received will benefit others and would continue to benefit our schools.Iowas AEAs helps Iowans. It helps our students. It supports and educates our teachers. And the AEA provides essential expertise, services and supports to our schools.I appeal to you to vote No to bill SSB 3073.Sincerely,Eric Haaland

01-30-2024

Kelly Gallagher []

Please make an educated decision on this bill. This will not be best for the students of Iowa. You may believe in local control and choice in spending, but all the money in the world cannot buy services that don't exist. Students will not receive supports they are legally required to, resulting in larger gaps in needs and lawsuits. All students deserve the "freedom to flourish."

01-30-2024

Lindsey Clemen []

As a parent of young children in rural Iowa, my kids' daycare and preschool rely on media services, learning kits, books, and curriculum support materials. Their teachers also rely on the AEA to provide supports for students and professional development. AEAs are essential to all students in Iowa's success general education and special education students. Our students are more than test scores. Please protect our AEAs.

01-30-2024

Jessica Roman []

As a new teacher 22 years ago, AEA services saved me from leaving the profession. I found myself teaching a class where children spoke languages I didn't understand, had behaviors I didn't understand, and had developmental levels that spanned several years. I received support in teaching ELL students, professional development and coaching in preventing and responding appropriately to challenging behavior, inthemoment support and coaching in implementing necessary interventions for students, and all of the educational materials I needed to meet the varied instructional needs of my class. Fast forward a few year, and my child benefitted from AEA services and resources, and is now a successful college student. I have since joined Early Access as a teacher, and work through the AEA to provide inhome education, support, and coaching to parents of children with developmental delays and disabilities. We work with medical providers, other agencies, and families to provide comprehensive, streamlined services when children transition from the NICU to home, are referred by their pediatrician, WIC, or other agency, or when a parent makes a referral on their own. This approach is continued when we work directly with schools to transition children to special education in preschool (when applicable), or when we connect families to other opportunities for their children when they are not in need of special education in preschool. I serve rural school districts, and AEA services are the ONLY services that are reliably available. There are no pediatricians or pediatric therapy services in the four counties I serve. Families lack transportation, time, and resources to travel to urban areas to access those types of services, and count on the availability of AEA. Rural areas stand to lose the most with the passage of this bill. Vote NO to this hurried, wrecking ball of a bill, and instead, bring stakeholders to the table to create a comprehensive, thoughtful plan to improve outcomes for all Iowa's children.

01-30-2024

Victoria Girard []

Protect our AEAs! I have been a proud AEA staff for 19 years and one of the BEST benefits of working for this organization is that I know ALL of the students I serve, regardless of income or circumstance, receive quality services to access their education and reach their potential.

01-30-2024

Melissa Hesner []

I am against this bill. It is based on misinformation and the proposed amendments do not address my concerns. Get the facts before making decisions that will be detrimental to all schools, teachers, families, and children.

01-30-2024

Kara Veach [GPAEA]

Simply put. . . this bill will hurt teachers and students in our state. For example, under this bill, access to needed professional development will be significantly delayed (at best) due to the suggested approval process from the Iowa Department of Ed. If the goal of the bill is to increase local control of services, HOW does this process increase local control?HOW does this bill help teachers and students close achievement gaps you might ask? It doesn't. What has been proven to close achievement gaps? High quality professional development paired with ongoing implementation support provided by Iowa's AEA system. The AEA serves as the "boots on the ground" and is equipped to provide daily/weekly support to teachers and students within Iowa's school districts including the rural districts, which are seemly being overlooked by this bill. Please vote no.

01-30-2024

Theresa Walton []

I am a mother of a child who has benefited from AEA services. It greatly concerns me that the state would just cut down the services the AEA provides for schools. This would impact the kids in such a negative way. This bill would also make it much harder for teachers and school administrators to provide adequate support for kids that need it. If kids, our future, mean anything to you then this bill should NOT be passed!!

01-30-2024

Amanda Hennigar []

I am strongly against this bill and it should not be passed in any form.In my 20 years working in various educational settings, I have seen numerous times how impactful the AEAs have been to children, families and schools. The AEAs have had a strong, positive, and important role to play in Iowa's education system for 50 years and I hope they can continue to do so.There is no upside to these proposed changes, and they would only be detrimental to Iowa's children. Rural school districts would be especially devastated.It is irresponsible to those you have been chosen to represent to even consider supporting this bill and I strongly urge you to vote no. Please take the time to visit with and listen to the stakeholders and what they have to say. Hear from those it would affect the most. Once this is done it can not be undone and would be catastrophic for most of your constituents. II worry for Iowa's future if this bill is passed.

01-30-2024

Mark Schmedinghoff []

This bill will be a disaster for Iowa's children. It is an unnecessary attack on the hardworking people who serve our children with special needs. No parents or educators support this terrible plan.It should not be amended or modified. It must be defeated, and the governor needs to find another way to pay for her tax giveaways to corporations.

01-30-2024

Leah Driscoll []

my daughter has received direct AEA services for three years and it is the reason shes excelling in first grade at this time. Removing the services that are outlined in this bill would do nothing but hurt our students. The AEA has consistently shown positive outcomes, good use of resources and help our teachers do their job the best. Quit messing with our kids futures.

01-30-2024

Marie Conklin []

The way our government works is you represent us. The opposition for this bill is loud and clear, so why is this even still a possibility. This will hurt students. To say their services will not be interrupted is not possible while each district tries to figure out how to move forward. The reasons why, don't line up and this appears to be overreach. Our rural districts will crumble with this bill. If you truly care about kids, you will take the time to really look at the system and allow for necessary changes to be made. Not throw out an entire system without a viable replacement. Our schools and students need the person who is there with them, walking with them to figure outv how to provide top notch services for our students, not a person who lives in Des Moines and might be available through only a screen or phone. This bill makes no sense in terms of serving students and makes a lot of sense is you are trying to get more control and money. You do not make the decisions for our students, you are there to represent the people and the people have been very loud and clear about this bill. I am not asking you to stop this bill, I am telling you to do so because you were elected represent our voice, not what do what the governor tells you to do.

01-30-2024

Tracy Petersen []

Please vote no to SSB 3073. Area Education Agencies are vital partners with school districts, educators, families, and students which need to be fairly funded. I have worked for GWAEA for 37 years as a speech language pathologist and am proud of the thousands of students that I have helped communicate more effectively. AEAs are the system in Iowa to ensure equity. The size and geographic location of your school should not impact the availability or quality of the services that children receive. Thank you for your consideration.

01-30-2024

Sue Bartel-Kelso []

Slow down! Lets take some time to do a comprehensive overview of the system, which includes educators, administrators and AEA staff having a seat at the table. If there are specific problems, lets address them but lets not burn the whole house down just because you need a new kitchen floor. This bill as written does not fix anything, but creates more problems, both seen and unseen. I strongly oppose HSB 542 / SSB 3073 and implore you to vote NO! Iowans do not want this bill.

01-30-2024

Shannon Parrish []

Please vote No for SSB3073. According to the MerriamWebster Dictionary a "Public Servant: is a government office or employee." The first example provided online states, "the new governor vowed that he would always remember why he was called a public servant and not the people's master." I would just like the Governor and Legislators to stop and review what the public is telling you they want. No one asked for this bill and if they did why are his/her voices not found in the comments to the bill, found online, found in the newspapers, found on newscasts, or found anywhere? Someone point me to these comments or information so I can learn more. People including the legislators were lied to about what this bill was going to have in it. People are lied to on camera on what this bill will do and be about and then something different shows up in the bill and amendment. Why lie to the public? I understand why this type of bill is getting pushed through fast to silence people who have factchecked information and know the real data on how Iowa kids are doing and it does not support this decision. If you actually have data to support your decision people will listen and hear it with open minds I do think that. AEAs are open to a review so I am confused why that would not even be considered. Basing a massive decision like this on what was it 266 kids score on one test (reminder in 2022 the data shows Iowa has 1,310 public schools in 328 school districts with 517,444 students), one day that no one even talks about when working in the school districts is disheartening not only for Iowans but to basically blame these 266 kids is in essence what you are doing. These kids represent all types of districts in Iowa whether they are using AEA services or not. That is a pretty small sample size if you ask me. I wonder how many of those students have exited goal areas or even exited special education by now? Wouldn't that be exciting to learn about? Focus and learn about all the celebrations special education kids are exhibiting daily would be great data to consider. I guarantee you would find hundreds if not more stories of kids across Iowa making progress on individual goal(s) and even exits from special education. Switching gears. I also am encouraging legislators to separate or develop a new bill to increase teacher pay as they deserve it. Please provide your funding plan with that increase every year after. Just providing it this year with no plan to renew I am sorry I am skeptical that funding will continue as many times teacher salary increases each year do not even cover inflation. How will any district find the funds to pay for teacher salary increases, pay for AEA services (if the DE Director approves it), or a private service you keep talking about, or try to purchase AEA staff for their own use? Can these questions be answered? What about parochial school students who receive services either from the public district or AEA they reside in? What is the plan for those families? Would the nonpublic schools continue to have to rely on their local public school districts for access to the educational services they are receiving today? So, again the public schools are taking a hit here. Just lastly as I could go on. Legislators, please support your local school districts, local families, local students, and local AEAs where you live. Communities thrive when they have access to the resources they need to live a productive life. Support the dreams and goals of young Iowans no matter if they have special education services or not so they will stay here after graduation and become positive contributing members of our society. I know that is what every individual education plan team tries hard to do for our special education kids and my own three kids deserve a topnotch general education setting so please do not take that away from them as we reside and attend a rural school district. Thank you for your time.

01-30-2024

Joe Rich [School counselor]

So many people on here have already explained why this bill will hurt kids and hamper the ability of school districts to provide quality support to students. I can't add much more than has already been expressed. Without even reading the bill, you should see some big red flags. The first one being the speed at which the governor is attempting to push this through. If this was a good bill there would be no harm in taking time to examine it and debate instead of using high pressure tactics to sell this before people have time to look under the hood. The second red flag is that private companies are already swarming to fill the gaps that will be left after these cuts. They see that there will definitely be gaps in service and they can definitely turn a profit at the expense of school districts. I do believe that there is room to restructure the AEA. I believe that restructuring it the right way would be beneficial and may be overdue. But do it with proper consideration. Get input from school districts and parents. Understand the impact of services before making extreme cuts. Slow down. If you think this is a good idea today, it will still be a good idea tomorrow. But acting this quickly and radically can't be undone, and the feedback you're receiving should tell you how critical these services are.

01-30-2024

Brea Baxter []

For our Iowa children, I urge you to vote no for this bill. Iowa AEAs provide invaluable resources for all children across our state. As our elected officials, please listen to your constituents by slowing down and voting no.

01-30-2024

Nancy Lindgren []

I am writing in opposition to the current HSB542/SSB 3073. As a lifelong republican, a female farmer, and a taxpayer in the State of Iowa residing in a small rural school district, I find this bill very disturbing and I cannot see how this "pencils out" for small rural school districts to make sure that ALL students receive a fair and equal education in the State of Iowa. The AEA provides services that small rural schools districts cannot afford to provide without breaking their budget. There is no way that a small rural school can provide a speechlanguage pathologist, school psychologist, literacy and math consultants as well as teachers of low incident disabilities like the teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing, in addition the print and media materials that are sent to the schools each week and used by our overworked educators! I believe that the data that Governor Reynolds has been promoting has been proven to be inaccurate at best and has been shown to not reflect what is actually happening in the State of Iowa. If the AEAs are restructured in the way that Governor Reynolds is proposing local controls ends and the control is given to Des Moines, which is TWO HOURS from where my rural district is located. How will the people in Des Moines make it to my district if there is a Crisis, like the tragedy that recently happened in Perry? I feel that the Department of Education has been stripped to bare bones as it is, I am unclear how they will be able to be effective partners with over 300 public and accredited non public schools in the state.AEA's save Iowa School Districts and Iowa tax payers millions of dollars. The AEAs provide an economy of scale to the smaller rural district in Iowa and allow, in addition to help them, provide quality education to ALL students.Please listen to the people of Iowa who have reached out to you! Do NOT hurt Iowa students! DO NOT pass this bill and leave the AEAs intact to continue to provide their excellent support of our school districts.

01-30-2024

Rachel Henning []

I strongly oppose the bills in the House and Senate that would destroy Iowa's AEAs and cause lasting harm to our education system. As someone born and raised in Iowa, who benefited from an education system that included AEAs, I ask those on the committee and in our state government to vote "NO!"

01-30-2024

Bronson Dullin []

I do not believe in this bill nor do I think it would be beneficial for public education. For the extent of her career, my wife has worked for the AEA and has been focused on promoting positive outcomes for all of the students, educators, and school communities she serves. If this bill passes, my wife's services will be cut, which would be an enormous disservice to students and public education as a whole.In addition to this bill negatively impacting my family and public education, I also wanted to share how beneficial AEA services were to me when I grew up. I attended public school in rural Iowa for my entire educational career, and reading and writing did not come very easily to me. My teachers, with great support from AEA employees, collaborated regularly to ensure I got what I needed to succeed in school and in life. If not for the professional learning, coaching, and collaboration opportunities offered by the AEA to my school, I do not know where I would be today. This is why I am deeply saddened by the proposal of this bill it makes me worry for the thousands of kids like me who will be deeply affected by the dismantling of Iowa's AEA system.I am rooting for the AEAs and for public education in Iowa. Have a nice day!

01-30-2024

Brian Bruening []

The AEA is a vital part of our rural community. They provide education for both students and teachers, as well a economic boost for our little town. AEA support allows our rural schools to have state of the art technology that our students need to understand to be successful that would be a huge loss. AEAs allow our small rural school provide the same high level of education that students in large communities enjoy. Destroying AEAs would have a resounding negative impact on rural schools and small towns.

01-30-2024

Kailyn Wasielewski []

As a speechlanguage pathologist with the AEA, I have a very important role in direct special education services. However, I could not do my job without the additional services offered by the AEA. As a speechlanguage pathologist, I work with students to address different aspects of communication, such as speech sounds, understanding of language, expressing language, participation in the classroom, and so much more. However, I could not be as successful as I am, or provide students with the interventions and services they need and deserve without the help of the AEA members considered in the "nondirect services" that are impacted by this proposal. With the help of the media/tech services, I have access to evidencebased interventions and activities that allow me to provide toptier services that every student deserves. I have access to the creation of materials that I need to ensure success and meet the needs of all of my students, which I would not have without access to the media/tech services. With the help of educational services, I have been able to meet the needs of all of my students. The various consultants have so much knowledge about how to ensure the success of our learners, including how they learn and how it might be different from how other students learn, how to keep students engaged and facilitate learning and so many other things that are in their realm of expertise that I would not know of otherwise. The professional development sessions help not only educators but also people who provide direct special education services, to continue learning and building their knowledge. Without this option, we risk neglecting student needs by not knowing and understanding the latest research, how to ensure success in learners with complex needs, what to do in situations that we don't have a lot of knowledge in, and other pieces vital to student success. Members of the AEA care so much about students and will do anything to ensure their success. Yes, I work directly with special education. However, I could not do it without the behindthescenes work that the educational and media/tech services do. I do not think that students will be as successful without the expertise of an Autism/Special Education/Reading/Etc consultant, without the evidencebased materials provided by the Media Center, and without the continuing education seminars so that educators can continue building their knowledge base with an everchanging world and system, and the list goes on. As a member of the community and as a person who works in special education, I ask you to please take a deeper look into the services the AEA provides and the necessity of each role of the AEA in student's needs and consider the negative implications that House Study Bill 542 and Senate Study Bill 3073, specifically addressing the AEAs, has on the success of all learners.

01-30-2024

Andrea Thompson []

Please protect our AEA partners in education. Our family has benefited from speech services and the homeschool assistance program with our local AEA, it is upsetting to consider that other families might be denied access to these comprehensive services and support. The Iowa Department of Education website states "AEAs offer the kinds of services that can be most efficiently and economically provided on a regional or cooperative basis among school districts. The Iowa system is widely regarded as one of the foremost regional service systems in the country." Please prioritize students and families, we need our AEA partners in education.

01-30-2024

Stephanie Lane []

Please protect our AEAs. Our schools, students and teachers need them especially in our rural communities! Take the time to evaluate the AEA services and determine where improvements can be made before dismantling a system that IS working! Fully understand the devastating impact this bill will have to our educators, students, schools, and communities in Iowa!

01-30-2024

Morgan Weigel []

As someone who has dedicated their career to promoting positive outcomes for children and educators in Iowa, I am in strong opposition to House Study Bill 542. In my work as a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Consultant with the AEA, I spend my time training and coaching building and district leadership teams in the implementation of an evidencebased, tiered framework for supporting students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. The proposed bill suggests that AEAs should focus solely on special education. The work that I do supports not only students who receive special education services and supports, but ALL students. It prevents the need for more intensive behavior support for many students because of our proactive, preventative approach. I previously worked as a School Psychologist, and my primary focus was special education; however, what I learned over time is that changing the whole system by focusing first and foremost on universal instruction is what is required to meet ALL students' behavioral needs. An overwhelming majority of the school districts within our AEA choose to utilize the services my team members and I provide because they understand the undeniable outcomes associated with creating positive, predictable, equitable, and safe learning environments in their buildings, for both students and staff alike. If House Study Bill 542 passes asis and the educational services we provide get cut, it will be truly detrimental to these students, educators, and school communities, especially those in our rural districts, as they may not have the resources available to replicate this kind of training, coaching, and support. In the wake of the absolute tragedy that occurred in Perry, we need now more than ever to focus on prevention, as well as on helping all students feel welcome and safe at school. Please protect our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Kayla Lueth []

This is a blunt attempt at further privatizing public education. This plan wasnt even written by Iowans! It was developed by an out of state consulting firm. Weve already routed public dollars to private schools through the school voucher program a majority of vouchers (TWO THIRDS) of which were used for students who already accessed private education. Now this is a direct attempt to further dismantle public education. The next step will be to criticize the public education system after being drastically underfunded for years and AEA support being slashed. Is this bill really about special education test scores? What in this bill addresses improving student outcomes? How is this timeframe even feasible? How is shifting control to the DE going to benefit students? Never mind the fact that this department within the DE hasnt even been created or accredited yet. This is an attempt to widen the gap between the have and the havenots. Furthermore, this legislation will harm rural schools significantly more than large districts that have a larger budget. All school districts have access to many highquality services and opportunities from AEAs. No school district lacks vital services because they cannot afford them or those services are unavailable in their area. AEAs supply them. Changing this service means unequal access for schools across the state. Every child is entitled to equal access to robust learning experiences regardless of their ZIP code.Iowa needs strong public schools and a strong AEA system. This bill, if passed, will negatively affect the education of generations of Iowa students. No one wants this. Iowans didnt draft this bill, nor have I spoken to or seen a single individual that supports it. VOTE NO.

01-30-2024

Kim Baldwin []

As the parent of a special needs student I am scared of what our educational system will look like without our local AEA. I struggled to get what my daughter needed in school for multiple years. Finally I got the help of a Family Education Partner (FEP) from our local AEA. This person was able to finally get our school to start an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) assessment. I had requested this for over a year, being told "we have to see if she qualifies". When my daughter was suspended from school the AEA was able to show how my daughter struggled in school. We went to the Department of Education to get assistance and got nothing. If it weren't for our AEA FEP person I don't know where my daughter would be right now. I just learned that the FEP program is being eliminated, this is such a gut punch to families. This program through the AEA is the bridge families need to get the help they need and can't get at the school level. The AEA system provides so many valuable things to our families, teachers and school districts. Why are we taking such a vital part of our educational system back 50 years. Our state has never been a "fee for service" educational system why are we doing this now when our schools are already struggling. Please vote NO to this bill and show that IOWA cares more about our kids education. Thank You

01-30-2024

Kim Baldwin []

01-30-2024

Tara McGrath []

I beg you to protect our AEA system. The AEA serves all students as all students are general education students. They support our teachers and school districts. By eliminating any of their services will reduce student achievements by not giving them the experiences they need to grow up and be a productive member of society. I have to ask how is this bill increasing student achievement by taking away support? Please support our AEAs. Remove the teacher salary part and put it as a separate bill.

01-30-2024

Carol Haupert []

I taught in an Iowa public school for 13 years. The AEAs provided critical services to the students and staff of my district. (Due to shortages of trained personnel and insufficient PK12 funding) Assistance with special education services and delivery and providing critical assistance in trauma situations such as the murder of Nohema Graber in Fairfield and the recent deaths in Perry are but two examples of current critical services that many Iowa districts will simply not have access to if this legislation is passed. Please protect our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Kim Burrack []

Please reject House Study Bill 542. Area Education Agencies are vital to Iowa's school district staff, students, and families. I directly benefitted from the services of an AEA as a parent, teacher, and school administrator. This bill does not support Iowa's schools or student achievement.

01-30-2024

Ben Lueth []

I urge you to vote NO on this bill as it does not serve any purpose except to further strip away the support and resources for the Iowa Education System. This bill wasnt even written by Iowans, it was written by an outofstate consulting company with no experience with the Iowa AEA system and how it helps all students. How can this bill be a benefit to Iowans if weve had no say in what it is? This bill will take away services from rural and small schools who will not have the resources to replace them, leading to worse outcomes for all. This bill consolidates power into the DoE, therefore NOT giving better control at the local level like the Governor would like everyone to believe. This bill is being pushed through at lightspeed without taking any time to do a study or even consider the short and long term consequences of everything it proposes to do. It WILL lead to poorer outcomes for all students, it WILL take resources from the small and rural schools, and it WILL lead to the further degradation of Iowas once great public education system. I urge you to VOTE NO on this bill and keep Iowas schools the best they can be.

01-30-2024

Mindy Collins []

Please vote SSB 3073 down. Protect our Area Education Agencies and listen to what Iowans are saying. This bill brings no effective solutions to better the services currently in place. This bill removes local seamless and timely services while creating barriers and inefficiencies in delivery. Please encourage a comprehensive review of the AEAs to gain a better understanding of the work being done and services being used. Speak to all stakeholders who utilize services and hear their stories. Go out and experience the great work being done in Iowa schools. You then can make an informed decision on how to proceed. Once you do these things you will have a clear understanding of why this bill has caused your email inboxes to be flooded and your legislative forums to be packed with opposition. Please take time to comprehend the devastating consequences this will have on all the people of Iowa for so many years to come. Thank you

01-30-2024

Aimee Hospodarsky []

As a parent and an educator, I stand firmly with others opposed to this bill. AEAs ensure that all students, regardless of location or background, have access to quality educational experiences and resources. This applies to urban, rural and schools in between AEAs serve them all. While there is room for improvement within any system, this bill is the equivalent of throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Furthermore, the haste with which this bill seems to be moving, coupled with the seeming lack of response to the overwhelming opposition, is deeply concerning. Please listen, slow down, and enlist Iowa stakeholders to study options.

01-30-2024

Nancy Cross []

I am very concerned with the way our state is looking at the,AEA being changed. I know it started out to help the disadvantaged but it has added some excellent areas for prevention , correcting, and helping the classroom teachers successfully help ALL the students. We as people are made up of many areas not just mental or physically. I have seen some of our 4.0 students need help. One now I know of is a superior student but is receiving speech work. Which will help him forever. No place else can he receive it at this cost and convince with trained staff. My nephews parents were told he would never talk. He had help and is now even running his own business and works with the public. If you want call and I can tell you about more. I have not heard anything added thar would help our Children like the AHE does at the cost. The testing was done on how many of them 3% or less and by what out if state company. Some of the facts aren't true that have been published. Please think again about changes that are being suggested. We want to stay at the top of educating ALL our children

01-30-2024

Barbra Wheeler []

I adamantly oppose this bill in all forms. This bill is a savage attack on the teachers, children and families in our state. From the very inception of what was the Governors proposal Terrace Hill has put out disinformation. There is not a person who thinks reviews are a bad thing. What is bad and immoral is when an agenda is put ahead of what is right with skewed facts. I am so grateful for those of you have listened and shared comments. To those of you who act in favor of the needs of children and teachers in Iowa by supporting all that the AEAs do, I am grateful. This will not be forgotten.For those of you that are not listening, now is the time. I implore you to challenge how this process began and how suddenly AEAs are failing when 3 months ago she was bragging about AEAs services being foremost. Seek true data and statistics. If this bill passes, the citizens of Iowa who en masse have raised their voices in opposition will not, cannot, have faith in our elected officials. This, as well, will not be forgotten.

01-30-2024

Hilary Kastner []

Please vote NO and give Iowa families what they so desperately need and deserve. AEA services are needed by all families in all schools! No students needs should go unnoticed and unaddressed. Our public schools in Iowa have already been stripped of so much.. when will it end? Governor Reynolds is out of touch with young families and the students of our state. Please stand up to this bill and vote NO!

01-30-2024

Kate Mitchell [Norwalk school district ]

Please vote no. As a teacher in the Norwalk community school district and a citizen and parent in the Ankeny school district this decision will have a major impact on my life, my family, my students, and their families. The AEA is a crucial, unbiased organization rooted in research and best practice that provides our schools with support for our students in all realms of learning. There was a time when Iowa schools were admired for our high quality and cutting edge education. The unseen heroes that helped create that high quality were the area education agencies. Our public schools have taken hit after hit the past few years with lack of funding, lack of support for teachers and staff, and lack of support for students of all diversities. All of those things were underhanded attempts at gutting public education. But with this threat to area education agencies, the threat is no longer underhanded. The attack on AEAs is a clear and blatant attempt to destroy public education. Our children deserve better. Please do right by our children and our schools. Don't touch our area education agencies.

01-30-2024

Doug Mraz []

I ask that you please stop this bill. It does not address how it helps improve outcomes and will hurt children, schools, and Iowa communities. If changes are needed, it needs to occur with the people in the schools and the AEA system. AEA's are not broken!

01-30-2024

Sarah Loots []

Please vote no on this bill! The proposed bill and amendments do not address how to close the achievement gap or impact student performance. AEA support is critical for teachers, administrators, parents and students, changing this support means unequal access across Iowa.

01-30-2024

Ronda Reid []

The facts are the facts in this situation and there is no way to change what is reality.These facts Include: All the reasons given in both the original and amended bill have been fact checked and data has been provided with the real facts. The amendment really made no changes, use word smithing to make it appear there was movement. There are contradiction in statements made in the amendment so what is the truth and what is just words? The Department of Education does not have the ability to be feet on the ground or assist throughout the state on a daily basis. The bill was written by a for profit company who nothing about the state or the education system. Services of the AEA's al who were just reviewed and received high marks are vital in the day to day partnerships in schools. AEA's and stakeholders are willing to have discussion to work on continued improvement with all involved. There is no plan by the DOE to replace what is working, especially in just a few months. There is bipartisan support across political lines in the public. There is overwhelming outcries to stop this process from through out the state by the citizens of the government of the people, by and people and for the people. Local control is being lost despite the words we are building more big government in Des Moines. MOST IMPORTANT ALL STUDENTS WILL SUFFER WITH THIS BILL.We may never know the real reasons behind what the Governor has proposed, there is speculation, but to be honest if the right choices are made for the children of the state it will not matter. Take the politic out of this please and listen to those that have elected you and support the children of this state. Do not let your position be part of the legacy of failure that our student will suffer if this bill passes.

01-30-2024

Keith Halverson []

Please PROTECT OUR AEAs! This bill is not about helping or protecting the students and educators of Iowa, it's a punishment against them. There is no way education improves as a result of this bill. Iowa students and educators will suffer irreparable harm if this bill proceeds. Let's bring all stakeholders to the table and discover a way to move forward and grow. Out of state interests should not be involved in deciding our future. Please vote no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Brandi Fadiga []

I have been an AEA employee for 15 years now across three different agencies in the state of Iowa. I have been lucky enough to walk the difficult journey with hundreds of thousands of families who have needed our services and support. Some of these families do not have other private services and supports that they can rely on. How are we to expect timely services for our learners if our direct service providers are contracted out privately?? I collaborate with many private therapists within my local area and they do NOT have the capacity to see more children than they are already seeing. Waitlists for services are around six months, which is substantial given that children that we serve in Early Access are under the age of three. The AEA allows for timely services which is essential for not only the students, but those who are helping them to learn and grow. The real world does not have a pause button. Our schools, families, children, etc. need our services NOW. They do not have back up plans. And they will not be able to hire and implement a completely new model within the time frame designated by the Governor.

01-30-2024

Hillory Jaco []

I want to voice the strongest possible opposition to SSB 3073.These proposed changes would be harmful to students and families, harmful to educators, and expensive for school districts.This is especially true for students and families in smaller, commonly rural districts, which rely on the AEAs for the equitable and affordable provision of special education, general education, and media services.Neither the Department of Education, nor the private sector, nor anyone else is prepared to replicate much less improve on the AEAs services.Not one piece of this legislation offers anything specific that will improve outcomes for students in Iowa.The AEAs require their current shared funding and services model to remain intact, in order to continue to provide equitable services for all Iowans.Reject this legislation immediately. Stand up for what is right for kids, families, educators and all Iowa citizens.

01-30-2024

Sharon Carr []

Please slow this process down and demand a comprehensive review of the services provided by each AEA before considering SSB 3073. Evaluate the latest, pertinent, and precise data, procedures, and information obtained from various sources. Conduct interviews with individuals at AEAs and school districts who have firsthand knowledge of the AEA services, and make observations of the current processes and structures in operation at the student level.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Reese []

I just learned about the proposed amendment to House Study Bill 542, and Im quite frankly almost sick to my stomach over how bad it is. I have heard that legislators have received feedback from a lot of people overwhelmingly not in favor of the bill, yet the proposed amendment does not do much to remedy the tragedy that this bill is. It removes too much control from schools and school boards and gives too much to the DE, specifically the director of the DE. How can one person know what is best for all schools across the state? It would make it hard for schools to access services, if they even can access them, and restricts funding for them to be able to access the services. I have not spoken with a single teacher, school administrator, school board member, parent, grandparent, or community member in favor of these changes. I do not begin to imagine I know what your job is like (although I do appreciate you doing it). I would imagine you do not have an understanding of my job and the support I provide to schools, support schools have told me over the years that they greatly appreciate and have told me even more so lately that they continue to appreciate and dont want to be without. In an effort to help you maybe understand, here was my last week working as an AEA special education consultant in local schools:Collaborated with 11 special education teachersParticipated in professional learning offered by an AEA reading consultantCollaborated with multiple general education teachers about their students who also have special education needs but are in their classrooms the majority of the dayCollaborated with multiple general education teachers about students not on IEPsPlanned an upcoming meeting with an AEA occupational therapist (OT) and multiple school staffAttended 3 IEP meetingsCollected data in preparation for upcoming reevaluations of students IEP servicesActed a sounding board for 3 school administratorsPlanned with a parent and school to support the transfer of 2 students with IEPs who are changing foster homesDiscussed with a school administrator and an AEA administrator how the AEA can best support the district while their special education director is out on leave (Note: Its also their superintendent, and the AEA is already helping with that role)Helped two teachers with IEP paperworkBegan drafting four reevaluation reports for studentsYou may notice that there are quite a few things I did with school staff but also with AEA staff. I have had multiple school staff ask if they will be able to have my support next year. I shrug, telling them that I dont know whats to come in the world of special education with the AEA but add that I dont do my job in a bubble. AEA staff work as a team supporting each other in supporting schools. Do we do it perfectly? Maybe not, but tearing apart the AEAs is not the answer. There were reasons the system was created 50 years ago. It is highly unlikely too many school staff or legislators even know schools prior to the creation of the AEAs. If legislators want to make changes to the AEAs, I hope you would consider involving us in the discussion.

01-30-2024

Brian Weiner []

As a father to two children who receive early access services through the AEAs, I ask you to vote NO on SSB 3073 to ensure that the AEAs are able to remain functioning and providing these valuable services. From hearing screenings to physical therapy to home visits, AEAs are much more than just special education.

01-30-2024

Kandace Wittry-Kern [Central Rivers AEA ]

I am in a unique position to advocate for our AEAs both as a former recipient of AEA services AND a current employee of Central Rivers AEA.When I was two years old, I fell off a bunk bed and suffered a stroke as a result of my injuries. With limited medical capability at the time, doctors were not optimistic about my chances for recovery. Despite this dire prediction, I eventually returned home to my family from the hospital. Unfortunately, the lasting effects from the stroke were very significant. Among many challenges, the right side of my body was paralyzed and I was unable to talk. I had difficulty walking without an assistive device and could no longer lift my right arm or hold items with my right hand. My parents were at a loss regarding what to expect for my future or how to help me do basic everyday activities like getting dressed, using silverware, walking up and down stairs, or even communicating my basic wants and needs! Then in 1974, a program called Getting Ready was established in our area. (This was a precursor to what we know as Early Access, a program within the AEAs serving children and families birth to 5 years of age.) This was a godsend for my family. A team of highly educated professionals came to our house on a regular basis. After assessing my struggles and determining family priorities, a plan was put in place to help me overcome my physical challenges and master skills I would need for a lifetime. Through the dedication of this team, which included Early Childhood teachers, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Physical and Occupational Therapists, I not only met their expectations, I thrived and exceeded all my goals. I learned to walk independently using an orthotic device, I found my voice, and learned how to adapt to using one hand in a two handed world. When I entered school, the AEA continued to follow my progress by giving me access to tools that would enable me to participate in the classroom just like my peers. Through the hard work and dedication of my play friends and AEA staff, I had gained valuable foundational skills that have carried me through life. While I still have physical limitations and face challenges every day, I have resilience and tenacity to handle these challenges head on. And I credit the Early Access and AEA teams for believing in and challenging me to be the best version of myself, instead of expecting very little from a child with a disability. In fact, I was so inspired by what they did for me over 50 years ago that I became an occupational therapist myself.I have been a proud employee of Central Rivers AEA for 18 years. Think of this as a success story for the AEA systems. It has been my desire to give back to those that inspired me by paying it forward. Through my life experience, I have valuable insights and skills that can help students, families and teachers gain knowledge and skills needed to help all students meet their educational needs. My mission has been and still is to inspire, encourage, educate, and advocate for students, families, and teachers within the districts I serve. Whether it is through my direct work within the AEA system, or living my best life as a productive member of society who happens to have a disability, I wish to instill those valuable skills I learned and be a positive influence on those around me. With the proposed changes to our AEA system, I am afraid that there will be many students, families and teachers that will not receive the services they need and students may fall through the cracks. I respectfully ask that you please consider the impact this change will have on the future of our students AND SUPPORT OUR AEAs!With Respect,Kandy WittryKern

01-30-2024

Kaylan Hobbs []

Please vote NO on HSB 542. I support Iowas AEAs and the work they do for Iowas schools and ALL students. The services and resources are too valuable to have this system dismantled. Take the time to study our AEAs and make educated decisions about these changes. Iowa needs its AEAs. Please listen to your constituents and VOTE NO.

01-30-2024

Robert Bassler []

Hello!My name is Robert Bassler and I am 68 years old. This is the first time in my life that I have been moved to write to my representative for help so I hope you understand how important this issue is to me.I grew up in a family of 12. One of my younger brothers, Dave, had a terrible stutter as a child. He attended a small rural school in Iowa where he received Speech and Language services provided by the local AEA. Because of this, I know firsthand what a huge impact those services had on his life. Learning to overcome his speech impediment changed his life!It is my understanding that Governor Reynolds plans to close all the AEAs in the state. I implore you to please vote against this legislation! Our children need and deserve the chance to continue to receive these services.Our very own grandson had speech issues as a toddler. He was referred to our local AEA who immediately sent a SLP to his home evaluate him. The SLP tested him and, thankfully, determined that he did not need ongoing services but instead provided our son and his wife with vocal exercises they could do with him to help improve his speech. The guidance provided by this SLP was life changing for my grandson and I am thankful to report that he speaks normally today because of it.In our case, we were lucky because our grandson didnt have a serious speech impediment but thousands of students do! The AEA provides the structure that enables those children to get services that will help them for the rest of their lives! Please dont take that away!We all know that, if left up to the individual schools especially the rural schools who are struggling financially these services will be greatly reduced and the children will be the helpless victims whose lives will suffer!But you have the ability to save our AEAs and thus allow our children (our future) to continue to receive these life changing and essential services/resources. I implore you to take a stand on this issue and help the children in our state get the help they so desperately need and deserve. I am counting on you to do the right thing and vote against closing IOWA AEAs!As you know, SLP services are just one branch of services provided by AEAs. There are so many other important services these agencies provide to our state! Please protect Iowa's AEAs and the many services it provides to Iowa students.If you would like to speak to me personally about this, please feel free to call me at 5633206112 or email me at rjcbazzyahoo.com. Thank you for your serious consideration of this important request!

01-30-2024

Jo Pearson []

Based on Governor Reynolds' proposed approach this month to revamping the AEAs, I suspect that she, like me, did not know much about them prior to her Condition of the State address; I won't be surprised to learn this is true of legislators as well. I trust you've gotten great input from your constituents since she first announced her proposed changes and that you are learning how vital the AEAs are to students and to education in our state! Governor Reynolds has suggested that Iowa doesn't need nine AEAs, that Iowa "is a small state." I hope you will look at the data about how many students are supported by EACH of the NINE AEAs. They are not "small" numbers. As you all profess to want the best for Iowa students, I must suggest that being a "small state" doesn't mean we should short change our students. Just the opposite! Large school districts may be able to share more resources or purchase, rent, or contract equipment and agencies among the buildings. Small school districts, which make up most of the schools in Iowa, may not have these options. AEAs help level the playing field for all our schools and students.Finally, you've talked about the AEAs having gotten topheavy. But this is not so as I hope you have discovered! AEAs follow the IA Code, which does not allow them to spend more than 5% of their total expenditures on administrative compensation. The percentage of administrative total spending in all of Iowas nine AEAs for all administrators is lower than the 5% limit.Please protect Iowa's AEAs and the wonderful services they provide to students, schools, and parents in every single one of Iowa's 99 counties!

01-30-2024

Janet Freihoefer []

Please vote no on this bill or at the very least slow down and learn what the AEAs do for schools and the children and families they serve. As a teacher for 36 years, I have relied on AEAs for professional development, student services, school improvement plans, resources to enhance student learning and so much more! We need our AEAs now more than ever in this changing world.

01-30-2024

Kristin Morales []

Please vote NO to SSB 3073. The AEA is designed to provide equitable, efficient, and effective services. This bill as written will compromise the quality and efficiency of services by the AEA. Additionally, the bill removes services such as media and does not provide districts the ability to financially support these services. Students have a right to a better education than what this bill is proposing.

01-30-2024

Betty Stiefel []

I worked for Grant Wood AEA for 38 years as a speech/language pathologist (SLPs). I'd like to tell one story that illustrates the power of AEAs.It's impossible for SLPs to stay current re: the best assessment and treatment for the wide variety of students whom we meet. GWAEA created several teams for us to call on when we need current information about rare situations. One such team is for Assistive and Augmentative Communication.One Early Access student with cerebral palsy was unable to speak. The AAC team provided information about a strategically organized book of pictures. The student learned how to point to pictures in order to share her thoughts. Her parents weren't sold on the idea until one night their daughter pointed to a picture of underwear. She was making a joke. Bathroom humor is fun for little ones. This student would never have been able to share a joke, let alone many other thoughts , without the aid of Grant Wood's AAC team.If special education services become piecemeal across the state, it will become much more difficult to form powerful teams such as this one.Please consider leaving the AEAs intact. And the strategically organized book of pictures? That came from Grant Wood's media division. Those pictures gave my student a voice.Betty StiefelVictor IA

01-30-2024

Julie Thomas []

I oppose this bill as it is written. As a public educator for nearly 30 years, I believe strongly in a system of supports for ALL. This bill is potentially damaging to children, youth, families, teachers, school leaders, and communities. How can supports be provided when an entire infrastructure is dismantled with no clearly articulated plan to be put in its place? Please take the time to listen and talk with those who have the most at stake and who have the most knowledge to help determine a strong path moving forward that supports Iowas education system.

01-30-2024

Rachel S []

Please do the right thing and follow the truth, not the stories that are being woven to paint untruths. There is plenty of documentation to support what the truth is and what this is really about. Support the people you represent and most important the children of this state. Stop this bill before it is too late.

01-30-2024

Rebecca Brandau []

I am urging you to please vote NO to SSB 3073. Governor Reynolds has not demonstrated there is a problem to be fixed with the AEAs nor that the proposed solution will fix this alleged problem. She has engaged in a blatant misuse of data and a broad misunderstanding of the services the AEAs provide and how they impact all students, including those with disabilities. She has not shown an understanding of special education services. (For example, when students receiving special education services are performing similarly to typical peers and no longer have unique needs, those students are dismissed from special education. Therefore, students in special education should not be expected to score similarly to typical peers.) Contradicting the Governor's statements, the AEAs have been praised for their efficient regional support model. Iowans, including myself, have remained in Iowa because of our robust education system, including the AEAs. This bill is not good for our children, and its not good for Iowa.It is time to call this bill what it is: a consolidation of power. The revised bill repeatedly notes that schools can have the services they ask for from the AEA with permission from the Department of Education. This takes power away from local districts and regions and places it with one department, overseen by one individual who has no experience with education in Iowa. This goes against the principles of democracy and the very concept of local and parent control.The AEAs are not a system that should be scrapped in favor of governmental oversight. If there are true concerns about education in Iowa, a current and comprehensive review of the AEAs and the Department of Education should occur. This should include members of both political parties and stakeholders. A multitude of data sources should be considered. A review of the funding cuts to public education should occur. We need to analyze how to improve education in an efficient and effective way. For example, many schools currently cannot fill all the educator positions they have open. It is particularly difficult to fill special education positions. Iowa should be investing more in teacher training and retention across the state. The state of Iowa needs to start supporting what they claim to value and stop chasing expensive reforms without quality data or public backing.

01-30-2024

Mindy Reimer []

I must convey my many apprehensions regarding SSB3073. While we collectively acknowledge the need for reform to improve special education outcomes, the amended solution falls short and is marked by hastily established timelines, offers a strong hold transfer of local decisionmaking authority, and establishes an introduction of a feeforservice model. These elements outlined in the amended bill raise considerable concerns that must be addressed.The urgency attached to recently amended SSB3073 is alarming, particularly when contemplating the significant impact it could have on Iowa's educational system. Hastily made decisions often result in unintended repercussions, and the current timeline for this bill does not allow for a comprehensive examination of diverse perspectives or an opportunity to effectively implement the proposed changes. We can all agree that prioritizing the wellbeing of Iowa students is paramount in any reform initiative. I strongly encourage legislators to decelerate the process, extending the timeline for a thorough study to understand of all aspects of AEA services, including Special Education, Media, and Educational Services. This extended timeframe will ensure sufficient opportunity for a well informed and viable resolution.Additionally the amended SSB3073 strongly indicates paramount shifts of all authority for local decisionmaking to the Director of the Department of Education. This represents a notable deviation from our founding principles of local governance. Communities at the local level possess an understanding of the specific needs and challenges faced by their schools. A concentration of authority and a centralized decisionmaking approach will inadequately and effectively meet needs. It is imperative to acknowledge and safeguard the autonomy of local control held by our education authorities. My concerns continue with the recent amendments to SSB3073 as it promotes an adoption of a feeforservice model for special education and educational services. Additionally, this bill removes previously allocated media funds and requires schools to figure out how to pay for the media services they have used and valued. This model of service will exacerbate existing inequities among districts and schools, as those with fewer resources will struggle to meet the financial demands associated with providing adequate services they have relied upon and been accustomed to using to support learner outcomes. Our current funding mechanisms for these services has ensured that all districts and accredited nonpublic schools, regardless of their financial standing, have access to highquality services at a very low cost to the taxpayer. Finally, after my examination of the revised SSB3073, our most pressing concern revolves around the absence of a clear and comprehensive strategy to improve special education outcomes. The Governor's bill has strongly expressed the intention to control, reduce and reform AEAs services however it falls short with addressing the challenges confronted by special education programs. As lawmakers, I strongly urge you all to continue to actively engage with your constituents, educators, special education professionals, policymakers, and our community of dedicated AEA professionals to devise a solution that genuinely tackles the underlying concerns at hand.There is appreciation for your commitment to addressing educational concerns in our state. However, this bill is a misguided approach to reform. Carefully evaluate the potential consequences of this bill. We must work collaboratively to develop a solution that genuinely enhances the quality of education, especially for students with special needs. Your integrity and leadership is needed. Your constituents' votes have afforded you great respect and trust. You all have heard from your constituents in which you serve, and the stories of those who have benefited from AEA services which have positively changed lives. We believe you are up to doing what is right and I fully support any opposition to this bill. Thank you for your service.

01-30-2024

Jayne Parsons []

I am a recently retired special education teacher who for 38 years used AEA services. I know the importance and difference that comes from the resources and individuals that are part of a vital team. Despite the changing of words and flowery discussions it is in no way about serving students. The system that is now in place does that. This is about power and who knows what else, but not the future of this state, the children. Do not be fooled of blindly follow for political reasons. Listen to the will of the people who elected, stand up and do what is right.Stop this bill!!

01-30-2024

Lyndi Flugum-Collins []

Vote no on this bill. The solution to improving outcomes for students is better pay and working conditions to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers (including smaller class sizes), not dismantling or radically altering parts of their support system without thorough consideration. Centralizing control with the DE Director is not going to grant more local control, no matter how the supporters try to spin it. The onus for so many things will fall back into the hands of the already overworked district teachers and administrators. AEAs provide vital support for the work districts are legally required to do. Districts will be forced to make difficult budget decisions that will negatively impact students. The current system may not be perfect, but the radical overhaul being proposed will not fix any of the concerns the supporters claim it will. There are better, datainformed ways to improve student success.

01-30-2024

Susannah Maddock []

Why, if students are underperforming, would we ever defund the AEAs? They are the solution, not the problem. AEA staff work tirelessly to support students, teachers and families in Iowa. They are a unique and special resource not available in many states. Getting rid of media, professional development services, and consulting for schools is absolutely the wrong thing for Iowas children and families. Invest wisely and you will see a huge return. Pull the AEAs and education will fall apart from lack of support.

01-30-2024

Kelly Gerhardt []

Please slow down this bill! Where is the data showing dismantling the AEAs will help special education students? There is no such data. The AEAs provide so many necessary services and resources to all students in Iowa. Taking these services away is NOT the way to help special education students or any students. The school districts will not be able to fund the same services that they currently receive from the AEAs with this bill and the reduction of funds for districts.I have worked as a paraeducator and have a daughter who is a teacher, we both have seen the great benefits students and schools receive from the AEAs! The AEAs have specialized staff that care about the students and teachers! This is invaluable and so appreciated. If there are improvements that need to be made, please take the time to look, do a study, involve parents, teachers, principals, superintendents and AEA personnel. The AEAs are a very effective agency that can easily add policies, procedures, or supports if that is what a study shows is needed and they are already set up to deliver supports and services effectively to all schools. Our children deserve the best we can give them. Taking local control away and dismantling the very agency that is giving such wonderful support to students, teachers and schools is not the answer! This bill gives no plan as to how to help the students. Please do what is right for the children of Iowa, they deserve the best, this bill is not the way!Please take teacher salary out of this bill, and vote No!

01-30-2024

Rachelle Reid []

Stand up for what the people who have elected you have requested are asking. Be part of the solution not the problem. Stand up for the students of this state and allow the current system to remain, tell the Governor no and stop this bill. DO THE RIGHT THING!!

01-30-2024

Gary Carr []

Please do not allow Kim Reynolds to BULLY you into voting for SSB 3073. This bill would literally destroy public education in Iowa. Do any of you know the REAL reason that Kim Reynolds SUDDENLY wants to push this bill through AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to dismantle the AEAs? This illadvised cut in services will only make things worse for Special Education and all students in Iowa. I urge you to slow down this process and figure out the BEST way to help all students!

01-30-2024

Mary Ellen Nesbit []

I am a public school teacher in the DSM metro area and the area education agencies are an essential part of public education! As a teacher, I rely on our AEAs to help us facilitate nearly every part of a IEP evaluation, recommending and providing services, and giving us resources. We need AEAs to continue operating as is, without Reynolds proposed changes. Please do not change our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Sarah Fugleberg []

Please oppose SSB3073. AEAs play a crucial role in providing the necessary resources, training, and support to school districts and educators, which, in turn, benefits all students, including those in general education and special education. I urge you to consider the farreaching consequences on the quality of education in Iowa, especially for the students in rural school districts that would not have equitable access to service providers and resources needed without the AEAs.

01-30-2024

Christie Cuttell [Prairie Lakes AEA]

The recent amendment to the Governor's bill is not helpful nor hopeful. This bill does not address student achievement or financial savings. Please consider going about change in a fiscally responsible, well thought out and researched manner. Our children, our disabled children, attending our schools are at risk. Allowing the Media/Printing services to be eliminated will be devastating to the students at the very least. Furthermore, the issue of teacher's salaries is a separate issue of restructuring the AEAs. These two very important issues deserve to be handled in two separate bills. To the elected officials meant to represent a resounding OBJECTION to this bill and its amendment, please do what you were elected to and protect Iowans. There needs to be time committed to making a change to move our children FORWARD in their educations and in their lives.Thank you for your time,Christie M. Cuttell, LISWAEA School Social Worker

01-30-2024

Bethany Vorhies []

How will we ensure Iowa is a state of quality educators without the quality professional development opportunities the AEA provides to all districts? Where will districts get adequate funding to be able to obtain and retain special education staff that is currently through the AEA (psychologists, audiologists, vision teachers, occupational therapists, speech therapists, physical therapists, etc.)?I am a new teacher to Iowa from the state of WI. In WI we do not have AEAs but CESAs which are not nearly as involved with individual districts. I see how both models work, but we cannot change this rapidly and have it be a successful transition. The students of Iowa WILL suffer.

01-30-2024

Michele Pettit []

I agree with the hundreds of comments here, thousands of emails you have received, and hundreds of caring Iowans speaking out all across the state vote no to this destructive and unnecessary bill. This is what we say to children at school "Be brave. Make your own decisions, don't make bad choices because of a bully. Do the right thing and your teachers and families will be proud of you." This is good advice for everyone, including elected representatives.

01-30-2024

DeAnna Graham []

Please demand that this process be slowed down. Why is there such a rush to get SSB 3073 passed?Education for children in Iowa is too important to make hasty, irrational changes. If these changes are made as currently written, it will be impossible to undo and Iowans will live with the impact of this sessions decisions for generations. The Iowa AEA structure has been the envy of the rest of the country for decades.There's already a teacher shortage in the state of Iowa, and now Governor Reynolds wants to add this additional stress to teachers. Last March, House File 255 was passed, which provided a shortcut to Iowas current teacher licensing process. Interestingly enough, House File 255 specifies that an individual who is certified through this new alternative certification program shall not provide instruction to students who are eligible for services under 256B without further training 256B is for students who have an IEP (special education students). Not only are teachers underpaid, but this AEA Reform bill would put substantially more work on our teachers. Raising Teacher salaries won't be enough to keep good teachers, or any teacher for that matter.

01-30-2024

Michelle Vaughan []

Please oppose SSB 3073 and any amendments to this bill. The AEA is vital to the quality of public education and the development of the whole child. Iowa needs all parts of the AEA special ed services, educational services and media/technology services to ensure schools can meet the varied needs of all students. Please take the time to properly evaluate the AEA services before completely gutting them. Bring all stakeholders together, to work together, to strengthen education in Iowa rather than dismantle it.

01-30-2024

Carrie Manternach []

As an instructional leader and practitioner, I strive every day to impact the lives of the teachers I work with, and the students they teach. New teachers, veteran teachers, general education students, and students with IEPs, all drive the work that I do each and every day. It may be a PLC that I attend, a lesson that I model or observe, an IEP goal that I help write and monitor or a professional learning session that I deliver that makes the difference in someones educational journey. The advocacy that has been shown for Iowas Area Education Agencies has been amazing and I implore you to push back against the bills and amendments that are dismantling the incredible work that occurs to support education in the state of Iowa.

01-30-2024

Ellen Bassler []

Hello!My name is Ellen Bassler. I am 66 years old and this is the first time in my life that I have been moved to write to one of my representatives asking for your help so I hope you understand how important this issue is to me!I have worked in Education in one form or another for over 20 years. Ive worked in a variety of schools and with a wide age range of students so I have seen and talked to countless students who have been helped via the services provided by their Iowa AEA.Two students, in particular, come to mind one was born with a serious hearing impairment and the other had a terrible stutter. These two students were teased mercilessly because they were different. But, with the help of Speech/Language Pathologists (SLP) services provided by their Iowa AEA, both of them were able to greatly improve their speaking skills which affected every aspect of their lives. One went on to be a star basketball player. Both attended college one went to a trade school and became a welder. The other went to college and became a teacher. Both are contributing members of society to this day. I cant help but wonder how vastly different their lives would have been had the AEA not provided these services. Both have told me repeatedly how grateful they are that their AEA was there to help.It is my understanding that Governor Reynolds plans to close all the AEAs in the state. I implore you to please vote against this legislation! Our children need and deserve the chance to continue to receive these services.Our very own grandson had speech issues as a toddler. He was referred to our local AEA who immediately sent a SLP to his home evaluate him. The SLP tested him and, thankfully, determined that he did not need ongoing services but instead provided our son and his wife with vocal exercises they could do with him to help improve his speech. The guidance provided by this SLP was life changing for my grandson and I am thankful to report that he speaks normally today because of it.In our case, we were lucky because our grandson didnt have a serious speech impediment but thousands of students do! The AEA provides the structure that enables those children to get services that will help them for the rest of their lives! Please dont take that away!We all know that, if left up to the individual schools especially the rural schools who are struggling financially these services will be greatly reduced and the children will be the helpless victims whose lives will suffer!But you have the ability to save our AEAs and thus allow our children (our future) to continue to receive these life changing and essential services/resources. I implore you to take a stand on this issue and help the children in our state get the help they so desperately need and deserve. I am counting on you to do the right thing and vote against closing IOWA AEAs!As you know, SLP services are just one branch of services provided by AEAs. There are so many other important services these agencies provide to our state! Please vote to protect Iowas AEAs and the important services they provide!If you would like to speak to me personally about this, please feel free to call me at 5633700374 or email me at ebassler2002yahoo.com. Thank you for your serious consideration of this important request!Sincerely,Ellen Bassler1741 Deer Run DriveBurlington, IA 526015633700374

01-30-2024

Lindsey V []

There is no possible way the Iowa Department of Education can ensure a free, appropriate public education (FAPE, a federal mandate) for Iowa's students if this bill passes. Regardless of the misconstrued data and misinformation used to write this bill (and the amendment), Iowa's parents, teachers, and administrators don't want it. Listen to your constituents; collaborate for Iowa's future and all of its learners. Don't decimate a system that is equitable and efficient because of a report written by a private company that doesn't know how Iowa's AEA system actually works. Please don't take Iowa's education system back 50 years!

01-30-2024

Vanessa Huber []

All current AEA services are vital to our school system professional development for our teachers, services for students with additional needs, print services to help student gets materials they need and to reduce the cost for schools, etc. Districts are already struggling to find quality special education teachers and without the support of AEA and their valuable services, this number will only increase. Its time we start putting our youth, their education, and their needs first. This is a step in the wrong direction and will negatively impact our youth and future.

01-30-2024

John Zimmerman [Registered Republican]

I am writing today as a registered republican, father of two boys still in school, and as an educator. The governor of the state of Iowa wants to see our public schools fail. If HSB 542 or the amended bill, SSB 3073 were to pass, the future of education in our state will rapidly deteriorate. The attacks on the AEA system are unfair, untrue, and have already done damage to an amazing workforce of highly trained and intelligent people. They work hard every day carrying out services that our districts ask them to do, they do the work that the Department of Education asks them to do, and they work alongside parents. They provide unmatched services to students, teachers, and administrators every day in every district in our state. The efficiencies and cost savings that each AEA is able to provide should be a model for businesses to learn from.Giving absolute control of our statewide education system to the director of education is one of the worst parts of the bill. The Department of Education is already understaffed and unable to perform their daily functions. 133 times the amended portion of the bill calls for all education related control to be given to the director. How is this oversight better than elected officials that serve on a governing board? This transfer of power is outrageous and uncalled for. Please ask your districts if they think this is a good idea. They will tell you it is not possible.All of Iowa will be in serious trouble should this bill or a version of this bill be allowed to pass. Rural Iowa will likely be in the most dire situation. They simply wont be able to hire the people to carry out the work and they wont be able to afford the increased cost for services should they have to purchase them through private business.With the passing of this bill, our students will immediately be at risk. They will experience school without the many supports they rely on every day they are in our school buildings. Teachers and administrators will go without the support, the resources, and the thought partners they are accustomed to having. So I ask you to vote NO on this bill and its amended form. Should you not heed the feedback, input, and advocacy you are seeing from Iowans, you will need to live with the consequences of the future of our education system and the election results on our next election day.

01-30-2024

Alex Grawe []

Please support Iowas schools, educators, and students and OPPOSE SSB 3073. As a first year teacher, I am thankful for the support and services my students and I receive from the local AEA. Please listen to the constituents that you were elected to represent. Iowans do not want this! VOTE NO!

01-30-2024

Hannah Spring []

Governor Reynolds claims that she wants school districts to have control but SSB 3073 does the opposite. ALL the control (even whether the school can get AEA services) lies with the Director of Education in Des Moines. How is that going to improve the student test scores? Without the AEAs, who will be there to support the teachers, Students, and School Districts?

01-30-2024

Jenny Brodell []

Vote NO to this bill. There is not sufficient data to support the sweeping changes that are being proposed in this legislation. Listen to your constituents and do your due diligence as elected officials to work for the people of Iowa. This legislation will likely endanger those in rural areas and our students requiring special education services. It provides no thoughtful or researched methods by which this will improve education to the most vulnerable Iowa children. The proposed feeforservice agreements for specialized services will have farreaching repercussions for children who require the most support. As Iowa's State Advocate for Reimbursement through the American SpeechLanguage Hearing Association (ASHA), I can attest that again, this will have significant negative impacts on children with the highest level of need. By potentially moving AEA specialized speech therapy services to communitybased centers for those schools that would opt to do so, you will now be creating access and funding issues for children who currently receive both schoolbased and outpatient services. Managed Care Companies that provide Medicaid services already try to prohibit children from receiving services at more than one location, claiming "duplicative services". This will likely become the norm for any child receiving services in a feeforservice school and attempting to also access outpatient services (i.e., the most high needs students). Further, options for this proposed feeforservice schedule will be significantly limited in rural areas. Vote NO to this bill.

01-30-2024

Amy Roberts []

I am writing to express my concerns for HSB 542/SSB 3073. All three of my children received services from the AEA, as did my husband and extended family members. Families and teachers depend on a variety of services from the AEA's from Early Access services that can start after a baby leaves the hospital and involve physical and occupational therapists, teachers, speech pathologists, audiologists, teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing and teachers for visually impaired, and can evolve to supporting students, families and teachers in the school setting from kindergarten until the student graduates with a multitude of supports and resources helping the student transition out of the "school" world. How is cutting these supports helpful to students, families and districts? Especially in the smaller or more rural districts? I worry that systems that have been in place for years, perhaps even generations, will not be in place if the AEA's are under the Department of Education. There will be a gap in services for students, families and districts and the hole that is created will be devastating and have LASTING effects for Iowa's students. The AEA's services have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of students and districts, let's keep up the proud tradition of Iowans helping Iowans. Say No to HSB 542/SSB 3073. Please protect the AEA's!

01-30-2024

Pat Curley []

Being a teacher in the past, now retired, the AEAs were my go to for class sets of books, video to enhance my teaching, reference materials, evaluations of students, and professional development. Many of my classes to complete the states licensing requirements every five years were through the AEAs. The conferences held such as IPad University gave to me not only knowledge of the iPad but also how it could be used in class setting and 3D printing. Did I rely on getting my materials even though I was not in the town the AEA was located? They were always brought to the schools when requested. Would I be able to find the materials elsewhere for free or have the ability to look through the catalog for choices to be had? Would students who needed to be evaluated be left out. Would the special education programs be affected by staff cuts especially in the rural areas?The state does not give the schools enough money to have the resources one needs. The increase, if any, of these funds would not cover the services. Each AEAs cover a large territory Each are needed. Our governor needs to actually see the AEAs at work and realize the impact of educating the child.

01-30-2024

Dawn Smith [Special Education Teacher ]

Please vote no on this bill. The AEA provides services that our children would not receive adequately otherwise. I have taught for districts with AEA support and one without. One of the most important aspects of the AEA is being the voice for students with special needs. Our government has three branches which provide checks and balances so one doesnt overstep another. That is what the AEA provides our students. Districts that hire their own consultants and such do not have those checks and balances. They dictate what we can provide our students, fair or not because they dont answer to anyone. This is outrageous. Children who need the most support do not always get an equitable education because there are no checks and balances. If you take away the AEA, you are putting more children in jeopardy of having their rights trampled on. Please vote no. Take a look back in the history books of special education. You will see why the AEA was started. Please do not set us back 75 years. Vote no.

01-30-2024

Theresa Smith [Parent and educator ]

Vote no to all to SSB 3073. Even a small change to an elaborate system will cause major disruptions to students and teachers. Keep the highly qualified AEA leaders where they are able to make local decisions for districts. Allow the AEA to provide personalized services to every student who needs them. My son has utilized AEA services for speech and my family of educators has depending on the AEA for many aspects of our careers. Leave them alone.

01-30-2024

Erika Choate []

Iowa students use and benefit from Area Education Association (AEA) services every day. The support of the AEA staff is an essential service (speech, psych, OT, consultant support, etc). These services and other resources the AEA provides (like computer applications, digital books, delivery services, etc) will likely not be affordable for public schools if AEA services are eliminated. Teachers need readily available staff to assist with all types of issues students experience, there isnt time or funding to contact companies/contract services for that kind of intense support and get students the help they need in a timely manner. Mental health and behavioral services already have a long wait list to get support.Our students and public school staff dont need LESS support! Please dont take away more from public education! The future of Iowa and the general population depends on it!Thank you for representing the constituents of our state.

01-30-2024

Sarah LeClair-Jones []

As you study SSB 3073, please consider the needs of countless Iowa children who benefit from Area Education Agency (AEA) services. They must be our priority and they often cannot speak for themselves. We cannot diminish the services and supports that our students and school districts need. The future of education in Iowa is at risk, and generations of Iowans will be affected by this decision. The adults of the future must be well educated and prepared for the working world, and it all begins with children served by our AEAs. The AEA system is not broken. Please protect AEAs at this critical time!

01-30-2024

Peggy Kolpek []

Please vote NO to this bill! It does NOT benefit districts, educators, students, or families. In fact, it will hurt them. Review the AEA system, analyze the data coming from that review and then make any necessary recommendations based on the review. No one wants this bill except for one woman with her own personal agenda. Listen to your constituents. They are speaking loud enough for all to hear! Vote NO!

01-30-2024

Taylor Benge []

Please vote no to this bill as it currently is written. This bill will hurt Iowa students, educators, and school districts. I am all for discussing concerns with the AEA system when all stakeholders (AEA staff, educators, administrators, families, etc) are able to come to the table and share their perspectives. I am not okay with trying to quickly pass a bill that will drastically change education in our state in a very negative way.

01-30-2024

Lauren Runyan []

Please vote no. The impact this would have on rural schools is so detrimental. So many resources that are provided for free through the AEA to students, families, and teachers will disappear. Passing this bill would have a negative impact on Iowans for years to come. Look at the data and even do some research for yourself. Please do not rush into this.

01-30-2024

Samantha Perry []

I strongly oppose this bill. Should this bill pass, thousands of jobs would be lost statewide. This bill turns educational services into a competitive bidding process and students will not get the services they need. That is not what our schools or students need. This bill is not good for Iowa educators or students and families.Please support the Iowans you are supposed to be representing and do not vote to pass this bill. Do not have your legacy be letting down Iowas children and families.

01-30-2024

Katie Frerichs []

Vote NO! Our schools and students need more support, NOT less. This bill strikes services that Iowa schools, students, and families rely on without providing an alternate, AFFORDABLE, source for these services. In the case of rural communities, an alternate source simply does NOT exist. So then what?? This bill is proposing to fix a system that is not broken! AEAs provide support for ALL students. AEAs provide support to administrators, teachers, and paraeducators. AEAs provide support to families. When schools thrive; communities thrive. Vote NO!

01-30-2024

Michala Pedersen []

As a parent of 3 young children in a rural Iowa school and a special education teacher, I am asking you to vote NO to SSB3073. Please listen to what Iowans are saying! This bill is not in the best interest of our children nor schools. There are better ways to make improvements such as looking at accurate data, completing a comprehensive study, and taking the time to make thoughtful, thorough plans to ensure we are doing the best we possibly can for our children in Iowa.

01-30-2024

Tammy DeBord []

As a citizen of Iowa, a mother of children enrolled in public school, a former PTO president and member of the SIAC committee in my school district, I vehemently oppose the AEA bill and urge everyone to vote no!

01-30-2024

Jessica Anderson []

There is so much to say about this (ammended) bill but it has all already been said. How many of you have constituents who have contacted you to explain/plead/beg to you how bad this bill is for our kids and our schools? You who want to vote for this are relying on flawed data that you simply do not understand to dismantle a system that has worked in our state for 50 years! Nothing you propose here fixes the alleged problem. ENGAGE with our very knowledgeable experts and come together to reach a better understanding of where the challenges lie and address the specific issues. As a life long Iowan, as a former school board member and as a mom of children that have received AEA services ACROSS THE SPECTRUM and have been MORE than satisfied, add MY voice to the choir of others telling you to vote this down. Its wrong for our kids and our schools and our state. Once this is done, it cant simply be put back. What will your legacy be?

01-30-2024

Kellie Martin []

I just attended a statewide zoom meeting held by the ISEA that explained the amendment to the governor's educationbill. I understand that you will be meeting to discuss this bill. I am a parent of a child that needed an IEP for academicsand I am a child of a gifted child who benefited from the support instructors were given from AEA media/general education services. I appreciate all of the services that AEAs provide. I strongly believe that public services need to be available for public students. If changes will be made to AEAs, I am concerned that services will not continue. How AEA services are changed, how can I be ensured that these services willcontinue in another way and will there be funding to accomplish these changes? I was born and raised in a small rural communityin northern Iowa. I observed the AEAspeech language pathologist when I was in high school and that was the beginning of my career. Rural communities need their schools; they are the center of the communities. The impact of taking local control away from rural districts will be devastating to communities. Please learn more about AEA services and the impact they have on all students, teachers, and families.Thank you for your time and your service,Kellie Martin

01-30-2024

Molly Warnemunde []

I urge you to vote no on this bill. This will affect all schools and all students. It does not allow for local control. It will weaken the services being provided to schools. Slow this bill down and take the time to do a comprehensive review of the AEA while talking with all stakeholders involved.

01-30-2024

Amy Pearson []

Please vote no on this bill. I am a school psychologist living in Lake Mills, IA, who is employed by Central Rivers AEA. I have been a school psychologist for 23 years.As a member of the AEA Crisis Response Team, I have responded to many crisis events, and have provided counseling and support to students, teachers, administrators, and parents. The crises included students suicides, a teacher's death from COVID, a student's death after being hit by a bus, a student's death after driving into a bus while texting, car accidents, and a coachs death by gunshot. I have provided grief counseling to a class of 2nd graders who lost their classmate that morning, shortly before I arrived. I have had students spontaneously hug me while crying. I have listened to a student with clinical depression talk about the appeal of suicide following the death of a classmate. Students ask me why did their classmates die, and I am trained in how to answer their questions. I have provided suicide prevention training to 9th graders when requested by a school district. Recently, you may have heard of the school shooting in Perry, IA. Heartland AEA's crisis response team responded that very same day and was on site to support this community following this horrific event.As you can imagine, there are many, many people who have been impacted by crisis events in Iowa and who have been helped by an AEA crisis response team. This bill would dismantle the AEA crisis response teams which would have a detrimental impact on the mental health and wellbeing of Iowas children.In addition, in my role as an AEA Team Representative, I rely on experts to help me find evidencebased interventions for children who are struggling in school. These experts include Literacy consultants, Math consultants, and ELL consultants, all of whom are part of Ed Services. I also rely on members of the AEA WellBeing team to assist in serving students with severe socialemotional and behavioral needs. I can't do my job without them. The AEA is strongest when we are able to work as a team. This bill jeopardizes our ability to work together as a team to help teachers meet the unique and complex needs of children with disabilities.Respectfully,Amy Pearson, PsyS, NCSP

01-30-2024

Paula Leach []

Please slow down the process of reforming Iowas AEA system. Nobody who uses the AEA services had a chance to give input regarding what needs to change and what is already working well. Please do not take local control away from Iowans. Our children deserve a better plan than what is being proposed.

01-30-2024

Barry Timmins []

Please vote NO to this bill. Countless number of kids benefit Greatly from this service as well as the teachers and staff. This is a service that our community relies on and will negatively affect our schools if taken away! Please vote No!

01-30-2024

Heather Swanstrom []

Our family has been greatly impacted by our local GPAEA. I, like many others, did not know the vastness of services and areas the organization served until we directly benefited from them. From the Early Access Progam to now receiving speech and OT, their services have been invaluable for my son, as well as many other children. What they provide supports students in and out of the classroom from birth. I know he would not be where he is today without all of the services he has received from the AEA, and their great staff. I also know, I as an educator I wouldnt be where I am without the support they have provided myself and my students through the years. Are there flaws in the system, yes, just like any system. But do you throw out a whole apple just because of one flaw? Absolutely not! Please vote NO for this current bill and continue the conversation.

01-30-2024

Senta Pritchard []

This AEA bill is so ridiculous. My son as a 4 year old has needed AEA already and making so much progress. There is no way you can take it out of the schools. You are taking away the help for teachers and kids. Please rethink this bill, all of AEA is important to the schools.

01-30-2024

Bill Poock []

Please vote NO on SSB3073. As a lifelong Iowan, I am very concerned that if this bill passes, even in the "revised" stage that was presented by the governor, it will have detrimental effects on students for decades to come. This bill removes so much control from local school districts and inappropriately places all the power of decision making with one person in the Department of Education. Iowa's students will suffer the consequences of this bill. Iowa's teachers will suffer the consequences of this bill. Iowa's school administrators will suffer the consequences of this bill. Iowa's rural school districts will suffer the consequences of this bill. Please listen to the hundreds of pages of comments from Iowans (both republican and democrats) who are in opposition to this bill. This is legislation that didn't even include the stakeholders who are invested in education in this state. School administrators and AEA staff were not consulted about this legislation. Legislators were caught off guard. Rural school districts will be the real losers. I am concerned that so much will be lost. Many, many services and supports will be stripped of the AEAs. We already have a teacher shortage in the state of Iowa. Now we are asking teachers to do MORE without the supports they have come to rely on in order to do their jobs well. Please listen to all Iowans who have shared comments. Please do not make a hasty decision. Let's take TIME to consider how we can improve the AEA system. But do NOT make a quick decision. I fear that if a quick decision is made, and this revised bill is passed, we will feel the negative effects of this legislation for years to come. Thank you for ALL you do for Iowans. Please make a good decision based on all of these comments. Thank you for your service.

01-30-2024

Marcia Hamilton []

Protect Our AEAs!!! I am writing as a parent who has had a child with special needs in the school system in Iowa. My son used the AEA services from birth for hearing, developmental delays, and also for speech services. These services started in his daycare setting and continued directly to his classroom when he became school age. We lived in rural Iowa. I dont know how I would have been able to get my son speech service if it wasnt for the AEA. I would have had to leave work, take him out of school and drive him to a therapist. I have to be honest. It would not have been good for either of us. He would have missed so much school and I would have lost lots of time at work. I am thankful to have services directly to his school. The AEA was then again helpful when he became a high schooler. They help me set up important Vocational services for him, assisted with a four plus program so he could attend college and receive the necessary supports to help him become a success college student. Please not mess with a system that works so well already with schools, parents, and communities. The AEA also has assisted the teachers working with him. They have assisted with instructional methods and resources to help all students in his classes. Please remember, special education students are general education students first. Special education is just a small part of their education but so very important for equitable access. VOTE NO to this BILL.

01-30-2024

Kendra Halferty []

How can you accept a bill that was written by someone who does not understand education let alone special education. The director of the Iowa Department of Education is responsible for leading, facilitating, and implementing policies, procedures and guidance for our state's educational systems. The current Director is McKenzie Snow. What positions in Iowa public education can she legally hold?Classroom teacher? NO. She doesn't possess an Iowa teaching license or ANY teaching license.Administrator? NO. She doesn't hold an administrative license.Counselor? NO. She doesn't have a license.Substitute teacher? NO. She doesn't have her authorization.Coach? NO. She doesn't have a coaching endorsement or authorization.Bus driver? NO. She doesn't have a CDLCurriculum director? Special education director? Director of any Education? School psychologist? Speech Language Pathologist? Physical Therapist? Occupational Therapist? Family Advocate? MultiOccupational Coordinator? Educational Consultant for the AEA? All NO.In the past year, we have had three (3) different Directors of the Iowa Department of Education. Why? The governor of Iowa eventually brought Snow in from Virginia (which is also where the governor received the current anti AEA bill from an organization called Guidehouse and we are told it cost $1,000,000) to lead OUR department of education. To make decisions for OUR state. To support OUR students. She will serve her purpose as directed by the govenor and then move on without regard for what is left in her wake. Please vote no on this bill, the future of Iowas education depends on it.

01-30-2024

Sherri Peterson Peterson []

I have been a teacher for over four decades and an AEA educator and consultant for 20 of those years. The AEAs are vital to our students, families, educators, and schools. The high quality services that are provided by our AEAs cannot be replicated in the private sector. I urge you to vote no on this bill. In both my role as an AEA employee and as an AEA consumer I encountered many knowledgeable, caring, and effective professionals and saw the difference that was made in many children's lives.

01-30-2024

Jami Miller []

As an Iowa educator the past 20 years I strongly oppose this bill. This bill has been developed on the ground of false data, and does not show the full picture of what AEAs do for our children. This bill is not only dismantling AEA, if passed as written it will ruin small, private and rural school districts. It strips valuable resources from ALL children, not just those in special education, and will harm the children of Iowa. Causing damage that will take years to recover from. I question how a bill that mentions 133 times that it's taking decision making away from local control is giving districts "more control", and I would like to see accurate data that shows how the proposed finances are sustainable. I would like to hear answers to so many of the questions posed that currently have no answers, and I would like to see Superintendents and AEA staff on the board, giving input. I urge you, for the future of Iowa's children, to please slow down this process and throughly evaluate the AEA, making educated changes that will be in the best interest of students and promote growth and achievement, instead of irreversible damage. Please, for Iowa's children!

01-30-2024

Jami Miller []

01-30-2024

Dianna Geers []

As a career educator in Iowa, I am asking that this bill not move forward. From the first day on my job as a special education teacher in 1992, I had a special education consultant in my room helping me learn the ins and outs of IEPs, student goals, parental rights, and student rights. Then followed a speech language pathologist, I was able to order books and materials to supplement what my school provided, and I had psychologists, physical therapists, and other support that allowed me to be the best teacher I could be for those amazing kiddos. As time went on, I used more and more of Grant Wood AEAs services from leadership and educational technology courses to the invaluable digital resources that allowed all of my students both general education and special education to safely conduct research, access ebooks and audiobooks, and explore topics of interest AND to have accessibility built in to those resources so that all had the option to learn. Currently I am working as a librarian at an AEA as I support our service providers, school librarians and teachers, and help provide resources that schools may try before they buy, or to see if an expensive item is really what their student needs. This is all done in conjunction with content consultant and school/teacher input. There is no way that this current plan will be able to help students. A thorough and intentional study is needed to protect our schools and students. Please protect our AEAs for the sake of the future of Iowa's children.

01-30-2024

Courtney Cooper []

This bill would have a devastating impact on students, parents, teachers, and school districts. All communities would be negatively affected. To pass this bill would be abhorrent. The only modifications that should be considered are to provide MORE support.

01-30-2024

Holly Fish []

Please vote no for SSB 3073. Our AEAs are a vital part of Iowas education system. Our schools, students, teachers, families and so many more rely on all the wonderful services. Please listen to all the opposing comments!

01-30-2024

Laurel Klosterboer []

As a former teacher of both elementary and secondary grades in a small NE Iowa district, I depended heavily on resources, media, consultants, student events, and workshops to serve my widely varied general ed and Talented and Gifted students. It takes a team to cover the changing and expanding curriculum, to provide each student a complete and challenging quality education. The AEA services were essential, and conveniently located.Slashing services, staff, or consolidating the AEA's would severely damage small and large schools, and further take Iowa students in both public and private schools further down the mediocre slide, and deprive Iowa of a strong, educated workforce in the future. Keep the AEA's in their current effective structure.

01-30-2024

Doug Robertson []

Please vote no on SSB 3037. This is not who we are. This bill was written by a group from Virginia who was paid over $1 Million to write it. They have no idea what makes this state the state that made me want to leave Nebraska in 1999 to pursue a career here. They dont understand the balance of rural and urban life that is a fundamental part of our midwestern values and makes our state unique. Voting yes to this will change that balance by providing more opportunities to students in urban areas, while making it harder for students in rural areas to get the services that they need. In fact, earlier today, I saw an add for virtual special education services (provided by an outofstate company) that could be an option, quite possibly the only option, for rural schools. Seriously, special education via Zoom?!?! Again, this is not who we are, were better than this. I grew up on a dairy farm in rural northeast Nebraska. I went to a oneroom school house from K8th grade. I went to high school in a town of about 2,500 people. There were a little more than 50 people in my graduating class in 1994. I mention this because I know what its like not to have the opportunities that kids in larger schools had. I cant imagine how challenging that would have been if I would have needed special education services. I really hope all of the senators and representatives from rural areas are paying attention.I am blessed to be the father of three twice exceptional children who have excelled in Iowas public education system. All three have 504 plans and all three received services from Grant Wood AEA, even though they were not in special education. I cant imagine how our experience would have been different if we didnt have a little support from occupational therapists, school psychologists, and behavior specialists. These encounters werent profound, but the timing was critical in changing the trajectory of performance at school for our kids. All three of my children were also fortunate to participate in College 4 Kids, a summer enrichment program that was a run by Grant Wood AEA at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. That program gave kids an opportunity to take a deep dive into 50 different classes and have a better understanding of possible careers. This bill kills that program that has served over 900 kids every summer since 1987. I ask every legislator that has taken the time to read this (hopefully at least one of you will) to please slow this down and have a conversation. This is being railroaded through the legislative process. Im not opposed to change, in fact, there are some things with the AEAs (and all of education) that probably should change. But it should be changed because Iowans are having conversations with Iowans about what is best for ALL of our kids. It shouldnt change because of politics. It shouldnt change because a think tank in Virginia was paid to write a bill that could be fast tracked through Iowas legislative system.

01-30-2024

Michelle Wood []

Please protect our AEAs. AEAs help Iowas children.When my daughter was young, she had numerous ear infections. By the time she was two years old, I had concerns about her hearing. She would ask for a lot of repetition and needed to see my face when I was speaking to her. I made medical appointments and shared these concerns with her doctor. It took several visits with me advocating before I finally got her an appointment for a hearing test. When we arrived, the staff commented how young she was and how they probably couldnt get an accurate test at her age. They asked me questions and looked in her ears, but they didnt even try to evaluate her hearing. I was in tears. What more could I do? I called my local AEA. I expressed my concerns for my daughters hearing and the impact on her language development. She was scheduled to see an AEA audiologist at the hearing booth. The staff were excellent at working with a young child and completed a very thorough and accurate hearing test. My daughter did have hearing loss and it was significant in one ear. This report alone prompted her medical providers to act, but the AEA support did not stop there. Because the listened to my concerns about her development, a teacher was able to visit with us and observe my daughter. Thankfully, with the medical team prompted into action, her hearing returned to normal with no lingering developmental difficulties. This is just my story. Families across Iowa have stories just like mine. The original legislation and the proposed amendment will undoubtedly take away needed support for children and their families. Please protect our AEAs.

01-30-2024

Holly Kolfenbach []

Please vote NO to this bill! This is a crucial service to the children of this state. We should be thinking of ways to increase funding to public education in Iowa. These children they are the future!

01-30-2024

Alice Telfer []

It has been a great privilege for me to serve teachers, students, and families through Central Rivers AEA for the last 7 1/2 years. I would like to comment on 2 things. 1) Local control is a conservative value. The governor's talking point is that local schools know best so decisions will rest with them. Yet over and over again in this bill the decisions made by local schools need to be approved by the Department of Education. That is not local control but centralized control. 2) The AEA system employs highly trained staff, and their services are intertwined with every school district in this state. Drastic changes will result in disruptions of services that students are legally required to receive. Wise leaders should identify specific concerns and areas that need improvement based on multiple sources of sound data. They should then bring representatives of all stakeholders together to make a plan to address those specific concerns. This type of process would result in a wider community buy in, and more importantly improved services for students and schools. I urge you vote no on this bill and instead require that a through assessment of the AEA system be done. Then changes can be made based on reality instead of mere talking points with a plan that will not disrupt services to the students or the teachers and schools who work hard every day.

01-30-2024

Danen Cooper []

This bill would hurt all students, educators, and parents. Please think of the future of our communities and state before you try to take away not only equal opportunities but the right to a decent education. This not only hurts those who have special needs that are below the standard average but also those who are exceptionally above. This would hurt our state not just immediately but especially 20 to 50 years down the road.

01-30-2024

Courtney Ahlquist []

Please vote NO to this bill. The AEAs have benefited my family by utilizing Early Access for my oldest son who was delayed in gross motor skills. I have benefited myself from AEA services as an educator with resources, trainings, and their expertise in helping general education AND special education students. This bill would hurt the State of Iowas educational system.

01-30-2024

Misty Nay []

The services that the AEA provides are vital to the school districts, administrators, teachers, and students in our state. Not just the special education services, but ALL the services. Cutting these services and leaving schools without resources, not to mention, enough money to pay for them, is not only unfair, but also completely against what most Iowans want for our kids.The rate at which the governor is trying to push this bill through is dangerous, to be frank. You cannot pull the rug out from beneath schools with no plan as to how they are supposed to find, coordinate, and fully pay for these services. The only ones who suffer in this scenario are kids.The services that the AEA provides to our state are comprehensive, vital, and admired by those all over the nation. The outpouring of support for the AEA is not a coincidence. Its a testament to the impact they have had on the people and children of Iowa. And now it is your job to speak for your people, as we expect you to do when we vote you into your role.

01-30-2024

Katherine Southmayd []

As a Kindergarten teacher I have received support in many, many ways through our AEAs. I work with families who rely on these services to help their children grow and succeed not only in academics but in confidence and love for themselves and others. As a teacher I have learned so much through classes and in working with reps to help my students get what they need to grow. Please leave the AEAs alone.

01-30-2024

Kari Turnis []

I strongly urge you to NOT support this bill. Having worked for the AEA for nearly 25 years, I have seen firsthand how the work done by each and every AEA employee positively impacts students, families, and schools. AEAs ensure all students, regardless of location or background, have access to highquality educational opportunities and resources. AEAs support ALL schools, rural, suburban, and urban, including nonpublic. This bill will be detrimental to those services, and does nothing to increase special education performance. Speaking to you now as a lifelong Iowan who attended public schools, I am saddened to see the attacks on public education, including AEAs. This bill does nothing to improve education in the state of Iowa. Again, I implore you to listen to the people of Iowa and stop this bill from moving forward.

01-30-2024

Randy Allison []

With all due respect, please vote NO on this bill. I worked in education across Iowa for 40+ years. I have been on staff with 3 different AEAs, worked for the Department of Education, and worked as a private consultant. I can appreciate the sentiment that AEAs have changed over the last 50 years. Change has been required in order to be timely and responsive to changing needs within education and to changing state and federal requirements. There is always room for improvement and reconsideration of how AEAs operate. However, in thinking through those issues and considering future needs there seems to be little, if anything, to gain from what is a decimation of the existing system with this proposed bill. This is a high stakes decision that will have short and long term consequences at the individual, family, school, district and state level. A serious concern I have is that no one seems to have taken the time to truly consider the issues this bill presents in comparison to the presumed concerns it is said to solve. This seems to be a clear case of overreaction. If there is a problem to be solved we must clearly articulate it, analyze it for probable cause, and determine meaningful and valid methods to address them. Methods of determining the success, or lack thereof, must be in place. I fear that without deep knowledge of the interconnections of Iowas educational system at the state, AEA, and LEA level this bill, as currently conceived, will quickly create a level of dysfunction across the state that our educational system has never considered or experienced. There are funding issues, cost issues around economy of scale, inefficiencies and redundancies across districts in production and service offerings, issues with recruiting/hiring/training/retaining professional staff, challenges finding and keeping low incidence staff, insensitivity to local needs, a lack of onground flexibility, inability to meet state and federal rules and regulations in general and special education, timelines for implementation, poor continuity of services and service provision, questions about Early Access and Early Childhood programming, student data management and IEP data systems, mental health services and resources, behavioral programming, autism training and support, consistency of messaging and services for parents, vocational programming for students with disabilities, knowledge and linking to community resourcesand so many more. The point is, there has been no information provided in conjunction with this bill to suggest any consideration of these kinds of things. I have not met with or heard from anyone that can answer questions about how these types of issues will be addressed in a comprehensive and cohesive manner. I honestly wonder if anyone behind this bill has deep knowledge of these issues and/or has attempted to figure them out. In order for this bill to be meaningfully considered, answers to these matters are imperative for any success; both immediate and long term.

01-30-2024

Sally Slavens []

Please vote NO on SSB 3073. AEAs provide critical (and affordable) support to all Iowa students, teachers, staff, and administrators. As an Iowa taxpayer and graduate of the Iowa public school system, we should continue to invest in experts to help children thrive, no matter their location, needs, or circumstance.

01-30-2024

Juliette Houseman []

Please show your constituents and ALL children and families in Iowa that you understand that this bill is no good for anyone and vote NO. Take the time to bring all stakeholders to the table and get the input needed to make it a better system for ALL Iowans.

01-30-2024

Holmen Connie []

I have not seen or heard one person that supports this bill. You represent our state and the people who vote you into office. This bill does a disservice for Iowa schools, staff, student, families. Also why is teacher salaries linked with trying to destroy our AEAs? I believe she put it together to try to get this bill passed. Let the school districts in the AEAs have say on restructuring and separate salaries, as teachers need a liveable wage. But look at that on its own merits and make sure it's a number that pays teachers better but is also sustainable and not just another way for our governor to close small rural public schools.

01-30-2024

Michelle Tressel []

Although retired now, for more than 35 years I taught in an LEA in Iowa and used AEA services or was an employee of an AEA. I also have a nephew who received services from an AEA.I am very concerned by the damage SSB 3073 would impose on education in the state of Iowa. Of the many reasons SSB 3073would harm education, I wish to highlight the following 4 reasons: 1.The partnerships with LEAs and accredited, nonpublic schools will be lost. It was my experience that when an LEA needed assistance interpreting a new state requirement, addressing student behavioral issues, working with ELL students or providing grief counseling after a major tragedy, the AEA would be contacted. Resources, longterm and shortterm, would be put in place to meet the needs of districts and accredited, nonpublic schools. In working with the DE for more than 25 years, I discovered that the DE sees the federal and state government, not the LEAs, as their customers. The DE, by definition, is not positioned to provide services the LEAs request nor can they slide into that role effectively. 2. There will no longer be advocates for families and experts in consulting with districts on how to provide a free, appropriate public education to students with special needs. In addition, the AEAs provide related services free of charge to students who are currently enrolled in an accredited, nonpublic school. 3. Media and educational (instructional) services, critical services to schools, will no longer be available. These services are diverse and provide significant costsavings to schools, both urban and rural, schools that might not have access to these services otherwise. Handson science kits, boxed books, production of materials, assessment materials, and online resources represent a very, very small number of media services provided to schools. The expertise provided by consultants in the areas of reading, math, science and other curricular areas is outstanding. Not only do they support teachers and principals but also curriculum directors in the districts.4. And not to be forgotten is the topnotch staff development that is available to teachers and other staff. I took courses to remain current and to renew licensure. The courses were convenient, costeffective and very relevant to classrooms in Iowa. I also taught courses at the AEA and in districts. The AEA system is a comprehensive system on which LEAs and accredited, nonpublic schools rely heavily. Many do not realize the complexity of the services provided to the LEAs and accredited, nonpublic schools. Even though the AEA system is not a perfect system, rather than dismantling the system, please modify the bill so the system is studied and data and input from customers and stakeholders are gathered. The AEA system is too important to the public and accredited, nonpublic schools to dismiss it with great study.Please do not support SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Patricia Brinkmeyer []

While I do agree that teacher salaries should be raised, I do not agree with removing the support services of the AEA. As a child, I received speech services from a rural AEA. As a parent, my child needed to be evaluated for Early Access services due to speech issues. Our pediatrician recommended the local AEA and it was such a blessing to find this free resource that evaluated her hearing and her speech. She made tremendous gains and I will never forget those at the AEA who helped us navigate such an emotional time for our family. As a current Special Education Teacher, I work closely with the amazing staff at the local AEA and am always learning from them. The AEA always seems to be finding solutions to problems and ways to walk beside schools as they navigate new regulations and procedures. Our local AEA provides current professional development and collaborates with school districts to ensure that students are evaluated and receive the services that they need. Ive seen the lists floating on social media of all of the services that are provided. While I may not personally access them all, I cannot begin to speak for someone else who is depending on those services. Every district, every school, and every child deserves equal access to the best educational resources.

01-30-2024

Kristi Willemsen []

By going through with this bill we are drastically impacting the future of our children. Aea has drastically helped our son since 2.5 years old expanding his speech and cognitive skills. The aea staff needs more help not less. So many students still need all of these tools and educators too!!

01-30-2024

Julie Aschenbrenner []

Do NOT dismantle or try to downsize, fix or however you want to spin it the AEA! Yall tried to do that with Medicaid by privatizing it and as a nurse I can assure you from a patients perspective that has been one big fail! Stop trying to solve problems that dont exist! Maybe figure out how youre going to feed hungry children since the governor doesnt seem interested in that.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Turner []

I oppose this bill. Iowa schools will still need AEAs regardless. Small schools won't have choice contrary to the governor's assertion. I worked for Heartland AEA as a speech therapist for 15 years and then wanted to go part time and I am currently doing teletherapy in CA for a Canadian company. It is not as good. All my kids have minor issues that work over the internet although not ideally. But there are lots of kids who wouldn't get any benefit from that. That is the private option available. Rural schools hiring their own SLPs, OTs, psychs, would be nearly impossible as there just aren't that many, few live outside metros, and small schools probably can't offer fulltime on their own. So why would we write 300 some contracts between districts and AEAs? We'd lose economy of scale and create chaos. Local control is lost in this bill. AEA boards are appointed by districts now. The governor wants her DE director in charge of everything and to have to approve everything. That DE director is rumored to be MIA quite often and people have trouble getting her signature now. She ended the Family Educator Partnership at AEAs that's been around since 1984 without talking to anyone. There are a lot of people VERY fired up about this. Nobody wants this except the governor. We won't forget. I will make sure to remind as many people as possible next election.

01-30-2024

Kathleen Stuart []

I am an Early ACCESS Service Coordinator and Early Childhood Teacher through Keystone AEA, former classroom teacher and parent of two children who were supported by Keystone AEA. I can assure you that the AEAs as they are now are an essential key to the success of our education system in Iowa. In addition to being extremely concerned about the reduction of services that AEAs provide to all students under the current proposal, I am also extremely concerned with the proposed removal of the chief administrators from the AEAs and giving control to the Director of Department of Education. This shift of control would take away 133 decisions that impact the schools that are served by AEAs and currently are made locally and instead the decision making power is given to one person who is potentially hundreds of miles away. Additionally, at least 7 decisions that are currently made by Board of Education will shift to the Director of the department of education. One person should not have this much control over the education of our children. Decisions that affect school districts and learners should be kept local and guided by experienced school administrators, like our current AEA administrators.I implore you to stop this bill and keep the current AEA system in place. While I agree in every system there will always be room for change, and the AEA System is not an exception and may benefit from a review and possibly some restructuring. However, the change should be steered by stakeholders and not government officials and out of state research firms. The AEA system is working for all students and Governor Reynolds proposed changes to the AEA system is not in the best interest of our children, families, teachers or the future of Iowa

01-30-2024

Jan Evans []

Thank you for taking my comment urging you to vote NO on moving this bill forward. AEA services positively impact students, parents, teachers, schools, and communities through the many professionals services and programs that are provided. These services are not frivolous but rather integral to education and wellbeing. I hope you will take a very cautious and thoughtful approach in your consideration of this bill.

01-30-2024

Andi Edmister []

PLEASE VOTE NO to this bill!!! Instead, please meet with the stakeholders in education (families, students, teachers, support staff, administrators) and hear from them on what needs exist within the education system and how that impacts students. Take the time to understand a complex system of education and special education systems to best support recommendations on how to improve the school systems further. This bill will cause further harm to the school systems. Please vote NO!

Attachment

01-30-2024

Danielle Reeves []

As a mother to several children who have received and continue to benefit greatly from services provided by the AEA in our small school district I am begging you to vote no to this bill. It will negatively impact a majority of our district and community. Large school districts may be able to share more resources or purchase, rent, or contract equipment and agencies among the buildings. Small school districts, which make up most of the schools in lowa, may not have these options. AEAs help level the playing field for all our schools and students.

01-30-2024

Deborah Fink []

Please be mindful of all the children and their different needs. They are our future. The AEA helps to meet a wide variety of needs for individual students, and it does it efficiently. If there are improvements to be made and there surely are then study them and figure out how to do them better without smashing up the entire system. It's much easier to do wholesale destruction than to work constructively to do a better job.

01-30-2024

Katie Roling []

I am joining the hundreds of comments already here urging you NOT to advance this bill. Our AEAs provide access to essential services and supports for every Iowa school (both public and private), and the current structure of pooled resources is integral to their effectiveness, efficiency, and equity. There is *no* evidence that dismantling this system in favor of "fee for service" will address any of the achievement concerns identified by the Governor. Please slow this process down and engage in further study with all stakeholders to determine whether/which change(s) should be made.

01-30-2024

Molly Uhlenhopp []

Please vote NO to this bill. It does not make sense as to WHY this is being proposed. I have not met a single person who supports this. LISTEN to the people of Iowa. This bill was written by an out of state company who simply does not understand the AEA. My four month old was born at 29 weeks 1 day. The AEA began to provide support while we were still in the NICU. The immediacy of the AEA is and will be unmatched. Please stop this bill: vote no!

01-30-2024

Margaret Woodruff [Parent, Grandparent, voter]

I have seen how the AEA is a partner to schools, communities, students and families. The AEA is the support, the middle ground, that is the glue that helps with trainings and curriculum, and offers strategies to students, teachers and families that are struggling. The dedicated AEA staff reflect, teach, practice, and coach parents, students, teachers, and administrators, along with being community partners. Please vote NO on this bill! A great deal will be lost in July 2024 if this bill goes through. Schools, families, and children birth through 21 will be without services that have helped children grow to their highest potential .

01-30-2024

Catherine Hahn []

Good Evening! My name is Catherine Hahn. I am the parent of a child/ adult who utilized AEA services starting at 6 months through 21, an employee of the AEA as a physical therapist for the last 29 years, and an advocate for persons with disabilities who has served on local, regional and state level committees. The current bill before you to dismantle the AEA services will being great harm to students, families , local school districts and communities. It does away with the excellent educational tradition of having local control in collaboration with supports of the regional AEA under the guidance of the Iowa Department of Education and Iowa State Board of Education and puts in it's place an educational system totally controlled by The Iowa Department of Education. This includes local districts having to seek approval to have contracts assigned, loss of all local input and loss of transparency that currently exists through elimination of current standards to publish budgets , etcPlease vote NO on this bill! Let us consider a measured approach to changes in the system where families , educators, administrators and legislators can come together to write and adequately fund a bill which will improve educational outcomes for all Iowa's children.RespectfullyCatherine Hahn

01-30-2024

Katie Fairchild []

In November of 2023, I accepted a position with Prairie Lakes AEA. My family and I moved from North Carolina, where I was working in a private practice setting, to Spencer, Iowa. I made this decision because I grew up in this area and have always wanted to serve rural schools and students by using my skills as a behavior analyst to help students succeed in the general education setting.Currently, my role within the AEA is as the challenging behavior consultant. In this capacity, I work with over 50 children ranging from PreK to High School on my caseload. I collaborate directly with students, general education teachers, special education teachers, principals, superintendents, and the students paraprofessionals to reduce severe problem behaviors and teach more appropriate alternative behaviors. The intention is to minimize injuries to staff and assist students in receiving their education in the least restrictive environments.Despite a substantial pay cut of $40,000 by transitioning from private practice to working for the AEA, I made this decision due to my awareness of the limited resources available to rural families in addressing problematic behavior and teaching appropriate behaviors. I have attached a visual to this email to show the area that I am currently serving. In this vast area, the majority of schools are rural, and the available resources for families to receive the types of services provided by me through the AEA are virtually nonexistent or have waitlists for at least 6 months or more. Many families do not have the financial resources to afford these types of services, even if they are able to travel to urban areas where these services are available.I am deeply concerned for families if the bill proposed by the Governor is passed. What happens when schools do not have the muchneeded and evergrowing behavioral supports if they opt out of AEAs? What supports will teachers have when these behavior supports are taken away? What happens to all of the other kids in class when these behaviors get worse? I urge you to champion the protection of AEAs and prevent this bill from advancing.Sincerely, KatieFairchild, MA., BCBABehavior Analyst

01-30-2024

Spencer Dworzynski []

The AEAs of Iowa offer vital services to each of our school districts. Cutting back on AEAs services will have an impact on our communities and hurt all schools, particularly in rural areas. I myself have benefited from an AEA speech therapist while in elementary school. That help is one of the contributing factor to my success today. I value all the support and programs that AEA has to offer. Please join me in pushing back on this bill.

01-30-2024

Amy Wichman []

I am OPPOSED to the proposed legislation HSB 542 that will significantly impact Iowas Area Education Agencies (AEAs) and ultimately every Iowan now and into the future. As a parent of three children and an Iowa educator of 28 years, I continue to see talking points and propaganda from the governor that is untrue and disputable. I encourage you to slow down the process to learn about the AEAs, their function, and their important role in the State. Consider these points:There will be Iowa residents who will lose jobs/ careers as a result of these changes, potentially in catastrophic numbers. Many are NOT people who are licensed teachers who could fill positions. They will become unemployed, uninsured Iowans or will leave the state. This is reality that needs discussed. There will be outsourcing as a result of the proposed privatization of services for schools. If ANY other businesses in the state of Iowa were going to outsource jobs or privatize with outofstate companies, Iowans (including Iowa legislators) would be irate. Outofstate companies are already poaching schools... The Department of Education DOES NOT have the infrastructure to oversee, run and/or consume ANY additional functions. Their inconsistency in staff, their lack of credibility with schools, and their inability to carry out initiatives without assistance from AEA staff (Early Literacy and ESSA law) is evident, daily. In addition, the language in the bill requiring so much to get "approved" by the DE makes everyday tasks impossible for districts (133 mentions of DE "approval needed). If AEAs have areas of concern, they should be studied and improved. To upheave, disrupt, and dismantle a system in less than 6 months is irresponsible, hasty, and damaging to students, educators, and parents in Iowa. The AEAs ARE evaluated by the State. Through annual comprehensive Desk Audits and accreditation visits every five years. The cascade of the system (Districts to AEA to DE) functions fine, as is, and in fact, is needed. Please dont succumb to the propaganda and misinformation that is being distributed. Continue to talk to Iowans, listen to parent stories, and truly take time to unpack the real consequences of these decisions on Iowa now and in the future. Listen to Iowans, parents, educators and YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

01-30-2024

Marcy Marvin []

This legislation will CRIPPLE Iowa schools, especially small rural schools. They do NOT have the resources to provide ALL the services that the AEA provide to them. There is already a shortage of teachers/staff and this will drive people out of education as educators are asked to do more with less. This legislation is clearly political and someone stands to benefit financaially. The DOE cannot begin to absorb all the special education services for the entire state. This will be devastating to children, families, and Iowa. Please do what is best for children and vote NO to this!!!

01-30-2024

Becky Dodd []

I am asking you to kill this bill or at the very least vote NO until your constituents' questions can be answered confidently and accurately. There must be a concrete plan for any transition that may occur.I work for Heartland AEA for the Early ACCESS program. Part of my role is to meet with families from all parts of the state that have a baby in our local NICUs. These babies have all been referred to Early ACCESS and come from every county across the state. Many from areas that have no resources other than the AEAs. Recently a NICU parent asked me what this bill means for their child's services. They asked me, what will it mean if my child still needs services when the child is old enough to start school. This parent is facing so many unknowns with their child's diagnosis. They don't know what needs their child will have over the child's lifetime, but they do know that their child is at high risk of developmental delays. Prior to this bill, I was able to confidently explain what services would look like. I was able to explain they will have a TEAM of people that will work collaboratively to ensure their child's needs are met. I was able to tell them that their service providers will be with them the whole step of the way and help them transition to preschool (if needed), or graduate from services. I was able to tell them that some of those same providers will be there to help their child until they graduate high school. Please tell me, what do I tell these families now? They need to hear something more than "they will receive services". They need to know that they have a consistent team that functions like a well oiled machine. They need to know "who" will provide those services. They need to know how we can ensure there will be no gap in services. They need to know that under the new plan all of their contracted services will work together as a fluid team. They need to know that their child is a priority to their service providers and not just another number on a waiting list. Because these are all of the things AEAs provide. But as this bill is written, there is no plan. There is no mention of how families will transition as of July 1. Please vote against this bill.

01-30-2024

JOHN CARR []

SSB 3073 should never have been introduced, but now that it has made it to a committee it needs to be DOA at the conclusion of the committee hearing. It simply further harms students and teachers and families.

01-30-2024

Elizabeth Hill []

As an educator and a family member whose loved ones have directly benefited from AEA services, I strongly oppose SSB3073. This legislation jeopardizes the wellbeing of our students and school staff. I urge you to vote against this bill for the sake of Iowa's children. The invaluable and equitable resources offered by Iowa AEAs are instrumental in supporting the diverse needs of all children through the state.

01-30-2024

Erin Harris []

As the parent of a child who receives special education services, I implore you to please vote no on this bill. Contrary to Governor Reynolds claims, this legislation will not improve my childs education and, in fact, will harm it, along with every other childs in the state. Please do not allow special ed kids to be used as tokens in this plan to dismantle Iowas public education system. If you truly care about improving our childrens education, there are many, many other ways to do that, and many incredible parent advocates who would gladly share their knowledge with you.

01-30-2024

Martin Mulligan [Iowa taxpayer-involved citizen-voter.]

I am writing to you as a concerned Iowan to ask all members of the Senate Education Subcommittee and Educational committee to vote NO on this Bill.I had the pleasure of attending public forums with your fellow Senate members over the weekend who said that this process is too fast,we need to pump the brakes,the system needs "studying" so we know what to keep, or change.A Fair Process would have all the member's affected be represented at the table, so a thoughtful plan could be implemented.Again I implore you on behalf of all Iowans to vote NO on SSB3073.

01-30-2024

Bryce Carlton []

Please consider how this bill will negatively impact equity and access to highquality educational opportunities and resources to ALL of Iowa's children and vote NO. The devastating consequences of this bill moving forward will be farreaching and felt for years to come. How will Iowa's education system recover? How will Iowa be able to attract or retain educators if you dismantle their support system? Iowa's children deserve better. Iowa's families deserve better. Iowa's educators deserve better. ALL Iowans deserve better. Please listen to the thousands of voices across the state who are against this bill and vote NO!

01-30-2024

Kristin Sparbel []

I am concerned about impacts of decreased educational services and unequal access to services that is likely with continued cuts to Iowa's AEAs. I have worked in public education in Iowa for many years, both as a paraeducator and more recently as a speechlanguage pathologist. As a paraeducator, support from AEA staff such as speechlanguage pathologists, social workers, and occupational therapists helped me to better work with students to support their learning and growth. As an AEA speechlanguage pathologist, I benefitted from the wealth of knowledge of my coworkers, professional development that was highly relevant to my work, materials from the print shop, and access to the media and assistive technology loan programs. Please consider importance of the services and supports for children, families, and educators provided through the AEA from early intervention through high school.

01-30-2024

Lindsey Rupp []

I have yet to see how this bill would improve the outcomes of Iowa students. Slow this bill and do a meaningful in state review of how AEAs work with public and nonpublic schools to improve student outcomes. While there is a lot of reference to Dept. of Education oversight, I have seen little about how this would functionally work or yield improvements. The governor claims that it is categorically false that she is planning to end AEAs or cut services, yet that will be the outcome when you lay off administrators, cut Media funding and move Special Education funding to schools, money that for many districts, especially rural districts, wont be able to provide the same services or level of service as it does through the AEAs economy of scale. I would ask the superintendents who claim to be unhappy with AEA services, have they reached out to AEA administrators to share their concerns? Have they reached out to their AEAs board of directors to voice their concerns? There are ways of addressing concerns without scraping an entire support system that has benefited generations of Iowa students and continues to today.

01-30-2024

Kelly Gisch []

Fellow Iowans, I urge you to vote NO on this bill that will drastically reduce much needed support and resources to our public school teachers, administrators, staff, and most importantly Iowa students. You have a responsibility as stewards of tax payer money to act according to the best use of those funds in a way that impacts the most people for the betterment of Iowa families and communities. I can think of nothing more important than supporting fully Iowa youth and the professionals who work with them. My own children have benefited greatly from AEA services that would otherwise have not been available to them. As a former Iowa teacher I utilized AEA resources on a regular basis to enrich my students. Please support AEA and our Iowa schools fully and vote NO on this bill.Thank you

01-30-2024

Lynne Currie []

It is obvious that the vast majority of Iowans are against this bill and want you to protect our AEAs as they are. Improvements are possible with any company or organization, so if that is what is needed, then address them without dismantling a system that has worked for 50 years. As a school social worker with Grant Wood AEA who serves two rural school districts, I have been so moved and humbled by the support my districts have shown for their AEA services. Every student and educator in the state receives equitable services under the current AEA service delivery model, and the proposed changes to it would create resource gaps between urban and rural districts, increase costs to districts, remove local control, and diminish the services that districts currently receive. I urge you to support your AEA's and preserve the current service delivery model.

01-30-2024

Lisa Taylor []

Please vote NO on SSB 3073. I have served as an AEA speechlanguage pathologist for 19 years. Many of my assignments have been in rural areas. I have provided speech services to students in grades PK12 with communication disabilities ranging across severity levels. I engage in daily collaboration with LEA teachers and staff as well as parents and other AEA colleagues in order to identify students needs and to provide effective evidence based instruction and supports. The AEAs provide quality and equitable services to all students in Iowa. This proposed bill is being rushed through without time for serious consideration, input and review from all stakeholders. This proposed bills drastic measures would leave local school districts with less control and students and families with less services. Please listen to the many people across Iowa who have reached out to you. Please support your local schools, families and students by voting NO!

01-30-2024

Connie King []

This bill will be a disaster for all schools. Schools that have always been able to use the resources of the AEA for free will now have to PAY FOR THOSE RESOURCES from a private company whose only purpose is to make money for the investors. Iowa schools have not received funding to keep up with inflation, let alone have enough money to hire personnel or pay for the resources. As a retired teacher, I used AEA resources many times, as well as took inexpensive classes through the AEA for license renewal. There is no purpose for this bill other than to damage public education. DO NOT pass this bill.

01-30-2024

Kathy Gabrielson [retired school counselor]

As a retired public educator of 35 years experience, I am deeply concerned by the discussion of the massive destruction of the current AEA system. Over my many years of working with them through their professional development and AEA personnel support in special education services and mental health, they were instrumental in guiding the reform of educational practices and professional consultation and guidance for school services. I am distressed at the loss of this system for our local school systems. I encourage you to NOT do the drastic AEA reforms suggested by Governor Reynolds. Thank you for your consideration. Kathy L. Gabrielson, Story City retired school counselor

01-30-2024

Shelby Ripperger []

Please vote against HSB 542/SSB 3073! The amendments to this bill are not enough to remedy the concerns voiced by thousands of Iowans. AEAs are vital and these dramatic changes to the structure of AEAs will directly reduce the quality and quantity of supports available to all schools, families, and children in Iowa. This is too important to rush. If nothing else, I implore you to slow this bill down. Allow for true public input, for time to gather valid data, and for Iowans to be able to participate in a fair democratic process.

01-30-2024

Ann Dworzynski [concerned parent, taxpayer and VOTER]

Vote NO to this Bill. The people of Iowa are telling you they WANT AEA services and resources in their districts. We need to think about the rural communities and how the student will be impacted. We have tons of studenta tha rely on the AEA for more than special education. We have rural communities that use our STEM kits as part of their curriculum. We have librarian who use our digital media items for group lessons. The oT , PT and SLP check out items to help supports students. we need to THINK about this Bill and how futures will be impacted This bill should. not be hurried in fact it should be under a microscope to make sure that all the facts are present before making any changes. Vote NO

01-30-2024

Emma Eaton []

Thank you for your service to Iowa. My name is Emma Eaton. I am a parent of a first grader at Dallas Center Grimes Community School District and I've got two more kids who will be entering the school system in coming years. I am also in my 12th year of teaching currently a teacher of the visually impaired, and previously was a special education teacher. I'm emailing today about concerns with HSB 542 and the impact it could have on my children's education.Based on information provided about the services that our district uses, DCG used $464,000 for media and educational services in the first quarter of the 20232024 school year. For the 20222023 school year, DCG professionals benefitted from $619,000 worth of in person or online training/PD. Additionally, DCG used approximately $166,000 worth of library and media services for the 20222023 school year. At this time, the only money discussed to be returned to district control has been special education funds. Therefore, if the proposed changes are passed and parts of AEA are cut or services are moved to a fee for service model, the money for these services will come from DCGs current general education budget. Our district cant replace all of the services they receive from the AEA with their current budget. If bigger districts like DCG can't afford to replicate service to their students, how in the world are our small districts going to survive?At this point, my children have not needed special education services, but I know they are benefiting from the services their teachers are getting. These proposed changes dont give the power back to schools, it gives the power the Department of Education. Those in the highest positions at the DE dont have educational backgrounds, therefore they dont know or understand what the depth of our student and of the services each and everyone of them require. Please dont take these supports away. Dont fail the students of Iowa!

01-30-2024

M J Redlinger []

As a tax payer, a lifelong Iowan, a teacher and a person who cares about Iowas youth I request that you DO NOT mess with the AEAs. I have worked with AEA is several different settings and I have seen how they make a difference for students, parents, families, and the WHOLE state. Dont forget the students served by the AEAs that do not have the voice of parents who can tell you what a mistake it would be to cut these services. I worked with kids in behavioral settings where it is easier for them to learn, where it is safer for them to be located, and because of it public schools and students have fewer disruptions to overcome. I taught students in shelterschools, where the AEA provides education for kids whose parents have abandoned them, or abused them, or when situations arise that seem to be under no ones control, the AEA treats kids as normally as possible. I helped to develop AEA services in our prison system where unfortunately kids who cannot graduate in normal schools sometimes end up and still require, deserve, and need special education services. While many of you would deny them this right, educating prisoners means they can gain the ability to analyze their mistakes, prepare to improve their future and begin to live by better choices. Money is not everything in this existence dont cut funds to a program that develops something more important to our future functioning, thoughtful, educated human beings. Jeanine Redlinger

01-30-2024

Henry Gerhardt []

Please vote no on this bill. The governor has tried to rush this through with lies for no benefit but her own. How would this benefit Iowas school system? It wouldn't. She has cut funds to the AEA for several years. Despite that fact they CONTINUE to provide outstanding services to all iowa schools. They level they playing field for rural schools. They offer countless educational development opportunities as well as assist schools in integrating new technologies. I have heard nothing but great things about the work/workers of our AEAs. We need to support them!

01-30-2024

B Metcalf []

As a special education teacher in the state of Iowa, depend on a variety of AEA supports including professional development and media services. My students receive a wide variety of supports including speech/language, occupational and physical therapy. Multiple time during the week I use supports provided by my Work Experience Coordinator and Special Education Consultant. Due to this support a large number of my students are able to learn skills for the future and I depend on the support of these individuals to allow me to provide the instruction that they need. It does not make any sensethat we would destroy a system without any input from those that use them every day and no plan in place to replace. There is no doubt that students will suffer by this predetermined action at the state level and then it will be too late. If it is this important then why not take the time to keep what is working and fix what is not. In the end it is the teachers and families that will have to fix the problems when students lose out, not those supporting his total overhaul.

01-30-2024

Valerie Van Zee []

Please vote against this bill. As a school social worker for an AEA and as a parent of 4 children in the school system, one of whom has received direct services and the others who have benefitted from the systems support the AEA provides, I am asking you to really consider what benefit this bill brings. Let's do a comprehensive review with all the right people around the table so we can improve our students' success. I cannot see how this will improve their outcomes and am certain it will decrease their outcomes. I live in rural Iowa and the services the AEA provides cannot just be replicated easily or cost effectively. Our kids deserve our very best. Let's provide them with it!

01-30-2024

Darin Johnston []

Looking at the comments, I hope that the members of this subcommittee can feel the absolute outrage Iowans have on SSB 3073. We'll start with the fact no legislator looked at this bill before the Governor put it into her State of the State address. She purposely hid this from our legislators because she knew this would draw the ire of Iowans. She wanted the surprise to push this through.Most rural schools depend on their AEAs for many services. My students use several subscriptionbased services that are accessed through our AEA. Most of these services my school could not afford if not for our AEA. Money would come back to our district, but would this cover the costs our district would have to take on? Most likely not.Finally, an outofstate company wrote this with zero input from ANY stakeholders. That alone should throw up huge red flags, regardless of which party you are in. Have parents been talked to? Have teachers? AEA consultants? If so, we've not heard of this happening.In closing, what's the rush? Why is this so important right NOW? If we are to change the basic structures of our AEA, why shouldn't we step back and look at the AEA accreditations, seeing what is in those reports? I strongly urge the members of this subcommittee to listen to Iowans and slow this process down. Vote no for this bill.

01-30-2024

Daniel Schreiber []

Ask your friends, ask your neighbors, ask your family members: How have you seen our AEA benefit Iowa children? Do it. And then do it again. The stories you hear will be personal. Sad. Uplifting. Even remarkable. And they're often hidden these aren't the stories we voluntarily tell, but they're the stories that shape us as community, a state, and a future.I beg you to take a moment to listen to these stories and to understand the impact this bill could have on the kids who's stories have yet to be written.Please vote no to this bill.Sincerely, Danny father of five, Storm Lake, IA

01-30-2024

Allison Fayard []

As a constituent of this great state, I am deeply concerned by this rushed bill that is not based on sound data or input. In the wake of the tragedy in Perry, how can a government, in good faith, claim more mental health support is needed to reduce gun violence, and in the same breath, propose taking millions of dollars of mental health funding from the AEAs? I am in strong opposition to this bill. I am in strong opposition to the Governors diminishment of the progress of students receiving special education services and reducing their success to a single metric. It doesnt consider the nuances in understanding progress of students with diverse learning needs. Furthermore, it is unclear WHAT this bill aims to do to continue to improve student outcomes. Vote NO.

01-30-2024

Paula Arends []

As a retired teacher, grandparent and concerned citizen i am opposed to the AEA changes our governor is pushing. I live in a rural town. . Our community cannot provide the specialists that AEA provides for our students. It isnt just about special education. Our children, teachers, and community depend on the services and media AEA provide. Please listen to the public outcry to keep our AEAs

01-30-2024

Rose K Milligan []

The people of Iowa unite to oppose HSB 542/SSB 3073 and the amendment that would dismantle Iowa's AEAs. Vote NO and take time to evaluate and receive input from Iowa citizens, parents, students, and educators for any needed changes.

01-30-2024

Brenda Walker []

I do not support the changes proposed for the AEA. Activation of this plan shows significant lack of understanding what the AEAs provide for our districts and the ability of school systems to establish and maintain their own specialized special education programs. In addition, moving forward with this change shows a significant lack in understanding of what the voters want. Iowas children need the support of our elected officials and this bill lacks evidence of that intent.

01-30-2024

Maggie Slaymaker []

Please vote no to this bill! Our AEAs provide essential services to students and support to families and teachers. The partnership of the AEAs and local school districts provides equity of services and supports for all students. The impact of reducing supports provided to districts, families, and ultimately our children will be detrimental.

01-30-2024

Leah Ripperger []

Please oppose this bill. I have personally experienced the benefits of the AEA. My son was born with significant torticollis. He was also born during the peak of COVID19 when inperson physical therapy was not an option. After reaching out to the AEA, we were able to set up virtual services with a physical therapist. She demonstrated exercises, sent us resources, and met with us virtually until his condition corrected. Without the support of the AEA, my sons condition would have gone untreated and could have caused longterm health issues and developmental delays (such as delayed milestones, difficulty eating, vision problems, or balance problems). The flexibility of the AEA and its vast scope of services are unmatched and cannot be replicated by individual school districts.

01-30-2024

Brenda Jenkins []

I moved back to Iowa because of our strong educational system. I stayed working in Iowa because of our strong educational system. I want to remain working in Iowa because of our strong educational system. Let's allow Iowa's students to receive an education they, like me, can be proud of. To do that, I beg you to vote "NO" on this proposed legislation. Let's come together and have conversations with those that are experts in the field and recipients of the services and do what is best for our students. Iowa can be better. This bill will NOT make it better.

01-30-2024

Kathy Cole []

I am asking you to please oppose the amended SSB 3073. This bill was proposed without any input from Iowa educators, Iowa parents, or Iowa AEA staff. There are no points of action in the bill to improve student achievement which seems to be one of the Governor's biggest issues. The AEA system already is an established system that serves all students in the state with oversight from the Department of Education. This bill takes away local control within the schools as well as funding for media services. School districts will not be able to afford the level of services that they have received within the AEA system if this bill passes. This bill will negatively impact educators, students, and families.

01-30-2024

Laylon Baucom []

The AEAs have always made sure to hire licensed professionals to serve their roles, and the amount of unlicensed "interpreters" we see in other states, so the importance of having the AEA systems.We, as Iowans, can not rely on public schools to have the information available to make decisions around hiring in roles that require various licensure.The needs of learners are so varied, that we need this 3rd party to ensure proper and ethical supports be provided.Many kids are neglected or flatout abused at home, and the supports from the AEA are often the only hope anyone gives them towards their future.The AEAs also provide Occupational Therapy for learners of various abilities, even those that need no other supports, solely due to the age of iPads causing children's hands and spines to develop in ways that have not effected previous generations.If we lose AEAs, all learners lose. Everyone loses.

01-30-2024

Sarah Schmidt []

Please vote no on bill HSB542. I have seen the power of AEA's from three sides of the equation: as a family member, as a Special Education teacher in rural Iowa schools, and now as a Special Education Strategist with Northwest AEA. My sister was a student on an IEP in the 90's. Without AEA's guidance my parents have said that the school could have easily "pulled one over on them" without knowing any different, because they aren't educators and know schools like the AEA. They appreciated their advocacy efforts for my sister to use interventions that were actually helping her learn, and making sure that she was in with her peers as much as possible.As a Special Education teacher I was very ill prepared with what I had been taught in college. I knew very little about interventions and how to write IEP's or heaven forbid Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) or Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs). I was so thankful that the very first professional development I ever attended from Northwest AEA was how to write a wellwritten IEP with measurable goals. This was then reinforced when my AEA team met with me weekly. As years went on I relied on my AEA to help me learn interventions and strategies to help my students become the best that they could. It was up to me, as the teacher, to determine if I used what I was taught in my classroom or not. Now as a Strategist I help do for teachers what my AEA staff did for me. I meet with teachers weekly. I help them to write IEP's, problem solve on students who aren't making progress, create visual supports to use with students, and so much more. My teachers depend on that weekly meeting, as they always have things that they are wanting my help with. For families I become a link between them and the school. I hear from parents at least two to three times per week in regards to IEP concerns, such as accommodations/modifications that may or may not be happening, if the BIP is being followed, etc. I work with general education teachers to help put interventions into place that may help students within their own classrooms, to help make sure that BIPs are being followed with fidelity, and to answer any questions that they may have in regards to a student with special needs in their classroom. Without this support I am worried that we will have more teachers walking away from the classroom, causing even more of a problem to our rural districts. I see families not knowing who to turn to when they don't feel heard from the schools. I see achievement gaps growing even wider for students, because IEP data won't used to make instructional decisions. There's more important data to use (such as IEP data) to determine if achievement is being made.So I'll say it again, please vote NO.

01-30-2024

Tammy Schaapherder [jan-peter schaapherder]

As a parent, teacher, and constituent I implore you to vote no. This bill dismantles a system which serves our most vulnerable students. The bill is based on a very small amount of data which has been misconstrued. A bill of this nature requires a thorough, in depth and transparent study. Judging by the number of public comments both here and in the legislative briefings, it is obvious that the people of Iowa are concerned and rightly so. Slow this process down! The amended version does NOT address the concerns brought up by voters. The fact that this bill gives overall power to the Dept. of Ed in Des Moines over local school boards and dissolves AEA boards is the opposite of local control. Rural schools will no longer be able to receive equitable services. Who will replace the specialized services that AEA's provide? Where is the plan of how to make this better? How did the AEA's get accredited last year and have high approval ratings by the Dept. of Education and yet are now deemed a failure? Please look further into the faulty claims and do what is best for kids.

01-30-2024

Brianne Hanson []

As a public school educator in the state of Iowa for the last 16 years, I can not emphasize this enough: DO NOT RESTRUCTURE THE AEA. It is simply not the answer to "doing better for our special education students." If you would like ideas from a public school educator who works with special education students and teachers about how to do better for our special education students, I would be happy to share some ideas with you. Restructuring the AEA is a desperate plea to gain more funding at the cost of services and resources for ALL students and teachers, including special education students.Governor Reynolds claims she listened to the public and made changes to the proposed bill, but she did not listen; she has still taken away needed services and money from the schools after being told how necessary these services and the funding for them are to families, students and teachers. Please consult with teachers, coaches, administrators in public education and AEA staff to give you first hand ideas for improving special education in Iowa.It is irrational to blame the AEAs for this proficiency gap. There are many contributing factors to any student groups success or failure. Things like socioeconomic status, parental involvement, stable home life, lack of professional development for special education teachers, not providing a menu of curricular resources foo for special education teachers to utilize, a lack of funding to staff more special education teachers so students with IEPs can receive individualized instruction in a small group, a lack of funding for para support and lack of para training to support students with IEPs are ALL contributing factors to the proficiency gap. The AEAs do not provide instruction to students and cannot be blamed for this.Governor Reynolds continues to share misleading posts that could convince some Iowans who are unfamiliar with the education system that the AEA is responsible for the proficiency gap.She has continued to cut funding from the AEAs year after year and is now trying to get rid of them with misleading, inaccurate social media posts (reference her facebook posts). We need to be providing more FUNDING the AEAs to support ALL students. There are 35 EL students on average in each classroom in my elementary school. Many of these students do not speak English and there are few resources at the building and district level to bridge this language barrier. Did you know that the AEA has multiple copies of Rosetta Stone available for students to use to develop the English language (other languages as well).The AEA has STEM kits, novel sets, an entire library filled with books that are not available in my school library. EVERY student (and teacher) needs and deserves for AEAs to remain in tact as is, with more funding. Many teachers in my building reach out to the AEA to utilize their services and resources in some capacity. My mom also works at the AEA and is often sharing stories of teachers gratitude for the resources provided by the AEA.I have attended several AEA professional development sessions that pushed my own thinking and the thinking of my colleagues forward. I would invite you to go into many schools in your state so you can see first hand how vital AEAs are to the success of all students. Please consider doing this before voting on this bill. IOWA NEEDS AEAs!

01-30-2024

Cassie Vazquez []

Please support Iowas students by voting NO on this bill. The AEA is the most cost effective and efficient way to provide services to our students, especially in rural Iowa.This bill is bad for kids and bad for Iowa. It is not fiscally responsible.

01-30-2024

Leslie Dickinson []

I am writing in opposition of the bill proposed to end AEA services for all students. The AEA is not and should not be used for only special education services. So many students and educators benefit from the many offerings from the AEA and I hate to think what could happen to our children if services are removed. Schools do not have the money to offer everything that they will lose from the AEA. Our rural districts will not be able to function. These loses will see all students scores dropping and then what? How can anyone let this happen? Listen to your constituents . Take a deep dive and look at the AEAs, see what can be improved, but dont take them away. Dont let this happen to our children.

01-30-2024

Keith Rau []

As a resident of Iowa, I write to urge you to oppose moving SSB 3073, the legislation dealing with AEA services provided to Iowa schools, out of committee.As an educator in Iowa (Iowa Falls CSD) for 38 years, I definitely benefited by the services provided by our regional AEA. These benefits included: media and instructional materials, many which my district would not have been able to provide, or provide near the quality and quantity of; facilitating state initiatives in curriculum development, as well as many other state mandates; training and classes, such as implementing technology in the classroom; providing me with the courses I needed to maintain my teaching license and to continue my professional growth as I served students in Iowa. Even in my retirement the AEA has continued to have an impact on my family. We have grandchildren who have received early intervention assistance from their AEA in both hearing and speech therapy, helping to improve their chances for educational success.I fear most all of these services and resources that I have mentioned (and there are many I have not) will be lost or greatly reduced if this bill is passed in its original or in the proposed amended form. In the bills amended form, local control is stripped away by centralizing power to the Department of Education. As a result, a school districts ability to access AEA services will always be in doubt, subject to the whims of the Department of Educations director. This cant help buthave a negative impact on Iowa children and families. School districts, on their own, will not be able to afford to offer the same level or quality of services now provided by our AEAs, if they can offer them at all. The impact of these wholesale changes will undoubtably have a negative affect on all schools, but I feel the impact on families, students, and schools in rural areas, such as where I taught and still live today, will be the most profound.I strongly oppose this bill and ask that, after weighing the impact that it will have on schools in your district, you will oppose this bill.Thank you for your consideration,

01-30-2024

Samantha Wilson []

AEA is vital for our children. People don't understand just how much they do. Especially for trauma. With all these school shootings, and other horror stories, these kids need the chance to have reliable sources. I know from experience, that trauma in any form, needs therapy. These kids need AEA. The parents need AEA. Do not take an amazing thing away from our children and parents. Why are people who know NOTHING about AEA and Schooling in charge of making these decisions.

01-30-2024

Emma Dworzynski []

The AEA is one of the most important resources that is dedicated to helping schools. They are invested in all the schools wellbeings and provide so much help to students. Without them schools, teachers, parents and students will loose out on all they offer. Students will especially suffer without the support of the AEA. The AEA works to ensure that all students are able to learn and learn well. Without the AEA students will not be given the opportunity to successfully learn. The AEA also supports parents and teachers by providing services that they cannot do themselves. The AEA is a great support to Iowa schools. Without them schools will greatly suffer.

01-30-2024

Kathy Soetmelk []

I urge you to vote no on HSB 542. The ability to make decisions needs to remain with those people closest to the schools, educators, and children. If we are to be people governed by the people, then let's keep the decision making ability where it is. This bill will make it difficult for rural schools to obtain resources that enhance the students' learning. Iowa is known for its exceptional education system. Let's keep it that way. Please vote no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Chris Hageman [Parent, special education teacher, consultant]

As the parent of a now 24 year old daughter with intellectual disabilities who received services from the AEA for 19 years, I beg you to listen to your constituents! The AEA has a long standing history in Iowa for providing equability of services for all students across the state. This will harm our students especially those in smaller communities! Please take time to have a better plan before you toss a long standing, supportive entity in our educational system aside!

01-30-2024

Melinda Stonebraker []

Im a parent in a rural district that depends on services provided by the AEA. Im especially concerned about loosing AEAs special ed services, mental health services, and early access screenings. Please vote no on this bill and continue to fund AEAs fully. Public education needs more money not less.

01-30-2024

Marcy Dewitt []

Iowas AEAs provide needed services to students, leveling the playing field so that children can succeed. As a mental health therapist, I understand the important role these agencies play in bringing resources to students, especially in rural areas like the one in which I practice. The benefits to students impact them in a positive way not only while they are in school, but can have lasting effects throughout their lives by improving self esteem. Please do not implement legislation that will diminish these agencies.

01-30-2024

Kari Rea []

I write to you as parent, special education teacher, special education consultant, taxpayer, voter, and Iowan. Please vote no on SSB 3073. I taught special education for fifteen years and relied on the expertise of my AEA SLP, school social worker, school psychologist, special education consultant, OT, and PT. Eleven years ago I joined Northwest AEA as a special education consultant. The needs in our schools have increased every year. In response, our agency has grown to include Best Practice Coaches in behavior, specially designed instruction, and academics. In addition to Child Find responsibilities, I participate in problem solving with building administration and leadership teams on a weekly basis to develop plans to meet the needs of every student, no matter where they come from or their skill level. We develop plans and then monitor progress. When progress doesn't occur or doesn't occur fast enough, we look at the plan and make changes. We work closely with families to meet their needs and answer their questions, sometimes meeting monthly to ensure effective communication. If you are worried about the progress of students in special education, I invite you to visit a public school setting to observe the challenges teachers face AND the success stories happening in every building in our state. Before supporting this bill, please work with and listen to those who are in the schools and classrooms, and the parents of the children facing challenges on a day to day basis. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Suzie Maas []

I oppose this bill, even in its amended form. AEAs ensure equitable services to all Iowa schools and students. It is an efficient and cost effective system. Instead of passing this bill, lets take time to look at representative and accurate data to determine what our Iowa students need to support their achievement. Lets stop pointing fingers and blaming each other and, instead, work together to figure out how we can support them. This book does nothing to support special education students. Instead, it tears apart a system of support for teachers, parents, and students and replaces it with private companies and fee based services. Vote no. Save our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Tara McCaffery [Dcg]

As a tier 2 support teacher, I cant imagine what my job would be like without the help of our AEA. I am in constant contact with different supports from the AEA who help problem solve students. The training I have received and the advice I have received has helped shape me into the teacher I am and has touched so many students lives. Please, please keep all positions in the AEA!

01-30-2024

Amanda Elliott []

Please vote NO to SSB 3073 and protect our AEAs. As a speech language pathologist, I rely on student data and research to guide treatment decisions for students every day. I ask for the same thoughtful process to be used before considering any changes to the current AEA system. As a mother in a rural community, AEAs provide equitable opportunities to my children and their educators that would not be possible without the AEA. The proposed changes will decrease efficiency of supports already in place and hurt rural students the most. Please support all of Iowa's children and their families by saying NO to this bill!

01-30-2024

Patricia Fehlberg [Retired GWAEA OT ]

Hello! My name is Pat Fehlberg. I am a retired GWAEA Occupational Therapist living in NW Cedar Rapids. My family first encountered GWAEA shortly after moving to Iowa from Illinois in 1993. Two of our three children had developmental delays which threatened to impact their education. We were quickly connected to early intervention specialists who worked our family, sharing strategies and exercises we could do at home to help bridge the gap. Experiences with both daughters were quite successful and later, the girls enjoyed participation in PACT, as well as College for Kids. Ultimately, they graduated as members of the Nationsl Honor Society and attended Iowa Stste University. Both daughters now live ,work , pay taxes and vote in Iowa. The AEA system is a shining example of what works in Iowa. As a 21 year employee at GWAEA, I worked very hard with teams of colleagues, teachers, parents , administrators and students to improve access to learning. Using AEA media and technology services, staff distribution center, and teacher work center, I was able to trial assistive devices with students in rural and urban districts assuring a good fit and reducing unnecessary costs . I am so proud of our Iowa AEA system, and thankful that our state has demonstrated such a deep appreciation and investment for our future citizens. I urge you to continue your support of the full AEA system. We do not provide special education instruction rather we support access to learning. The changes proposed to the AEA system do not make sense, and as a result, appear to be politically motivated. I think this would be a horrible reflection on our state! Please continue your good work on behalf of the people of Iowa , and do what is best for our people and our State. Thank you very much for your consideration in this matter.

01-30-2024

Jolynn Hefel []

I live in the Dubuque Community school district and the area education agencies are an essential part of public education in my local school district.Please do not change our AEAs! The AEAs support the already short staffed schools in helping children with individual needs to help them advance their abilities to full potential. School staff need the AEA to help support the great they are doing. Money has already been pulled from public schools, please do NOT take away critical help that students need. Educate kids, they are our future! Iowa used to be known for their great education system let's not let our kids down by reducing support for them to learn when they have barriers.

01-30-2024

Jane Murphy []

As a registered Republican, parent, and 18 year employee of Central Rivers AEA, I oppose SSB3073. If the bill passes, teachers, support personnel, and even administrators will be scrambling to fill in the gaps in services that would be created. Rural districts would be especially impacted. For the past 18 years, its been a privilege to serve Iowas children and families. Most recently, Ive worked in Early Access, helping build the capacity of parents and families to improve outcomes for our youngest learners those who are from birth to 3 years old, by working directly with them in their homes. I am asking for your help to protect the supportive framework AEAs have built for Iowa children, families, and educators. The components and services provided by AEAs are all needed to work together seamlessly. Its ok for members of the Republican party to disagree with our governor on this issue. Please help by voting no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Emily LeFebvre []

I urge you to vote against the dismantlement of services the Iowa AEAs provide as the removal of services would be detrimental to the education system in Iowa, especially to rural school districts. Iowa AEAs provide a multitude of services , including crisis counseling when a tragedy like the death of a student or school staff member takes place. It provides independent professional development and teaching license renewal credit opportunities to help teachers continue to stay highly qualified and in classrooms for free or at an affordable rate; which teachers often pay from their own pocket. AEAs mentor new teachers by providing guidance in best practice teaching and support to lessen the stress a first year teacher carries. Iowa AEAs help plan and help with follow through for school improvement plans to provide students safe and rigorous learning environments and so much more. All of Iowas AEA services are so essential to be betterment of our students education experience, and the removal of these services would then fall on the already underfunded and overworked schools and teachers or the permanent removal altogether.

01-30-2024

Russ Nay []

Everyone I have talked to with direct experience in the education field and specifically AEAs tells me that this is a bad idea. When my parents moved to this state, Iowa public schools consistently ranked in the top 3 nationwide, as they did when my kids attended school. Now we rank near the middle of the pack, and bills like this one are sure to continue that slide. Rest assured, I will vote AGAINST anyone that votes FOR this bill!

01-30-2024

Michele Rogers []

Democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. You have heard from your people and your people have said NO to this bill. Now, you get to choose. Are you going to kill this bill or are you going to tell us by supporting this bill you have no interest in being reelected in the districts you swore to represent and you choose to be bullied in to passing this bill instead? Absolutely your choice. You have been told NO in so many ways, by so many people, and with so many reasons imploring you NOT to support this bill. How about this? Vote NO and then actually go back in to your districts, roll up your sleeves, put your boots on the ground and shadow a staff member of your home AEA for a day? I have one more question for you to consider. When has it ever been a good idea that one entity has complete control over anything? Since I dont have faith in any of you to do the right thing for the better good, let me be absolutely clear. Why would you give absolute control over the Iowa education system to the Department of Education and more specifically, its Director?

01-30-2024

Elizabeth Oloughlin []

The AEA has provided many services to countless families close to me. They help provide options for children to communicate and to be mobile through Early ACCESS services. This services are wonderful for working families because the providers can go to the home at a convenient time or go to childs daycare to best work around family work schedules. The AEA services also provide many materials to help children communicate in the schools. Every child deserves a voice! Please, find it in your heart to support education for Iowa to have the best future possible.

01-30-2024

Vicki DeMoss []

I employ you to oppose SSB 3073, if not for the rationale that I have previously shared with you in prior correspondence as a parent, grandparent, and an occupational therapist for the last 14 years serving children from birth to age 21, their families, and teachers in Early Access and in rural and urban schools, but also because both the original and amended versions do not outline the specific provisions that are being proposed to ensure how all the current services and supports being provided on behalf of and to children within the general and special education settings will be provided with the proposed legislation. There is a multitude of data sources and evidence available that I am confident has been provided to you that overwhelmingly disputes the few vague, and misrepresented information that has been spewed as a basis for the proposed legislation. What is indisputable is that shifting all of the oversight, organization, and management of the services that AEAs currently provides to essentially ONE individual, the Director of Education, who answers only to the Governor without appropriate checks and balances, is not ethical, and not representative of a democracy that serves the public interest. There is absolutely no credible evidence that the proposed changes to the wellestablished current AEA/educational structure and services will result in any surmountable improvement to the student performance in the state of Iowa. Please, instead, take the time to study and offer transparency in a comprehensive review of our current system with all stakeholders, i.e. parents, teachers, expert licensed professionals, and administrators to identify where improvements can be made. Thank you,

01-30-2024

Steve Gude []

HiI am a retired school speechlanguage pathologist. Part of my career was spent working for Keystone AEA in NE Iowa, so I saw firsthand how AEAs work. The beauty of the AEAs is how services can be provided, in both special education and general education, over a large geographic area and also to lowincidence populations of students. My fear is that those who will suffer the most from this proposal are those students, families, and educators working in smaller, rural districts. Here in Iowa, we have a good system in place and don't need to make major changes. And also, whatever happened to the idea of local control? I am strongly opposed to SSB 3073 and urge a NO vote. Thank you.

01-30-2024

Maddison Maddock []

I am a teacher speaking on behalf of the incredible work our AEA partners do for schools. Why? Because I need help. I need people every day to help me become a better educator and person. I witness consistent, loving, caring AEA experts walk into our buildings daily with one goal take care of others. I have the privilege every day to watch the best students and staff share their gifts and talents with each other. We preach about a Growth Mindset, and to face any challenges in front of us head on. Guess who is there to partner with us to help us all grow? Our AEA heroes. They are on the ground level with our kids and teachers, and truly, and I mean truly, impact every single student one way or another throughout the school year. Our children, our childrens teacher(s), our childrens administrators, our children's buildings and school districts are better because of the AEA.

01-30-2024

Sheree Stadler [BCSDS]

I am a parent of a child with special needs. AEA followed her growth and monitoring. Came to my house, helped ensure I was connected with resources to help her grow and developed to her fullest potential! As I work in the schools now, we have so many kids that need assistance with learning, or help with learning how to cope with their emotions AND then BRIDGE the path for student to teacher so the child is learning! Assisting with the Para's and teachers on what to do differently, so the childs learning abilities are able to be met. AEA supported the Para Educator classes, they provide the tools we need! They specialize in so many areas. The general school district is not able to keep with with what they have to do now! AEA helps bridge the gap so we are able to do better. I support we kept AEA! This agency is needed! They do so much for the communities!

01-30-2024

Dana Sanders []

Keep the AEA services as they already are. Any of these adjustments are going to strip away local control and the desperately needed services for all of the children. Enough with playing politics and kissing the butt of the right wing groups. Anybody that is caving to the governor on this should be ashamed of themselves. The people matter more than her.

01-30-2024

Deanne Hobbs []

Please continue to support our AEA by voting NO to HSB 542. People do not realize all of the support AEAs give to our public schools unless you are actually there. Come visit and see them in action. Support Iowa teachers and Iowa students by voting NO!

01-30-2024

Julie Stephens []

Please slow down this review process. Gather feedback from AEA stakeholders. There are so many vital services provided to Iowans. Ive served on school district advisory committees. Ive seen AEA services in action. Bulldozing this through without thoughtful consideration of impact is not good for current and next generation Iowans.

01-30-2024

Theresa Cecill []

I have already submitted comments, but my research demands more. First, I found the report on Iow special ed performance, 2022 mmm. NAEP tested only random SD students. Fourth graders were below average in reading and math, but eighth grade scores were 16 to 23rd. Shame, shame Gov Reynolds, As I previously mentioned, Iowa scores compared to other states may be deceptive.Iowa has been tagged as " in need of assistance" by the federal DE because of noncompliance. This so makes me laugh. Compliance on rules and regulations so, so often have absolutely nothing to do with improved student academic outcomes and , as a retired school psychologist, I often regarded as time consuming and interfering with developing meaningful IEPs. There were often administrators and consultants who saw this as their main job, not student progress. I thought personnel had focussed more on changing this destructive approach. The federal and state DEs are too far separated from the process to understand. That also includes Guideline Consulting.

01-30-2024

Mark Digmann []

I have several concerns about this proposed legislation. First, the idea of cutting services from the AEAs in the state has, in my opinion, an underlying slippery slope. I am concerned with the idea that schools could go in and contract private services that the AEAs currently provide. I don't believe that any part of public education should go to private entities. My concern is that if districts choose to go with private companies to provide these services, what other services may follow? The idea of anything private about public schools raises a big flag.Secondly, as the chief negotiator of our contract with Western Dubuque schools, I applaud the efforts to raise minimum teacher salaries. However, you also need to consider those that have advanced degrees and years of experience. I've gone back and looked at our settlements and SSA since 2016. If SSA would have been 4% each year, our base salary would already be at $50,000 and that money would have trickled all the way down our salary schedule. This proposal works in terms of attracting new teachers, but an effort also needs to be made to retain the teachers that work every day to educate our students. Our current salary schedule meets the $62,000 threshold at year 24. What is going to be done to help ensure that our teachers already in the salary schedule can get to a salary over the $62,000 required at year 12, get a raise, and feel as though they are appreciated?On a side note, while we have been able to get increases since 2016 in salary, most, if not all, of that salary increase has gone into increases in health insurance premiums. While I won't say that teachers (or other fields, as this has impacted everyone) have taken a cut in pay because their salaries have gone up, I will say that people are going backwards in that their insurance premiums increase a level at or above their salary increases. We anticipate another big increase in insurance premiums again this bargaining session, so something needs to be done so teachers can at least cover this increase in cost.In short, I encourage you to vote NO on this bill, SSB 3073.Thank you for your time and consideration.Mark Digmann

01-30-2024

Michael Maas []

I am writing you in concern to Bill number SSB 3073. I would like to say that I am not in favor of changing the Area Education Agencies (AEA). The changes that the governor is proposing are too drastic and too quick. I do not understand how the changes that are being made will benefit students. Giving schools a choice to choose will not really be a choice for almost all districts. They will not really have options as most of Iowa is a rural state! The new system that the governor is looking at will end up costing schools and tax payers more money. These private services will cost thousands and thousands of dollars for these districts. Maybe the school doesnt need a certain service every year, but when they do the AEA is there to support in whatever way the school needs. If there is a child who is hard of hearing, they have an audiologist, if there is a child with severe autism there is a team of people who can help with that, if there is a training that needs to be provided to teachers or paras there are AEA members to help with that, if there are resources that are too expensive for the school to buy there is media for that. By changing the AEAs in this capacity it is greatly going to lessen the education of our students, teachers, school administration, para professionals, community members and families. I am asking you to please vote no to HSB 542.

01-30-2024

Melissa Blohm []

I keep trying to put all of these pieces together and it just doesnt make sense. It makes me sick to my stomach thinking about the future of Iowa education. Please slow this down and bring the right people to the table governor, dept of ed, aea, legislators to figure this all out. Lets do it for Iowas future. Please do whats right.

01-30-2024

Deborah Mendoza []

Please oppose HSB542! FOR Iowa students, their families, AND their teachers need AEA services intact. I follow moms of autism and many other special needs blindness, deaf and hard of hearing, the list goes on and on, these parents NEED the guidance of the professionals who see their needs, get to know them and their children!AEA provides an umbrella for many different professionals to team up to fill the deficits of the services available for each individual needs. Please oppose HSB542 and it's ammendments.

01-30-2024

Penny Schlagel []

Please consider the ramifications of SSB 3073 and VOTE NO. As a physical therapist working in rural school districts in northwest Iowa, I can assure you there is a need for the structured services provided by Area Education Agencies. I work with children from Birth to 21 years of age, many with significant disabilities that require many different services throughout their lives. The AEAs have these services in place and are ready to step forward and support the students, families and schools. While this bill claims to put the control of these services in the hands of the local districts, it also puts the responsibility of finding and providing those services squarely on their shoulders. In the case of my rural districts, there are few physical therapists available and almost none with pediatric experience. The schools may be required to contract with hospitals from farther away, forcing them to pay for travel time to and from the school resulting in extremely costly services. The same issues will arise with other services such as occupational therapy and speech therapy. It should be noted that all of these services are Federally mandated and are not optional. This is but ONE area of this bill that will put an increased strain on local districts. One final note: I love my job. I truly feel like I make a difference in the lives of people who need me. The thought of leaving them to make do with services that dont exist, hurts my heart. Thank you for considering the outcomes of this bill and voting NO when it comes before you.

01-30-2024

Laura Zimmerman []

As a mom of a child who has received special education services since he was 3, I can say unequivocally that he would not have had access to the right supports, resources, or IEP without the AEA. He would be failing if it had been the school alone. We need the AEAs. Please vote no on this bill.

01-30-2024

Terri Parker []

The opposition to this bill has already produced many amendments. That should be the first sign that there are concerns that need to be thoughtfully discussed. I encourage our representatives to table voting on this piece of legislature and convene a group of Iowa stakeholders to examine how to best meet the needs of all students in our state. Examine all the data. Hear all the voices. Do not rush important decisions without transparency and consensus.

01-30-2024

William Azinger [Mediapolis HS Teacher]

Dear Members:First off, Thank You for your time.I have heard that many State Senators, and Representatives, have turned off their emails due to the barrage of emails against this bill. I certainly hope this is not true, because if it is, our voices are obviously not being heard. I pray that that is not happening and all of our calls and emails are being read by those that represent us. I am writing to express my sincere dismay in the AEA bill before you.I believe, as a math teacher of 35 years, that this bill will have a detrimental outcome on all of our students in Iowa if passed. Even with the so called adjustments that have been made. As it appears to me, the Governor, believes that the AEA's are a waste of money. Though she is basing her reasoning on the NAEP test scores from over 5 years ago, during a year in which only 0.3% of special education students in our state even took the test. Each of our special ed students are assigned goals to work towards. Those are the outcomes we should be looking at. How are these kids doing toward their individual goals? Using data from a half decade old test score where a minute amount of special ed students even participated is a dereliction of authority. Due diligence would call for taking some time to study the AEA's and what they are offering out kids, both general ed and special ed, and the cost of such services. We are getting a great deal in our small communities. Though the bill states each school can hire the AEA for these services, I believe it is a matter of time before the Governor, and anyone who votes for this bill, phases the AEA's out. The Governor has stressed reducing property taxes again. Doing away with the Levy for AEA media services certainly does this now doesn't it. This will be an extra expense for every school district, large and small. Please take the time to study the ramifications of this bill and the profound affect it will have on all of our student population in Iowa. Reducing what we have will only create more work for our AEA staffers, as they will be required to cover more districts, which I predict will cause numerous breakdowns in the services our kids are currently getting. Please think this through before dismantling AEA services for so many. Thank You for taking the time to read my opinion. Sincerely,William Azinger35 year veteran teacher who has seen and experienced firsthand how the AEA system has benefitted our youth in Iowa, including my own children.

01-30-2024

Kate Gerber []

This bill is not in favor of what we need for our public school system. Our NWAEA has done wonders for our school district. This would impact students, educators, administration, communities and more. Keep our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Maria Price [Parent, Educator]

If lawmakers truly want to improve education in Iowa, and support children who receive special education services and their families, they must oppose this bill. Even in its amended form, this legislation would destroy a system that has served generations of Iowa children, families, and school districts with what is widely regarded as a highquality educational structure of services and support. As a classroom teacher of the Deaf and hard of hearing, I depended on AEA professional development, expert services, and support for my students and to improve my own practice as an educator. When I went to work for the AEA, I saw not only the work behind the scenes, but the heart behind that work. AEAs work to build relationships and trust with not only students and teachers, but with their families and district leaders. It is why these stakeholders consistently give AEAs highsatisfaction ratings and are the ones standing up against this bill and for the preservation of AEAs. By dismantling the AEAs, this legislation would do irreparable damage to the educational system of Iowa that will have longreaching effects for generations. This bill will, in fact, do the exact opposite of what it claims to address. It would create inequities and inefficiencies that do not need to happen. Local AEAs build trust and can address the needs unique to their area school districts with efficiency that would be lost in the changes proposed by this bill. The loss of efficiency caused by this legislation would cause children, some the neediest and most vulnerable among us, to fall through the cracks. Please dont let this happen. Please stand against this bill and for the children, families, and schools of Iowa.

01-30-2024

Emily Marcantonio []

Please vote NO and carefully consider the grave consequences for all parties affected by this billIowa students, educators, and districts are at risk of losing valuable support and resources. The severe lack of understanding of what our AEAs do, paired with the rate at which this bill was presented proves to be a truly reckless decision with harmful implications. Education is a partnership but this bill was created with zero collaboration or input from stakeholders. Please listen to the outcry of your constituents, vote no, and protect our AEAs and those served.

01-30-2024

Janet Norman []

I am urging a NO vote on this bill and its amendments. I believe there is inaccurate data provided by an out of state company without collecting information from State stakeholders.This bill will affect children and schools in an adverse way. I do not believe the Department of Education has the bandwidth or the expertise to take the place of the AEAs. In speaking with educators in other states, the cost of services from online education providers to rural districts is prohibitive. Speaking with one Special Education administrator, their district paid $30,000 for a 6 week maternity leave. The cost from these companies for a full time Special Education provider will be much more This is the future of rural schools who choose to go with providers who only provide special Education online services with extremely expensive. Online education does not foster great testing data. The feedback from your constituents is an overwhelming NO vote on this bill. Please stand with those constituents who invited you to serve as their voice.

01-30-2024

Douglas DeWolf []

I believe that this is a bad bill. Students, especially rural students will suffer. An independent AEA is vital to our education system. If an employee works for the school district they cannot be a true advocate for a student. If a student needs an accommodation and the school doesn't provide it there will be no one to fight for them.we were told that Iowa is the only state with independent AEAs. We were not told why that is a bad thing. We were told this is about student achievement, but his bill does nothing to address that. No one is saying that out system cannot be improved, but this bill is not the way to do it. I implore you not to support this bill

01-30-2024

Melissa Taylor []

Please! This is a time when our children need the elected officials to support them! So many of the students in Iowa are living in less than fortunate situations and our schools, along with the AEAs provide a great deal of resources! Do not support this bill. It is not what is best for our students, our schools, or our educators!

01-30-2024

Beth H []

Please vote no for SSB 3073. The services AEA provides to all schools in our state give all children equitable services. They provide valuable services to children, families, daycares and schools that can not be provided by passing this bill. Listen to the people of Iowa you are representing and vote no.

01-30-2024

Tara Christiansen [Mom]

My name is Tara Christiansen. I respectfully ask you to please, please, protect our AEAs and ALL of the services they have successfully provided to the students, families, teachers, and administrators in Iowa's public school systems. My husband and I have three children who attend Boyer Valley CSD in Dunlap, Iowa. While our children are not served with an IEP, our children have benefited by attending a district which is served by Green Hills AEA. With the help of the fully trained and highly educated staff at Green Hills AEA, Boyer Valley Elementary improved from "Commendable" in 2022 to High Achieving in 2023; Boyer Valley MS/HS improved from "Acceptable" in 2022 to "Commendable" in 2023 on the Iowa School Performance Profile from the Department of Education. Specifically, with the help and guidance of the school improvement team from Green Hills AEA, the district teachers, staff, and administrators analyzed student data (academic & demographic among other data). Based on data analysis, teachers and staff were supported & trained by Green Hills AEA reading and math consultants regarding how to better gather and use appropriate student data. Green Hills AEA reading and math consultants then trained staff with evidence & researchbased targeted supports and evidencebased interventions to implement with general education students, as well as students who are atrisk, and those being served with IEPs. Consequently, all students even studentsServices such as I have described above, which increase the achievement of ALL students, are provided by the AEA in a fiscally responsible way. Rural districts would not have access to or budget to have services such as these if this bill was approved. Privatization of these services would lead to inefficient service delivery to students, families, teachers, staff, and administrators. Privatized services also have the purpose of making money, rather than helping students gain skills to close gaps. Any decision made without thoughtfully addressing how services and support will be provided to all stakeholders is a disservice to our students, will not address service efficiency for our students, teachers, staff, and administrators, nor increase student achievement. Please, protect Iowa's AEAs and all the services they provide!Respectfully, Tara Christiansen

01-30-2024

Julie Honan []

First, and foremost, I am asking you to save the AEA's from this disastrous bill. My 2 children have attended a small, rural district since kindergarten. They have received so many benefits from the AEA without even realizing it. Their teachers used book kits, stem activities, and media which all impacted their learning for the better. My daughter is a part of HOPE squad which was brought to our region by AEA employees. It terrifies me to believe that in just mere months that all of this and more will be gone for our IA students. If there is a crisis...what is your plan? How are you going to guarantee that there is equal access to highquality educational opportunities and resources to ALL students? Who is going to offer the leadership and guidance to school districts on educational issues/curriculum, etc when science, math, and reading consultants jobs are eliminated? Who is going to manage the workloads of those in speciality positions (SLP, PT, OT)? Speaking of which, the chaos that is being created by Kim Reynold's bill will drive educators away from our state. Don't we want the best? Don't our students deserve the best? There are WAY too many concerns with this bill that need to be discussed by ALL parties (especially by those that have dedicated their lives to education). This voting Iowa constituent wants you to vote NO on any form of this bill.

01-30-2024

Eric Saylor []

I would call this bill a solution in search of a problem, except the solution is far worse than whatever problems the AEAs currently facemost of which can be laid at the feet of the legislature's open disdain for public education. This legislation appears to serve one constituent: Governor Reynolds. It was written by an out of state group at the behest ofwell, we aren't entirely sure. It certainly doesn't seem to be coming from Iowa teachers, school district administrators, school boards, or parents of students, nearly all of whom are united in opposition to it. The speed and pressure with which the governor is attempting to push this through, without heeding the warnings, advice, and knowledge of education experts across the state, strongly suggests that she wants it to be approved before people realize just how destructive her gutting of the AEA system would be to their children and schools. There is no call for and no significant public support for this bill: please do the right thing and vote no.

01-30-2024

Kelsey Owens []

Legislators, please prove me right in that we are united, strong advocates for the AEA, Schools, Families and Students of Iowa by VOTING NO to HSB 542/SSB 3073. The amendments do not go far enough to protect Iowas students and they do nothing to improve their outcomes. I beg you to stop this attack against AEAs, slow down, learn more about how they work, what the financials look like, what the data actually says, and understand the real life human impact this bill will have (for generations of Iowans). AEAs are not above change, please bring ALL stakeholders to the table so that we can grow together in the right direction. A fellow commenter spoke the hard truth with this comment vote this bill in, get voted out.

01-30-2024

Michelle Grabosch []

As a mother with two kids in the Iowa public school system in a rural district, I ask that you please vote no on HSB 542. I have grave concerns that, if this bill were to pass, our district and many others serving rural Iowans would lack the resources needed to provide students with access to science kits, equipment, learning resources and specialists that larger schools could provide. Additionally,teachers wouldn't have the same access to professional development materials that they have now. Iowa already has a deficit of educators. If these services are no longer available, we risk losing more teachers and disproportionately affect rural schools where even fewer services will be economically viable. All children in our state deserve the right to the same quality of educational resources regardless of zip code or their mental and physical capabilities. Please vote no HSB 542.

01-30-2024

Robin Hopperstad []

Iowa Area Education Agencies help all Iowa Schools have access to specialists, equipment, and resources for our students in Iowa to thrive. Governor Reynolds proposed amendment of SSB 3073 will take away local control from schools which means unequal access to resources, specialized services and opportunities for students among large and small districts. Vote NO to SSB 3073.

01-30-2024

Kevin Cole []

I grew up in a small rural community and understand the challenges in providing quality education with limited resources. I required speech services and it was challenging situation. The services I received greatly benefited me. SSB3073 would have a large negative effect on our schools by removing local control and decreasing educational services/technology support.

01-30-2024

Amanda Seeley []

Senators, Please listen to the great people of Iowa & oppose this bill. SSB 3073 does not address ways to improve student achievement, proposes a huge reduction of local control, & diminishes the opportunity for ALL of Iowas students to access equitable educational services and supports. I urge you to pause & engage in collaborative problem solving with Iowan stakeholders & work together to make a positive impact on ALL students.

01-30-2024

Elizabeth Kosmicki []

Please vote NO on SSB 3073. I am writing to you as a citizen of Iowa. I am particularly concerned about the June 1st deadline for school districts to state how they would like to have their special education services provided whether it be through the AEA, in house, or through a private provider. What is the timeline for then implementing this change? As a speechlanguage pathologists with Grant Wood AEA, I provide legally mandated services over the summer, even when school is not in session this includes working directly with students (Extended School Year services) and conducting evaluations. Grant Wood AEA contracts end June 30th, and employees typically know months ahead if the contract is being extended. If a school district decides June 1st that they want in house or private services, what will happen to students receiving summer services if they cannot hire a speechlanguage pathologist by July 1st? I am very concerned students and families will experience gaps in critical services if the bill passes as currently written. Please take more time to gather information.

01-30-2024

Jane O'Leary []

I am an elementary principal in a small rural district. I beg you to ask the tough questions, look at the real data and stand up for the rural schools. The pace at which this bill is moving will not only be a disadvantage to all students but specifically to the students in rural schools. I am already seeing AEA staff leaving for other jobs. The bigger districts will have the funds to hire the staff, we will not and certainly not in the current expected timeframe. Please slow down and make decisions that will benifit all children in all schools.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Appel []

As a professional who has worked in education for 15 years and a mother of two young Iowa students, I strongly and wholeheartedly oppose this bill. This bill is based on misleading information and takes decisionmaking power away from local schools and places it in the hands of the Department of Ed. The efficiency of the AEAs ensures that every district (even small districts), every school, and every single student has the exact same opportunities and resources. Every district. Every school. Every student. Please listen to your constituents and allow us to have a voice.

01-30-2024

Shaylee Vander Velden []

I am writing to ask that you DO NOT support HSB 542. This bill would be detrimental to Iowa's students, schools, staff, and families. I was recently voted onto my local school board and have had the chance to hear from and talk to several families, teachers, and staff in our district. Everyone I have heard from is in support of AEA's and their current structure. While I understand the need to increase support for our special education students, a goal I fully support, this bill is NOT the answer.I urge you to not rush this bill through and work with our AEAs and highly educated professionals to come up with a bill that works for our students, educators, schools, and families.Please vote NO on this bill. Thank you for your time.

01-30-2024

Ron Russell []

I've reviewed the basics of the amendments to this bill, and want to share that the small improvements are not nearly enough in fact, some of the provisions may cause even worse outcomes! The amendment inexplicably takes decision making authority away from the local level and directly to one person an appointed Director of Education. What is billed as something bringing control back to districts, seems to be the opposite. And asking AEAs to be able to operate effectively when districts will not inform them if they want services until June 1st is completely unreasonable. How can AEAs be expected to have adequate staff to meet the requested services when budgets are set in the Spring, and the number of districts served won't be known until June. This seems to be designed to CAUSE the AEAs to fail in a new system. The other most devastating part of this bill is that the funds going to small districts will NOT be enough for them to contract services needed from the AEA or any other entity! It seems clear that this bill will cause great inequity for students across the state (students in small districts will have diminished or no services). The primary reason for the development of the AEA system in 1974 was to create equity in services and make sure all students with disabilities receive the services required under IDEA, and needed to ensure their success. Finally, I would encourage legislators to consider the data so many misleading statements of "AEA is failing our students" have been launched, and this claim is based on misinterpretation and the wrong data! Please vote "no" to this legislation. Please demand a full review of this situation, a full review of the AEA system as needed, and get the "rest of the story" so that these false claims of "the AEA is failing our students" is not accepted at face value. I truly believe that if you look a a full range of data and accurate interpretations, you will find a much different picture of the AEA system effective and efficient in meeting district and student needs in so many ways. Please know that the AEA system is willing to look at continuous improvement and change as needed. But the current bill will truly cause the AEA system to fail, and many small districts and many children with disabilities will be hurt in the process. Please listen to the voices of your constituents. With the unprecedented opposition to this bill from a vast array of citizens, educators, and parents, I will find it hard to accept that our elected officials will push this bill through for political reasons.

01-30-2024

Marie Lane []

Please do not support this bill. AEAs are essential to support students, parents and teachers. They encounter numerous difficult cases and work diligently to support the best possible outcomes for the life of the child while supporting the teachers and creating a better learning environment for other students. My oldest son is now 22. He was nonverbal until 41/2 and was a challenging case. He is high functioning and works full time, supports himself and is about to buy a house. While he is fortunate enough to be able to do this, he did this through the countless hours of support provided by speech pathologists, education specialists, psychologists, occupational therapists and many more. The AEA taught me to be a better parent. When he was nonverbal, they taught me how to use sign language and the PECS system. When he struggled with behavior, they helped to figure out why and what solutions we should put into place. They never gave up on him, no matter how challenging things were. They never gave up on helping me to be a better parent either. He graduated high school with a 3+ gpa and has now been at his full time job for almost two years. He is a taxpaying contributing member of society. While he still needs help from us with learning how to adult, he is an amazing success story of all of those who have held him up throughout the years. My gratitude for the work of all of these professionals over the years is overwhelming. I do not want to see any child miss out on the gift we have received. Our state needs children to be supported by professionals who serve all counties throughout the state regardless of the schools funding or resources. The AEA staff are wellnetworked, provide support for each other, training and have experience with unique and challenging cases through their experience at many schools. In closing, I would like to share a short story of one of my sons initial successes. There I was seated on an uncomfortable brown chair, sweating as I tried to contain my busy oneyearold on my lap. I wish I would have taken my coat off. My husband already had the camera out. He was obviously shooting pictures of our son. Where was he? I would ask, but that huge lump was already forming in my throat, preventing me from asking. Dodging my husbands arm and a few heads in front of me, I anxiously scanned the group of five and six yearolds decorated with brown construction paper antlers made from their own handprints and red dot snickered noses. What if I wont be able to see him? Worry swept over me just before I saw him standing on the end in the front row. The chorus began and he was singing! He was really singing! He even did the movements. I was so proud of him. It was absolutely unbelievable seeing him up there. There was no way to prevent the tears from flowing. Time had stopped.It was only a year ago that we were concentrating on two to three word sentences and only a little before he had finally called me Mommy. Today he was singing! Maybe some people thought of tonight as an obligation or a simple tradition. For me, tonight was extraordinary. It was a night I wasnt sure would ever be possible for my son.Thank you for taking the time to read my comments.

01-30-2024

Teena Seguin []

I am writing in opposition to the AEA reform bill. I have five sons, and all of them have benefited from the collaborative services the AEA provides to our small school districts in the area. They have received special education support, mental health support, literacy support, and probably many other AEA supports behind the scenes that have improved their teacher's ability to educate them. I am so confused why the timeline of this supposed AEA reform needs to occur so quickly without a real study of the needs that Governor Reynolds supposedly thinks this will fix. The AEA is the school's local team to help them address many needs of their students. I don't understand how anyone can think it would be a good idea to give so much power to the Department of Education. This bill allegedly gives "local control" but nothing about this plan really gives local control. So many aspects of this bill require Department of Education approval. Now school districts lose their local team of passionate providers who work so well together and instead many rural school districts will not be able to replace these providers. Mental health needs in our area are immense, and we have very few mental health providers. If this bill passes, schools will also no longer be able to share mental health school social workers who provide free mental health sessions through the AEA to students in school settings. I am very scared how many suicidal, depressed, anxious students will no longer receive the mental health help they need. Please consider slowing this process down and really examining what changes need to actually happen to address the special education gap. Please don't wipe out many services that our rural schools depend on to provide for their student's needs. You can choose to do the right thing for Iowa, Iowa's children, and the people of Iowa.Respectfully, Teena Seguin

01-30-2024

Julie Lambert []

The services and resources AEAs provide to students, parents, teachers, and school staff are so important to Iowans! Reducing sevices, decreasing positions, and cutting funds within the AEA system will hurt public education in Iowa and negatively impact students. The people are speaking and we oppose this bill.

01-30-2024

Ryan Chambers []

Thank you for your work serving the people of Iowa. I trust that you all hold a genuine interest in producing the best legislation that will serve our state tomorrow as well as a decade from now. Please do not allow this bill to move forward. It will be detrimental to our state. The AEAs provide an incredibly valuable service to the neediest students in our schools, both public and private. The testimonials and stories you have heard only scratch the surface of the successes experienced on a daily basis. I fear this legislation is based on poor data and is largely agenda driven rather than service driven.While an achievement gap exists on one assessment, please understand that this is not a black and white issue. First, NAEP does not support using this data for these types of decisions. Also, having a discrepancy is a requirement to even qualify for special education services, so why would we expect these students to achieve at grade level on one assessment on one day that has zero impact on their education? When they are no longer below proficiency, they are exited from services. This is not like other states. Again, Iowa is exceptional in this respect, and should be held up as a model to others, not punished for our successes.If the concern is administrative costs, there are far less drastic resolutions than a state takeover of a locally controlled system. I feel any concerns with the AEAs can be addressed if only those involved have the willingness to consider them and include all stakeholders in the decision. Please do not let out of state interest groups irreparably harm our highly effective and efficient system.Thank you!

01-30-2024

Rebecca Carver []

Please do not vote for this bill as currently written. It does nothing to address the real issues facing Iowa schools, even those in special education. Our AEAs provide necessary services to support each and every student and educator in our state. This bill will dilute those services and place many of them behind layers of red tape. Our rural districts will be impacted the most and inequities will persist in our state. Take the time to bring educators to the table to identify the true (solvable) problems in our education system and then work together to find the right solutions.

01-30-2024

Ellie Fulks []

Iowans have always been proud of our strong communities. In the way that people come forward and show up to help each other during unexpected or difficult times, something my own family has experienced often. During our sons short, miraculous life of 5 years AEA was there as a strong system of support,from a baby to his final days and after. Moving forward with this bill will be detrimental to one of our most valuable hidden communities our state has, the Area Education Agency. The AEA IS the strongest community of support for ALL of Iowas students.

01-30-2024

April Wallace-Henning []

Now that you know how multifaceted the AEAs are, now that you know how many NICUs, children, families, district staff, and administrators rely on the AEAs, now that you know this is irreversible, now that you know the entire state is watching to see who you put first, now that you know better; do better.

01-30-2024

Erin Farquhar []

He requires a Behavioral Intervention Team who help with those Social Emotional/Behavioral Supports that may be cut. He requires Crisis Emergency Support if/when he has meltdowns and he requires TRAINED Educators, Substitute Teachers, and ParaEducators to help him throughout every minute of his day. PostSecondary Transition is IMPORTANT for Special Education Kids 14+ who are transitioning to high school and then to reallife matters to the success of these children who have to go out into the real world and live their lives with work placement when possible. It is an essential piece for the endgame of schooling that my son may not have the chance to even use if it is cut. Saying that they are not touching Special Education is a dangerous mistruth and no one in the general public or the legislation truly understands what these services do and mean for our children unless they have a child with a disability. For all the children who cannot speak, who cannot hear, who cannot walk, who cannot get through a school day without the support of an entire AEA team and their trained paraeducators and teachers please take a deep dive into what those services that I listed above provide and help advocate to keep them. Sincerely, Erin Farquhar, Mother of Abe

01-30-2024

Debbie Thompson []

01-30-2024

Dawn Schechtman []

I have been a teacher for 27 years. AEAs are extremely valuable to the educational system. They help both public and private schools and I know I would not be the teacher I am without the materials, training, and help from my AEA. I have even been able to take classes through other AEAs to enhance my learning and teaching. I have always used tons of books, movies, kits, technology, and other resources from the AEA. There is no way a school could provide the things that the AEAs have. Things such as science kits, robots, book sets, educational videos, and so much more are provided. I cannot imagine having taught without them. When students struggle, I am able to get advice, materials, and testing through the AEA. When I have needed to do more to challenge students, I am able to get things through the AEA. Unfortunately, during my time teaching, we have had several deaths of students. AEA people have been there to support the adults and students. They have a group especially trained to help with this and they have been amazing. Seeing them throughout the school and asking how we are doing the days after the tragedy has been so comforting. I have been able to take classes and teach classes through the AEA. Our trainings we have to take each year are provided through the AEA. The AEA has even helped with our reading council through advice and hosting our web site. I am sure I could list many more things, but I hope you understand how valuable the AEAs are and use your position to help educators, like myself, out. These things cannot be provided by the school districts and cannot be provided through the Department of Education. Please support our AEAs and don't take away the services our schools, especially the rural schools, so greatly need. Teachers need you to take a stand to support us now before it is too late to keep education a priority in Iowa.

01-30-2024

Lisa Wymore []

Each of Iowas children deserves quality and effective education regardless of the size, location, and financial resources of the school they attend. The proposed changes to AEAs will devastate Iowas educational system. The negative effects will disproportionally impact small, rural schools as well as fiscally challenged districts and small private schools. Impacts on students will not be temporary or shortlived. The bills focus on a segment of services provided to students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) overlooks the critical systems and supports provided by Area Education Agencies (AEAs) that impact student learning across classrooms and instructional settings. AEA services support ALL Iowa students equitably and effectively. The timeline laid out in this bill is not reasonable and will create chaos. Our students deserve better. Please slow down and consider the consequences of this bill. Centralized decisionmaking in Des Moines eliminates the local control that has been a cornerstone of Iowa education. It also limits our systems ability to be responsive to changing conditions and immediate needs. A comprehensive review including data from multiple sources and stakeholder input is essential for making wellinformed decisions that strengthen our educational system and student outcomes. This decision is far too important to be rushed. Please vote NO. Take the time for a comprehensive, thoughtful, and welldesigned review. Do not dismantle the support students, parents, teachers, and school leaders use daily.

01-30-2024

Claire Keith []

This bill will hurt all students and will disproportionately harm students that come from rural communities. Rural populations are shrinking already as it is and it is hard to bring professionals to these small communities. Without access to the services that the AEAs provide, this will further push rural families out of rural areas to seek these services(if they can afford to leave) and further hurt Iowas education and economy.

01-30-2024

Debbie Kastantin []

I am currently an Iowa certified paraeducator. I have worked in this capacity in pubic schools for 10 years. Every year I see more and more children staffed into pullout special education classrooms for language arts and/or math support. Some of these kids are 6th and 7th graders in my building who cannot read and comprehend at grade level. These academic deficiencies often contribute to severe behavior issues which negatively impact all students and classrooms. The AEA professionals are necessary in evaluating the individual student needs and working with the teachers and families in meeting those needs. How can we think of cutting these services?As a parent, 28 years ago, I recognized that my first born child was having speech difficulties probably caused by numerous ear infections during important phases of his speech development. I did not want those problems to hold him back once he started school. I called our local school district and asked about speech pathology support and was immediately referred to Heartland AEA. A wonderful early childhood speech pathologist made an appointment for a home visit, met our son and evaluated his speech. She recommended a biweekly meeting at the elementary school in Grimes and worked on speech development with our son. By the time he started Kindergarten later that year, his enunciation had drastically improved and he did not require continued support during his school days. The AEA supports all students and we NEED them.Please do not continue with this proposed legislation. Its hasty and we must slow down to more thoroughly and transparently discuss why this is happening at all. Thank you

01-30-2024

Henry Gerhardt III []

I support the AEA and the school districts. My daughter is a elementary teacher in Council Bluffs and utilizes the SW Iowa AEA services quite a bit. Iowa needs the AEAs support to help our already understaffed school districts. The AEA's are reviewed every 2 years by the Dept. of Education. Any issues are dealt with and corrective measures taken. So why are issues being raised now with little or no justification? I would think one might want to check with the Dept. of Education to understand how stripping services from the current AEA's and adding an additional 100 positions outside of the current AEA's is going to help anyone. I do not believe moving decision making to Des Moines will help anything other than add more unnecessary overhead to the system. Why not take the funds for those 100 open positions the governor wants to add and furnish the monies to the current AEA's budgets instead of making the usual cuts to services. We would see a better bang for our tax money. I really think the author of this bill should do her homework prior to wasting the peoples time. PLEASE VOTE NO on THIS BILL, it what Iowans are telling you they want and the kids and educators are telling you they need and deserve!!

01-30-2024

David Voves []

Please do your job of representing your constituents versus a politicalparty and vote NO for this bill. Iowa educators, parents, former students, AEA employees, and general citizens who have become knowledgeable about the AEAs, recognize the vital role they play in the education of every student and have made their numerous voices heard. If passed, this bill will be detrimental to the educational success of students. Instead, lean on the excellence Iowa has played in education and bring the necessary parties to a joint table in which learning can occur about what AEAs currently provide, why state statistics look different than other states, and hear numerous student success stories, which are the result of partnerships with AEA staff members. This understanding will foster deep conversations about how to improve services within Iowa's great AEA system already and will not disrupt services to students and teachers.

01-30-2024

Tiffany Goetz []

Vote no. Please listen to the voices of Iowans as you have been voted in to do and do what is really, truly best for our kids. Our kids need a village now more than ever and that is what AEAs provide. The focus should be on improving the services rather than scrambling to figure out the services. Educators are leaving the profession all the time and this will only increase the exodus. Our kids need you to vote no and recommend the review Governor Reynolds originally talked about.

01-30-2024

Jill Budde []

I cannot imagine where my son would be without the AEA services he received. This bill needs to be slowed down to make sure youre comparing data that truly reflects affected student populations. Why the rush??

01-30-2024

Vickie Shipley []

I strongly support AEAs and feel they do incredible work. Both my daughters utilize AEA services my youngest has a child with speech delay and regularly works with AEA staff for his language needs. My oldest daughter is a visually impaired consultant in Iowa so works 1:1 with invaluable resources and staff provided by the AEA for the children she services along with continuing ed resources for her own professional development. As we recently witnessed, an AEA crisis team was at Perry schools the morning of the recent shooting and continue to help the schools move toward normalcy. These are services that schools will not be able to afford to outsource as suggested by proposed legislation.Please vote NO to these drastic changes to the AEA resources our FutureGeneration so deserve!

01-30-2024

Jenn Jenson []

SSB 3073 & HSB 542 should not have gotten this far. I have taught in public and private schools in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. I have appreciated the AEA and all the support they provide for Iowa teachers, students, and communities. Please Vote No on HSB 542 and SSB 3073 and keep Iowa schools strong with the support of STRONG AEAS.

01-30-2024

John and Mary Cabeen []

Our grandchild needs AEA services and AEA champions as they are. We are frequently hearing that her AEA will still be there if the district wants to utilize it. This is absolutely NOT true. You are taking the heart and foundation out from under the AEAs and the AEA services will never be the same. You are going to make her school district work harder to find services that have been proven valuable over and over again and readily available today. And, to bring on the Department of Education to oversee the AEAs which already collaborates well with districts just doesnt make sense and is not necessary unless the Governors plan is to create a new Department of Education to oversee all areas of education. The wording has approved by the director so many times the bill just screams the state will have control. Youre not giving anything to anyone. This comes at a great cost.There are solutions for administrative pay such as salary caps which has already been discussed and a collaborative approach to improving education for all stake holders including districts, AEAs and the Department of Education that could be sought. However, solutions do not seem to be looked for as even the amendment is lacking with them. It feels like the Governor introduced the bill for something far greater. Please, are you listening to Iowans? We are not in favor of this bill.Please restore the provisions for Area Education Agencies that Senate Study Bill 3073 removed and/or added as there is no merit for these changes as other solutions can be sought first. Any endorsement for this bill will be those legislators legacy for AEAs, Iowa schools, teachers and most importantly our children and grandchildren. In the absence of understanding, slow down and lets do what makes sense for Iowa. This bill is not necessary and if change is, then there are other ways that are not being pursued. We hear that legislators are being bullied to vote yes for this bill. We dont understand that madness and pray it isnt so. Please know we appreciate you standing strong for our children and for Iowa. Thank you for your time. John and Mary

01-30-2024

Heather Schuldt []

If I were in your seat, I would be awe struck by the amount of activity this topic has created. People that have never before wrote letters, made phone calls or came to public forums are starting to! Listen to the people of Iowa! The message is loud and clear! Leave the AEA alone. Study it.I'm glad to hear that some Republican legislatures are reassuring Iowans that they are not a "rubber stamp" for Kim Reynolds. Governor Reynold's actions this week concern me with her need to meet privately with those that are not on board with her bill. Will this be another case where lawmakers are ousted by their own party because of their unwillingness to be a rubber stamp? I respected Republicans like Dustin Hite and Jon Thorpe and that is what happened to them. I want to believe that our elected officials will use their own minds and ears to guide them to the right decision. I want to believe that the amount of opposition this bill has created will matter. There are times that I wonder why I stay in Iowa. Every year since becoming an educator, I've faced some sort of challenge. Challenges that seem to be brought on by the State. When I question myself on why I stay in Iowa, I can't help but think of my father. My father served in the Vietnam war. My father would have much rather stayed home to milk cows in rural Guthrie County but he proudly served his country. When he returned home to his beloved Iowa he was spat on by anti war protesters. My father ultimately died in 2004 from cancer caused by Agent Orange and when I think of my father, I remember why I deserve to stay in Iowa. He would be angry to see what we have become as a country and he would be upset to know the little people sometimes don't feel like they matter. He would be upset to know that some Republicans don't show up to town hall forums to listen to the people that voted them into office. He would be upset to know that Iowans weren't good enough to be consulted with when it came to our education system. Seperate Teacher PayStudy the AEAKeep AEA's with their local control (having a member that is appointed by each school board that is served the by AEA)Consider how effective the DE is (it is not)Consider how frequently the DE position is vacatedConsider how the current DE director does not have a teaching licenseConsider why a private entity from Virginia was good enough to write the bill but Iowans were not. Signed,A police officer's wife A motherAn educatorA registered Republican voter

01-30-2024

Erin Bollman-Farquhar []

Heartland Area Education Agency has been helping my son before he even started school and I am devastated and terrified at the thought of ever losing their services. They serve ALL children in our public schools and enabled my son to be able to participate with his peers in the general education classroom. They helped me get him a disability waiver, loaned us equipment we could not afford to help him first sit up, crawl and then walk by age 3. It is the AEA who have done OT with him for a DECADE so he could learn to hold a marker and now at 11 write his name. It is the AEA who let us trial communication devices in PRESCHOOL as my son is nonverbal. It is the AEA who came up with a way for my son to be able to communicate in his own way and their Challenging Behavior Team has been essential to him being able to be at school at all. Everyone seems to forget that the Special Education Community that they serve have longfounded relationship building with disabled children and their families. These children in particular RELY ON ROUTINE. To rip services away from them is disgraceful and the ripple effect it will have on children who have spent years (or decades) working with an entire team of folks from the AEA to be replaced with strangers is so wrong. I am so sad that life in Iowa is heading down such a bumpy road to dismantling public education in favor of Private Schools who are not at all Federally Required to service individuals with disabilities, 504s or IEPs. This is discrimination at its lowest form and I am so scared of what my son's future will be if this passes.

01-30-2024

Charles Walton []

I worked in Special Education for 8 years and at a community college for more than a decade. The AEAs provide vital resources (both human and material), professional development classes, and so much more that schools and community colleges rely upon to serve their students, and educators rely upon to expand their knowledge and better prepare themselves for changing and trying times. This bill will undercut education statewide and should not be passed in any form.

01-30-2024

Dani Augustine []

Please vote no on this bill. It does absolutely nothing to address concerns or improve outcomes for students across the state. Dismantling AEAs will cause irreparable harm to students, families and educators.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Fischer []

So many questions remain with this bill. Why the rush? Why havent teachers, principals, superintendents, and parents been asked for opinions? Where is the data that backs the claims that our AEAs are failing? What happens to local control with the director of education is left making many of the choices? How will small schools adequately provide services that local AEAs were providing? I am a high school teacher and I know my department budget will not be able to provide the materials o use through the AEA. Please stop the advancement of this bill.

01-30-2024

Amanda Dunsky []

I strongly oppose the AEA bill for the following reasons:1. As a parent of students who attend a small rural school, this bill will be a disservice to all rural students (and all students for that matter). The AEA can provide special education services, Ed services, media services, IT services, and much more. If flow through money goes back to the schools, rural districts would not be able to have all these services for the money they get back. Rural districts will be forced to choose. THAT IS NOT RIGHT!2. Along with the Special Education Supports that districts receive they will be losing Literacy Consultants, Math Consultants, Professional Leadership and Learning Consultants, and much more. I am pleased to see that the governor has proposed a Science of Reading bill,it's the right work,yet will not fund Literacy Consultants through this bill to support schools in this work. Professional Leadership Consultants support school leaders, provide professional development, coaching, ESSA and IDEADA support. If this bill were to pass these supports will be gone. THAT IS NOT RIGHT! 3. The AEA has fully supported the governors Future Ready Initiative, which is the right work! Through the Ed Services area, consultants hold monthly Future Ready learning sessions for school districts to help support the governor's initiative, where the AEA leads districts through data dives, provides resources, assists school counselors on the district career plans, provides learning through Portrait of a Graduate, and much more. It is an unbelievable resource for districts. This would be gone under this bill. THAT IS NOT RIGHT!4. If this bill is to pass the way it is written, what happens to all the professional learning that the AEA's provide for teachers, administrators, and para educators? Most of the classes fulfill license renewal, however, many educators and districts take these classes so they can apply the strategies learned in their classrooms or school wide. Examples are: Maximize Your Data, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, classes on Dyslexia and how to support students, Restorative Practices, etc. There are so many I cannot list them all. THAT IS NOT RIGHT!5. I am against the AEA bill being combined with teacher compensation. We all know teachers should be paid more. However, this is a different issue and should be a separate bill. Please do not combine them. To your constituents this looks like a way to guilt leaders into voting for the proposed bill and THAT'S NOT RIGHT! 6. To say that special education students are not making adequate progress because of the AEA's is a gross misstatement. This is a systems issue. We are in a teacher shortage. A high percentage of special education teachers start on conditional license (and that's if you can find someone willing to do so). These teachers have no background in special education and need the support and coaching of the AEA's in order to do their job.

01-30-2024

Paula Heber []

Im urging the committee members to PLEASE take a step back and consider how this bill will be harmful to so many people in the state of Iowa, especially children abs families. Be willing to bring all those that will be impacted by this bill to the table to discuss their concerns and actually listen. As Iowa citizens we elect people that we think will work for the good of ALL Iowas and to consider all sides of issues that are brought before you. You are hurting so many children if you vote for this bill not just today or tomorrow but for years to come. Is that a legacy that you can live with?

01-30-2024

Janet Brown-Lowe []

I firmly oppose thereorganization of the AEA's in our state. Gov Reynolds should expend her efforts to ADD more AEA resources in the AEAs for children with special education needs, not reduce access to them.We have two grandsons in Altoona one with behavioral disorders in kindergarten and a 3 year old born with cerebral palsy. The AEA as been instrumental in assisting this family. Even in the major metro area of Iowa there are extremely limited resources for this kind of help, my son and his spouse waited MONTHS for an appointment with Dr Nate Noble, the preeminent child psychistrist in the area. Iowa is already severey lacking in help for these kids. Where are parents in small towns or rural areas supposed to go if they cannot rely on their AEA? To dilute the service model or make it more difficult find help and scatter it about is contrary to the calm that frazzled parents seek for their children. I am a retired teacher with 33 years experience in the Bettendorf CSD and won national awards for my teaching. I relied on my local AEA for many professional services and training. It is very difficult and quite expensive for teachers to get additional professional development in topics which they need to remain top professionals the AEA serves this need very well.

01-30-2024

Sarah Johnson []

I am a lifelong Iowa resident and the parent of 3 children currently attending public school. I am opposed to this bill. Instead of this bill, please support a transparent and comprehensive review of the AEA system using multiple sound data sources and input from school districts, parents, community members, medical professionals anyone who currently partners with the AEA in any way. If there is a problem to address, define it, measure it, and propose a clear plan for implementation ensuring there is infrastructure (funding, staffing, training and supervision) before making any changes. This is too important to rush and the messages from Iowans are clear Do not allow this bill to pass. To pass this bill would be an absolute breach of trust for the citizens of Iowa by the government, with the consequences falling on the most vulnerablethose without a vote or a voice on this issue the 500,000+ children enrolled in Iowas public and private schools. This is a pivotal moment for decision making. Please choose to listen to the parents, educators, and experts in educational systems instead of the political rhetoric. Please do the right thing and do not pass this bill.

01-30-2024

Alicia Rasmussen []

Please vote no to this bill. As a schoolbased physical therapist for over a decade, I have had the privilege of helping hundreds of people including children/students, families, educators, and school districts. One of my assignments included covering 6 rural school districts. I fear that with the bill, and the very minimal amendments made to it, many of those rural districts and students will suffer. Services will no longer be equitable as districts wont be able to provide services needed. Lawsuits are likely to increase as familys are typically fierce advocates for their children and know what services could/should look like. Moving control to one central person, location, or entity (i.e. DOE, Director of Education, the Governor) takes away the voice of the people and decreases efficiency. This bill would also cause a huge increase in teacher workload while also offering them less support with the change/removal of services. Kids would not get the consistency of services that are so needed from children and families. This bill leaves a lot of questions. All stakeholders deserve some input and time. Thank you for your consideration.

01-30-2024

Abbi Perkins []

These students are our future. By cutting AEA funding, programs and/or agencies, you're doing these children and all of our futures an extreme disservice. There is no possible way small, rural schools can absorb the responsibility to have inhouse programs or resources these students utilize. Students will fall behind in school and that goes against the big "no child left behind" push from years back. Why would you risk setting these children & students up for failure? This is our future. Make the right choice & keep the AEA asis.

01-30-2024

Beth Olkiewicz []

I have been both a public and private school educator in Iowa for more than 30 years. Never, ever have I heard anyone call for the dismantling of our AEAs. When I taught in a private school, we relied on the AEA for support for special education services. As a public school educator in a school that can no longer afford a library associate, not to mention a certified librarian (thanks to decades of cuts), our teachers rely on the AEA to send rotations of books to our classrooms. We rely on the content provided through the digital resources, we receive curricular guidance in many content areas, we utilize professional training offered by the AEA, just to name a few of the services we regularly access. As a private citizen, I know parents who have sought assistance through the AEA for their toddlers with developmental delays. Who is calling for the massive changes to AEAs? I highly doubt its anyone from Iowa. Save our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Nick Larson [Vice President, Center Point - Urbana Community School Board]

I am a newly elected Vice President of the Center Point Urbana School Board. I ran as a candidate who loves public education and won a nearly 60% mandate to champion public education in the best interest of our community.The four buildings in our school district leverage all AEA services special education, educational services, and media services on a daily basis. As proposed, this bill would remove $158K of funding that directly benefits our school district. In terms of state cost per pupil allocation, that would fund 21 students in our district, or a classroom full of students. This bill provides no plan for replacing those services, which will leave our district to independently source and fund our needs. There is no evidence, let alone a factual business case, that demonstrates equivalent services can be restored at a lower total cost to school districts.I have studied the specific services and costs provided by our AEA and the entire 111 page Guidehouse, Inc. report that serves as the blueprint for the proposed legislation. Have you, as members of the subcommittee, completed the same due diligence? The executive summary of the report asserts that Iowa students with disabilities are performing below the national average, but at a significantly higher cost than other states. I strongly encourage the committee to study these two assertions as separate potential problems to solve. Conflating the two into a massive legislative change that effectively dissolves the AEAs is extreme, and a mistake. State level officials from both sides of the aisle have suggested to me first hand that the governor's proposal was designed to drop like a nuclear bomb. That's fine, but now you as legislators are responsible for rebuilding public trust in the process and ensuring the best public education for our kids. Meanwhile, those of us directly responsible for delivering public education in our communities are greatly concerned as we watch the political process play out.Problem #1: Student Achievement. If you dig into the details, you will find that this assertion is primarily based on 4th grade reading scores when averaging together the last three NAEP tests, including low outlier data points in 2017 and 2019, followed by a correction in 2022. For 2022, this score was within one point of the national average (215 Iowa vs. 216 national). Therefore, one should ask, "What caused the decline in 2017 and 2019 and is the correction in 2022 real?" When taking a wider view of both reading and math tested in 4th grade and 8th grade, you see that the gap between Iowa and the national average disappears and even becomes favorable in 2022 8th grade scores. Even the significant reading gap in 4th grade corrects by 8th grade and becomes favorable for Iowa in the 2022 test. Therefore, the state level interest should first focus on early grade reading scores for learners with disabilities that is a more specific interpretation of the data and would better focus our actions.To be clear, we must do better for our students with disabilities and a focus on the data will clarify the problem. Reviewing all of the data, there appears to be more of a reading problem than an overall special education problem (i.e., math scores did not present the same magnitude of gap). The Guidehouse report included no detailed statistical analysis (i.e., validation of statistical significance, correlation analysis, etc.) and the executive summary cherry picked the single most compelling data point and generalized it to a problem across all special education. The fine print of the report explains that the "Indicator" states used for comparison were purposefully picked to have higher achievement levels, so realize that the case being made is that Iowa does not perform as well as high performing states. When compared to all state averages, performance levels are much more in line and even favorable. Furthermore, there was no root cause analysis to directly connect any of the recommendations to improved outcomes for students with disabilities. In the private sector, we call that simply reporting the news. The entirety of the improvement plan appears to rely on greater oversight at the state level (i.e., headcount and bureaucracy). If, as the report suggests, the Department of Education lacks oversight to hold AEAs accountable, my question is, why? How can this be done without removing local control in favor of a Des Moines office? Those are extremely important considerations when the proposal is to fund state headcount on the backs of local school districts see problem #2.Problem #2: Cost per Student. Objectively, some of the data points here are more specific and compelling. We should address administrative costs and total compensation packages for all of our education professionals. The Guidehouse report highlighted some comparisons between school district and AEA administrator positions, which should warrant further investigation. Redesigning administration of the AEAs may present opportunities to reduce total cost and improve effectiveness. That would receive broad support.Next, although the report suggests that eliminating a myriad of services (professional development, media, technology, etc.) may reduce total cost, there is no empirical evidence if or how this can be achieved. Interestingly, for a report that appears to be quite comprehensive, there is no information on how voluntary educational service agency costs compare to the Iowa model only that it "could" be done. In fact, although the governor implied that many educational services provided by AEAs are unique to Iowa and represent scope creep, the reality is that 46 states have some type of educational service agency system. These are called Educational Service Agencies (ESAs) in the Guidehouse report and the number, charter, and legislative foundation are consistent with the Iowa approach to realize economies of scale through shared service centers. Given the comprehensive listing of state ESAs (Appendix C), zero data on cost competitiveness between models is a huge gap in this study and would be valuable information. This would be unacceptable for any private sector "Make/Buy" analysis.It would be a mistake to hastily abandon the Iowa AEA model for nonspecial education services with no cost study, let alone no plan. In terms of total cost savings to the state, this is the most fundamental question to answer. Our AEA provides great service, so as a local school board member accountable to the taxpayer, cost is currently my only motive to do something different. Unfortunately, the Guidehouse study is silent on any facts that would inform this decision making. The study does, however, show that the "Adjusted General Education Per Pupil Expenditure" in Iowa is significantly lower than the 50state average ($3,059 lower). And as the study emphasizes, the "Adjusted Total Special Education Per Pupil Expenditure" in Iowa is higher than the 50state average ($2,306 higher). The financials in Appendix F of the study reveal that there is wide variation in expenditures attributed to special education by state; the range is from $0 in Florida (one of the states directly compared to Iowa) to $27,435 in New Hampshire. How valid are conclusions based on this data? If we combine the Iowa "General Education" and "Special Education" expenditures per pupil, Iowa compares quite favorably to the 50state average.Finally, Guidehouse recommendation #5 to "Empower" should alarm anyone who favors smaller, locally controlled government. Afterall, it reads, "Grow Iowa Department of Education funding, capabilities, and infrastructure to provide greater levels of special education and AEA oversight." As a board member that was elected on a platform to champion local control and serve the best interests of my community, I will not support efforts to empower the executive branch in Des Moines.Simply put, the Guidehouse study and subsequent proposed legislation boils down to this... (1) Eliminate services funded by the state and provided to local school districts. (2) Claw that money back to the state Department of Education to fund centralized state government control. (3) Provide no plan or funding to replace the services eliminated. (4) Expect state level oversight to improve special education outcomes. When you set aside the nuclear bomb politics, that's the "plan" and proposal on the table.

Attachment

01-30-2024

Deborah Wibe []

I strongly oppose any bill that will change or eliminate the Iowa Area Education Agency (AEA).As a 40 year former director/educator at a nonprofit daycare/preschool in Iowa, we used the AEA constantly in the areas of speech, hearing, and many behavioral programs. As a mother of three, the AEA discovered hearing problems with two of my children and followed them from preschool through high school graduation.As we have small children in our center, the Early Access program for kids 03, is also very beneficial. They are able to check up on our kiddos needs and help them not only at the center, but also in the home if assistance is needed there.The AEA is always easily accessible when contacted. For all of the districts they cover, its amazing how quickly they are able to assist with any problems we have, or find other options if its something they dont cover. They are also willing to provide inservices for our staff when needed.So where would we turn if this agency was no longer accessible? Many families would not be able to afford services elsewhere (the AEA is always free to our families). What would this do to our Iowa childrens education? Children are able to receive the help they need in specific areas and return to general education. Cutting this agency would definitely be a disaster for Iowa.

01-30-2024

Karen Kilpatrick []

I taught in elementary for many years. AEA was a great support for both teachers and students in many areas. I fail to understand why you are trying to fix something that is not broken. Furthermore, Reynolds had stated she wants more accountability for taxpayer dollars going to the AEAs but she requires no accountability for taxpayer dollars going to private schools! Ludicrous! What she really wants is just more control and power over public education but is not concerned with this in the private school arena. This action is not good for students in any circumstance.

01-30-2024

Julie Stoneking []

Based on the outrage from republicans and democrats voters, I don't think I need to explain why this bill is so strongly opposed by parents and educators. I will say as a parent of a child who has received AEA services since he was born, I can assure you that AEAs are the model for all education systems. Vote "no" to this bill so legislators can have time to conduct an actual comprehensive assessment of AEAs that involve stakeholders in Iowa. Thank you!

01-30-2024

Jennifer M. []

As an educator, parent, and former Iowa student, why are you wanting to make changes to things that so many schools, teachers, families, and communities benefit from. While I understand everything is based off meeting a bottom dollar in your position, what happened to investing in our future. I would invite you before making a huge change support for so many educators, teachers, and families. Ask the question to more than just the administration, while their answers may be the same, as the people in the trenches using the AEA services to make their class and community a better place, the teachers and families. Yes, families use the AEA just as much as school to support student early intervention. I encourage you to not only go to the local AEA, but visit ALL the AEAs and local schools and talk with the early intervention teams, teams supporting the schools, the technology centers, teachers, and families! Find out how important these services are to the community and how instead of limiting them or cutting them to meet a bottom dollar, but what we can do to help them help their community better with more resources to support our student education. All students are General Education students first! So while the AEA does so much to support our student who have an IEP to help them grow, they are General Education students first and for most and deserve to have the support to access a Free and Appropriate Education. Please consider increasing supporting the AEAs rather than cutting them to pieces and leave a mess for the communities to figure out how to support.

01-30-2024

Jennifer Dillon []

As a born, raised, and educated Iowan, Im proud of my state and always have been. This is why I was saddened at the paltry changes made in the amendment following the governors promise to change it. If anything, the amendment language is even worse than the original bill and results in removing even more local control. As I talk to fellow Iowans and read their comments across a variety of platforms, they are speaking clearly. Iowans do not want this bill. This bill will hurt Iowan children, especially in the rural districts. Even though the governor has said there will be no reduced services, there is no way this bill will allow the same level of services the AEA provides to ALL students across our great state. This bill will remove local control and give it to the very same institution already struggling with compliance. I urge you. I implore you. I beg you to think of our children and vote NO on the AEA bill. Listen to the people of Iowa. Let our legislative system work, and do not be bullied. Do it for the kids! Protect our AEAs!

01-30-2024

Jeanne Rochford []

AEAs are essential for our public and private schools in Iowa. I believe the Iowa people have spoken. Please remember who you are representing and who elected you. We as constituents are your partners and care about the future of all children. The AEA provides equitable services to children and families. We need all parts of AEE and this bill will drastically impact the future of all students. The rationale in the bill continues to be unclear and in no way is tied to student achievement. Our focus should be on supporting our AEAs so each student gets the best education. This bill is going to drive professionals out of the state of Iowa. As a legislator, I urge you to talk to AEA personnel about their jobs and gather a deeper understanding of the support they give school districts and families. Please VOTE NO and do not rely on others from out of state to determine how the support should be delivered to our students.

01-30-2024

Tangala Krous []

As a parent, I am concerned about the passage of this bill & the long term implications it will have on my own childrens educations. Not a week goes by that they dont mention indignation they learned on Epic or wanting to practice math skills with Prodigy. Both types of media &/or technology likely impacted by this bill. As someone who works in schools, I also fear the chaos that will ensue & disrupt my own childrens educations as school districts scramble to fill roles & responsibilities previously provided by AEAs. The turnaround on this bill is unrealistic at best. Iowa is not the only state I have lived in and this is not my first position within the field of mental health and/or education. While I have witnessed how other states operate special education services different from Iowa, I can assure you that rural areas within those states particularly suffered from a lack of qualified professionals to provide quality educational services. I am also worried about the perception, and reality, of public education in Iowa. We were content in our metro area that we previously lived in, but with two young children, thought we would try returning to Iowa for two reasons: Iowa's public education system and to be closer to family. So we moved here in 2019, when Iowa was still ranked 5th in the country. When I checked in 2022, Iowa had dropped down to 22nd; and most recently 13th (but K12 is still ranked 16th in the country). This is not a result of deficiencies within the AEA system or the public education staff. Both of those parties have been around and involved with public education for decades prior to 2022. I am imploring you, if you truly want to do what is best for students, please slow this bill down. The AEA system within the state of Iowa at least guarantees rural districts at least have ACCESS to qualified professionals for students with unique needs. With the current legislation, large swaths of the state will not be able to continue guaranteeing that access.

01-30-2024

James Craig [Cardinal CSD]

Use the Guidehouse report findings to investigate what other states are doing for specialized educational services that could benefit Iowa students. Use AEA and DE teams to see what about the states are different. Different oversight surely isnt what impacts student achievement. The best teachers using the best strategies with AEA support does. Literacy, math, special education, media, mental health, and negotiated purchasing power the AEAs already help districts provide the best education to our students in Iowa and are willing to do whatever it takes to make things even better. Republicans arent for more government oversight and regulation. Lets not make the AEAs an exception to the belief system.

01-30-2024

Monica Harden []

I urge subcommittee members to hear their constituents appeals and listen to Iowans! As a school based OT, I urge you to consider how this will increase cost, will strip special Ed students from assistive technology and resources, remove critical problem solving support from teachers and will force districts to make decisions without knowing the consequences . Students are gen ed students first. This bill will set us back 30 years! I oppose SSB 3073

01-30-2024

Jamie Orozco Nagel []

I am strongly opposed to the bills proposing to reorganize Iowa's Area Education Agencies. As a member of the public it was difficult to find a copy of the proposed amendments to this bill and I hope that time will be given for all Iowans to review the amended bill and provide meaningful input. I am especially disappointed in the amendment because I do not feel that the changes made reflect the concerns that Iowans have noted (for example it does not separate teacher pay minimums but instead keeps them together with AEA reorganization). This bill does not provide solutions to the supposed problems with AEAs that have been stated. The bill puts more burden on local school districts while taking away funding, support, and local oversight. This bill makes changes to the AEA system that could harm students by making services more difficult for schools to provide and is unfair to the public by reducing local decisionmaking and taking away locallybased leadership. I previously worked for a state government agency and now I work for an AEA so I have seen the difference in how AEA services are more closely embedded in the communities they serve while also being able to provide high quality services to both small and large communities. Thank you for the consideration and please do not support this bill.

01-30-2024

Micala Andreassen []

I strongly oppose this bill as an SLP who works for the AEA. Our rural districts will be greatly impacted. I rely on my Regional Administrator, our print/production services, our experts in Ed Services, all parts of our efficient and effective system. Please take time to study all parts of the system and data, and gain a better understanding of where changes need to be made.

01-30-2024

Kahri Plein []

Please do not support SSB3073. This bill will take services away from Iowa children. Rural children will be hurt the most as their small schools struggle to provide adequate services, but all of Iowas children will suffer as a decline in instructional services and a lack of materials & services available from cutting the media portion of AEAs will mean less resources in the hands of our children and less knowledge and support for our teachers who teach those children. The AEA system provides a costeffective, efficient way to serve children across our entire state. If you believe they are in need of review, I would start by reading the accreditation reports which were done in 2022 and then by visiting our AEAs and schools. Talk to the experts and do due diligence rather than rushing a bill that is not in the best interest of our children. A rash decision and sloppy bill will result in devastation that will take our state years to recover from.

01-31-2024

Jenny Connolly []

Im from rural Iowa, my 4 kids go to a rural school, my husband is a rural school teacher. Our youngest, who is now in kindergarten, received 2 years of speech help via the school based speech pathologist from the AEA. He graduated out of the program at the end of his 2nd year of preschool. The help was not only outstanding, but logistically for a set of working parents, we would have had a very hard time figuring this out and the immense cost and lack of experts in this field already would have made the process almost impossible. With so many things stacked against schools and kids from a help perspective (long wait times to get into specialists, insurance issues, etc.) this help is vital to kids. Im happy to chat via phone or email as I can not make a meeting due to being a working person nor can my teacher husband due to work. I have written my legislators twice and am now making this public comment in hopes that someone thinks about schools in rural areas and families in rural areas who will not have access to the things the AEA provides. Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comments.

01-31-2024

Leah Olson []

I am writing to you as a constituent, mother and mental health professional and asking you to vote no to this bill, as it raises more questions and concerns than it does answers. There are 133 instances where the proposed bill states that the Department of Education and/or the director, an appointed position, will be given decision making power. It proposes that the Department of Management have the authority to lower property taxes if a district chooses not to. 1) Does that sound like local control? 2) What evidence is there that the proposed changes in this legislation will lead to improved student outcomes? Rural schools have a smaller tax base, which will absolutely lead to inequality of services. The proposed bill takes away the ability of AEAs to hold contracts and operationally share just in the school district that my children attend, that will mean eliminating the technology, library and mental health school social work services that are currently shared between small districts. Our district continues to have a list of unfilled teaching positions, and I fear this legislation will add to that list, put more of a burden on rural schools and will in fact not lead to improved student outcomes. 3) Why is there a rush to push this bill through, despite overwhelming opposition to it? Instead, please complete a comprehensive study and involve all stakeholders in the process in order to have an accurate understanding of how any future changes will impact school districts and students. There is a wealth of knowledge readily available this is evident through conversation with parents, teachers, principals and AEA staff who are in schools daily. There is also a wealth of data available not just the NAEP data, taken by 266 students, which is the one data point the governor continues to share. Data shows that in 2022, there were 5,638 or 7.82% of students with disabilities in Iowa that were exited from special education services because they met all of their goals on their IEP and had made sufficient progress. Iowa's State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report Letters (submitted by the DE to the federal government)reports on a variety of measures a vast majority of the data that the DE reported about students with IEPs demonstrated "non slippage." Despite this, several sections documented noncompliance, not due to a lack of student progress, but due to "failure to publicly report" as required by the federal code, and it was noted that this had been the case for multiple years in a row. The report lists three options for necessary next steps, none of which is a swift overhaul of the statewide AEA system. Data is available in the AEA accreditation reports, following the site visits completed by the DE in each of the AEAs over the past 2 years. The report for Green Hills AEA, which serves our local school, indicates that the agency met all 9 standards. The DE provided many praises for the work being done, and when this report was written 14 months ago, there was no mention of drastic changes that needed to be made to services in order to better support student achievement. 4) Why are we basing a high stakes decision on one source of data? 5) Why is the teacher salary increase included in this bill? Please separate this so that it can be given the attention that it deserves. If there is data to support the sustainability of this, even in rural districts, then please support this. Thank you for representing Iowa voters and doing what is in the best interest of Iowa students by voting no to this bill.

01-31-2024

Karla Krueger []

I support the AEAs and their essential leadership and media and other professional development services for teachers. They provide resources that schools desperately need in order to improve teaching and learning throughout the state. Please vote no.

01-31-2024

Kathy Krug []

It's obvious from hearing from teachers that this bill should not go forward. Do not rush through this and make drastic changes that will hurt the children its intended to help. Involving outside privatized groups sounds to me that it could be more expensive? A better plan would be take the time to do detailed study to see where things actually are and determine what changes may need to be made and how those changes might affect both the students and teachers. Then have this information ready before the following session to see what or if anything should be done. Please oppose this bill and take the time to REALLY investigate what changes need made.Thanks.

01-31-2024

Lisa Andreasen []

Please vote no for this bill.I have worked in education for almost 20 years as a School Psychologist providing support to our rural school districts. I also speak from the perspective of my parents who also both served for 30+ at the AEA as School Psychologists serving in those same schools. I have a heart for our small, rural districts and am extremely concerned about the effect that this bill will have on those districts. The current structure of the AEA allows for rural districts to be able to receive equitable resources that they wouldn't otherwise receive if they had to purchase those services independently. Our AEAs are structured in such a way that we can utilize our funding to make sure ALL students in our AEAs receive the best.I am extremely concerned about the speed at which this bill expects decisions to be made and that all of the control will be moved to the DE. I thought we were a state that valued local control, but all this bill does is take away local control. We already have a shortage of teachers in this state and I fear that taking away the resources that schools rely on through the AEAs will only cause that shortage to increase. Please stop and listen to the stories that have been shared about the amazing things that the AEAs have done to support schools and families. I work with the most talented professionals that spend well over 40 hours a week working with students, teacher, administrators, and families. These professionals stay awake at night worrying about our students and how to best support our schools so every child can receive the best education. They have not failed Iowa's children. Please remember that this bill affects children who are our future. Please do not let that future be one with fewer opportunities and resources for success.

01-31-2024

Aimee Streicher []

I am against this bill. I am asking my Legislators to vote NO. Please take the time to set up a committee of parents, teachers, superintendents, school board members, administrators, AEA staff, health care providers, and legislators to study the AEA supports/system over a period of time.. This is being pushed through too quickly, and on misunderstandings and incorrect accusations. The proposed amendments do not address my concerns, and are detrimental to the students, families and educators of Iowa. PLEASE VOTE AGAINST THIS BILL. Thank you.

01-31-2024

Maura K []

The AEA system is a crucial part of the success of the educational system in Iowa. AEAs use data to look at student performance and educational trends, which helps inform policy decisions and improve academic outcomes for all students. They also provide valuable insights that can be used to target resources and support struggling students. The AEAs streamline their knowledge and resources to ensure that learners in communities of all sizes are able to benefit from specialized services not typically available within individual school districts, such as hearing, vision, speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, early childhood education, special education, career and technical education, and professional development for specific subject areas. Please consider the positive and life changing impact the AEAs have on so many Iowa families and educators. The AEA system is a vital part of our educational system and the success of all Iowa learners.

01-31-2024

Michael Wheeler []

I do not support this bill. AEAs under the DE must not happen. Please vote with the overwhelming majority of Iowans by with your NO vote. Thank you to those of you that have opposed this bill from the beginning and to those of you who now oppose the bill. For those of you who block my emails, do not respond to my concerns or will line up to support this action which will harm children, the Governor has said Iowans are passionate about their children. That is her one absolute truth which you can bank on.

01-31-2024

Allyssa Pape []

As I sit here at 3:30AM taking care of my infant son, I worry about the obvious impacts this bill will have on his educational future, his brothers, and every child in Iowa. The rural public school where my boys will go will be devastated by the loss of each and every service the AEA currently provides. ALL districts, educators, students, and families are going to lose. The amendments made are not enough. Giving total power to one entity is not the answer, and quite honestly, terrifying. Where is the choice when resources are nonexistent or permission has to be granted? The future of my children and all children in Iowa are counting on each of you to follow the democratic process, listen to your constituents and those who will be actively voting in these reelection years; stand up for Iowans and oppose this bill. Be the voice of us all!

01-31-2024

Cal Long []

I have several friends who are teachers. My mother was a teacher. My sister and 2 of my nieces work in education. My family knows first hand the value and service AEAs provide to Iowa. No one I know supports or sees the urgency for this legislation. Please, kill this bill and take the time to study any real problems.

01-31-2024

Ann Hardy []

Please vote No on SSB 3073. As an AEA occupational therapist everyday I see the value of our services to students, families and teachers. Just yesterday I shared reading strategies with a general education teacher who is including a student with a significantdisability in her general education reading groups and was struggling with how to include her in instruction. I learned about these reading strategiesin an AEA professional development class on workingwith students with significantdisabilities. Several special education teachers I work with, from rural school districts, arealso attendingthe class. Together we collaborate to learn and improve instruction forour emerging learners usingalternative materials,assistive technology and these instructional strategies. Without this education loop in place, all provided by the AEA, we will all struggle to meet our students' needs, especially in the rural school districts I serve. Let's not compromise a whole system that works. If changes are needed, then please do a comprehensive reviewof our AEA system involving all stakeholders and make decisions based on that information. If changes are needed in the AEA system, let's figure that outand propose changes that will make the system better, not gut it. SSB 3073 isn't right for Iowa. Please vote no!

01-31-2024

Julia Bebensee []

Please listen to your constituents and vote NO to amended SSB 3073. This bill significantly impacts public education by taking away services the AEAs provide to all students, families, teachers, and school districts throughout the state. It will severely impact rural school districts and take away local control. Slow down and do a comprehensive review of AEA services getting input from ALL stakeholders. Lets make Iowas educational services stronger for all students. Iowa parents, educators, administrators, school boards, AEA staff, and other citizens are speaking out: VOTE NO.

01-31-2024

Amy Herzog []

AEAs are vital for so many aspects, especially in rural schools. We are already considered the deplorables so please dont make our future generations worse. We do exist, we do have opinions, and we implore you to listen! Prior administrations built AEAs and enhanced themfor good reason! statistics show how especially in rural schools the impact on education, especially for those kiddos who need that little extra help in keeping up with their peers! I dont even have children with IEPs but I know my kids benefit from AEAs. Who asked for this? I have yet to have a conversation with a teacher, principal, or superintendent who suggested these changes or support it. Please dont take local control away from us. The state already took our tax dollars away for the voucher program, please dont continue to hack away at the education system! Our kids deserve better!

01-31-2024

Theresa Hirst [Educator]

Please vote NO on this bill. It is going backwards when providing needed services for all children. We more qualified teachers in our state not less and this bill will make hiring teachers very difficult which on top of students losing necessary services they wont have teachers to teach them. This will set our State back in ways that will be devastating!!

01-31-2024

Amy Grote []

I have never seen Iowans come together the way that they have in opposition of this bill, this speaks volumes as to how inherently wrong the plan to destroy Iowa's current AEA structure truly is. Regardless of political affiliation, we're all able to see the mayhem and destruction this will cause across the state of Iowa. Collectively, we are concerned for the future of our children, schools and communities if this bill passes. This bill is so obviously detrimental to all families in Iowa, that it is hard to imagine that it was created for anything but nefarious purposes simply follow the money. You do not want this stain on your voting record, vote NO and serve your constituents instead of being used as a pawn in Kim Reynold's political game. She doesn't care that a large majority of Iowans are opposed and that she'll lose their vote because she's vying for a senior/executive position down the road. She'll be gone and YOUR constituents will still be here in Iowa waiting to vote you out in the next election. Vote NO on HSB 542.

01-31-2024

Jamaica Reed []

Iowa AEAs play a crucial role in ensuring the delivery of quality education across the state. These agencies serve as invaluable resources, providing essential support, professional development, and specialized services to schools, educators, and students. As a teacher and a parent of a child with a learning disability, I know first hand how their commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment has contributed significantly to the success of Iowa's education system. Bill SSB3073 poses a threat to the very foundation of this support network. This legislation, if enacted, could undermine the collaborative efforts of AEAs, potentially leading to a decline in educational standards and accessibility. It is essential to recognize the vital role that Iowa AEAs play in shaping the future of education and oppose any legislation that jeopardizes their ability to provide effective support and resources to schools and students statewide.

01-31-2024

Sherry Peterson []

y son and his wife were both raised in the Iowa public school system. He is now a Special Education teacher in HS and she is a SLP in Elementary. Both work in Minnesota public school systems. They would like to return to Iowa to work and live but they won't even considering returning due to the recent actions of Kim Reynolds and our Legislature. Your actions are gutting the public schools and causing many quality educators to either leave teaching or leave Iowa. The damage you are doing it inexcusable! I also work in a school and see the impact of your actions every day. You should be developing the services provided to all students and educators not stripping them away. Please step back, lay politics to the side, and do what is best to support quality development of services for all Iowa students. The way this has been handled already shows how little thought was put into the issue. It's currently obvious this is only a political move to satisfy private sector at the cost of our children. STOP!!!

01-31-2024

Kristi Kenny []

I can not emphasize this enough: DO NOT RESTRUCTURE THE AEA. It is simply not the answer to "doing better for our special education students." Restructuring the AEA is a desperate plea to gain more funding at the cost of services and resources for ALL students and teachers, including special education students.Governor Reynolds claims she listened to the public and made changes to the proposed bill, but she did not listen; she is still trying to take away needed services and money from the schools after being told how necessary these services and the funding for them are to families, students and teachers. Please consult with teachers, coaches, administrators in public education and AEA staff to give you first hand ideas for improving special education proficiency in Iowa.It is irrational to blame the AEAs for this proficiency gap. There are many contributing factors to any student groups success or failure. Things like socioeconomic status, parental involvement, stable home life, lack of professional development for special education teachers, not providing a menu of curricular resources for special education teachers to utilize, a lack of funding to staff more special education teachers so students with IEPs can receive individualized instruction in a small group, a lack of funding for para support and lack of para training to support students with IEPs are ALL contributing factors to the proficiency gap. The AEAs do not provide instruction to students and cannot be blamed for this.Governor Reynolds continues to share misleading posts that could convince some Iowans who are unfamiliar with the education system that the AEA is responsible for the proficiency gap. She has continued to cut funding from the AEAs year after year and is now trying to get rid of them with misleading, inaccurate social media posts (reference her facebook posts).We need to be providing more FUNDING the AEAs to support ALL students.The AEA offers Rosetta Stone to support English Language Learners. They have STEM kits, novel sets, an entire library filled with books that are not available in school libraries. EVERY student (and teacher) needs and deserves for AEAs to remain intact, as is, with more funding. Many teachers in my child's school reach out to the AEA to utilize their services and resources in some capacity.I would invite you to go into many schools in your state so you can see first hand how vital AEAs are to the success of all students. Please consider doing this before voting on this bill. IOWA NEEDS AEAs!

01-31-2024

Karen Spahn []

I am very concern that if this bill passes I be appointed person in Des Moines will have the power to approve school district plans and can make decision based an their unilateral assumption they know what every district needs to support children with special needs. Our federal law, IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires that all children participate in the general education curriculum. This includes children with disabilities. Children must receive instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment. This requires collaboration between general Ed and special Ed staff, including content area experts who are AEA employees. Most AEA staff are REQUIRED to have at least a Masters degree in their area of educational specialty. Above this they are skilled vat organizing and facilitating collaborative meeting to support teachers bd children. Please vote NO to this bill so Iowa districts retain local authority and AEA staff can continue to support districts to keep accountability in place. Iowas teachers deserve better. Iowas children deserve better.

01-31-2024

Jennie Adkins []

I see daily the impact AEA teams & resources are playing in rural SE Iowa schools. Please review this bill carefully & take into consideration the students that this will negatively impact. Please do not pass this bill as it stands. Listen to the Iowans who know AEA & see what it does spend time seeing all the parts of AEA & how it supports ALL students & teachers. There is so much at stake here so many lives will be negatively impacted by this bill as it is written. Please say no to this bill as written. Thank you for your time fighting for Iowa students we need the AEA!

01-31-2024

Sandra Vice []

I am writing regarding the discussion of changing the way AEA is ran in the state and schools. My son has HSD and we were allowed to have a formal evaluation by AEA when he was in Kindergarten and again n 1st grade. Although he didnt qualify for services they were able to give us as parents and the school ideas to help him succeed. In my opinion we have a struggling school district to begin with and by changing and possibly eliminating ARA and making changes to the districts this would hurt the children.

01-31-2024

Jacquie Potts []

Please listen to the voice of those advocating against this bill. This bill will not only reduce services to special education students, but truly impact all students. Children, families, and schools deserve better. This is not the way to increase student achievement. Please take action and vote against this bill.

01-31-2024

Mandy Burns []

I do not support this bill. It does not represent Iowa and our values. It takes away local control by placing decision making in the hands of one person. This is not whats best for Iowa. It hurts smaller, rural districts significantly more as they will not be able to receive the quality and quantity of services with the funding they will receive in return. This is not Iowa. This was created by an out of state group at a high cost. This is not Iowa. We are built on a tradition of strong education where students receive a quality education no matter where they live. The AEA system was created to support this and continues to support this value. It takes away resources from teachers who desperately need them, especially as they are starting out. This bill will only lead to further the teacher shortage, especially in smaller districts with fewer teachers to mentor. Please slow this down and take the time to comprehensively study how we can improve services by taking our time, including stakeholders in the process, and using multiple sources of data appropriately to make improvements that will make a difference.

01-31-2024

Matthew Johnson []

I am a lifelong Iowa resident and the parent of 3 children currently attending public school. I am opposed to HSB 542/ SSB 3073. Instead of this bill, please support a transparent and comprehensive review of the AEA system using multiple sound data sources and input from school districts, parents, community members, medical professionals and anyone else who currently partners with the AEA in any way. If there is a problem to address, define it, measure it, and propose a clear plan for implementation ensuring there is infrastructure (funding, staffing, professional development, and supervision) before making any changes. The future of my children and the over 500,000 other children enrolled in public and private schools in our state is at stake. Please choose to listen to the parents, educators, and experts in educational systems instead of the political rhetoric. Please do the right thing and do not pass this bill.

01-31-2024

Matthew Johnson []

01-31-2024

Kari Christenson []

I am writing in opposition to the SSB 3073/HSB 542 bill. This bill will have a detrimental effect on the state of education in Iowa. For 50 years the AEA has been in service to students, families, teachers, administrators and school districts to ensure that equitable educational services are provided to ALL students across the state. FOR 50 YEARS! The Governor wants to dismantle a system that has been around for half a century in a matter of months based on inaccurate and misleading information. At this moment, it appears that the only thing the Governor cares about is getting this bill passed quickly and that a real plan of action for how to provide equitable services across the state has not yet been determined. How can taking away the AEAs, the only support system school districts have known for the past 50 years, be the best course of action for students, teachers or districts? How can passing a bill that puts nearly 1000 education professionals in the state of Iowa out of work be the best course of action? How can causing unnecessary and undue stress on schools, administrators, teachers, families and students be the best course of action for our state? I am urging you to make sure you have valid facts, that you truly understand the vital services that AEAs across the state provide (if you don't, please ask and find out), and that you listen to your constituents, the people of Iowa that you claim to work for, because Iowans have spoken loud and clear that they are opposed to this bill.

01-31-2024

Heather Gould []

Each of you has been trusted by Iowans to be our voice, to represent. Please listen. If this bill passes, it WILL NOT lead to improved test scores for our students with disabilities. It WILL lead to complete chaos for students, families, educators, school administrators, and communities. Education in 2024 is complex, from the individual student level to the systems level. The needs of students are great. The AEA system is deeply embedded at all levels and is making a difference. The actions suggested in this bill are comparable to the actions of an untrained surgeon. Imagine treating a hangnail by amputating a limb and then just expecting the bleeding to stop. Should this bill pass, the bleeding will not stop. And Iowa's children will pay the price. Please help.

01-31-2024

Emily Tiedtke []

Please take time to consider, and really understand both the short and longterm consequences of this bill. I think for anyone who truly understands how this system works in this state understands that there will be significant consequences Consequences that will directly affect, teachers, students, AND special education students. As a proud Iowan, I am disheartened by the way this Democratic process has not been upheld in this particular issue with the AEAs to date. I hope that, as a democracy should work, constituents are heard and a resolution is reached to best serve CHILDREN in our state. We are talking about supporting children here and that deserves pause, collaboration, and hard work. Please vote no to this hsb542 and its amended form.

01-31-2024

Jana Hosek []

Many people have summarized the countless ways AEA are an asset and service to children, schools, and communities. It really comes down to who legislators are beholden to because voters/tax payers have made their stances clear. This bill has no business making it out of committee.

01-31-2024

Ellen Wubbels []

I am urging you to vote no on this bill. I have read the bill and as a former teacher, I can see no positive outcome for students, and especially for special needs students. I listened carefully and read closely comments from one senator saying essentially that schools are not getting their dollars worth in services versus the amount they pay in to the AEA. I think its fair to say that the AEA is like an insurance policy. Some people pay diligently for years and never use as many of the potential benefits as others. Others receive benefits far beyond what they pay. But everyone agrees that it is a necessary system. The AEA is a necessary system in order to provide all students with the services they need to progress and thrive. Slow down, take a longer look, and look at and beyond the AEA to resolve the issue of student performance. Look at the schools, the teachers, the para educators. They all impact student achievement. Please do not tear the house down because the faucet is leaking.

01-31-2024

Jeremy Parrish []

I am writing to strongly encourage you to vote no on the new bill that would eliminate the Area Education Agencies (AEA) in our state. This bill would be detrimental to the state of education. As an educator of the Western Dubuque Community School District, I cannot possibly count the number of times I have relied on the expert knowledge from the AEA staff. They have helped with strategies to help special education students and given advice on interventions related to general education students. Their assistance has helped keep some of the bubble kids off an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Honestly, I could go on and on of the tremendous impacts the AEA has had on both students and adults. Their impact reaches further than just when students are in school. Their assistance helps create productive members of society. They are there to help those students who some have given up on. Their compassion and dedication to the children they serve in unmatched. I have become a better educator due to the training I have received from the AEA. I am able to take what I learn at those trainings and implement them into my classroom which benefits all students. I firmly believe Governor Reynolds has brought politics into education on this issue. It appears her main goal is to completely destroy the education system in favor of privatization and radical ideas. She isnt even forthcoming and truthful with the people of Iowa. She blatantly lied about the purpose of the AEAs simply so she could press her agenda. The people of Iowa have spoken out against her plan. As a leader and legislator, it is your responsibility to listen to and represent the people based on all the information. This bill is not supported with any substantial data and the people of Iowa have spoken loudly in their disagreement with this piece of legislature. I ask that you please make sure you are fully informed of the impact this bill would have on the education system. The future of Iowas children is on the line here. The impacts the AEAs have had on students far outweighs any false negative connotations that our governor is spreading throughout the state. While I fully understand leadership means making difficult decisions, those decisions should be made for the greater good of the people. That is why I ask you to be a leader in this situation and say no to this destructive piece of legislation. This bill will create irreparable damage for the students and school districts of Iowa. There appears to be a lack of data to support these drastic changes. Basing these decisions without the input of the people of Iowa is reckless and downright negligent. We have not seen any data to support the people of Iowa need or want this change.

01-31-2024

Sharon Clark []

As an Iowa voter, mother, and school psychologist I ask that you not move forward with this bill. AEAs are valuable resources for ALL students and school staff. There is much misinformation that has been published about funding, structures, and success of students. The impact of this decision will be far reaching for years to come and it will not be a positive one for Iowa students.

01-31-2024

Kirstin Miller []

As the Iowa GOP continues to chip away at public school funding, smaller schools suffer with less staff, less learning resources, less of everything. Small schools in small towns will die with out AEA assistance for hearing and vision screenings, digital database resources, professional development & training for staff. AEAs give small schools and districts "occupational, physical and speechlanguage therapists; school psychologists; behavior interventions; and curriculum consultants."

01-31-2024

Susan Mitchell []

Please support Iowa teachers and school districts and keep the AEAs as they are. Being a teacher is tough enough, please don't make it harder for them to find the support they need to educate our kids.

01-31-2024

Jodi Paup []

Please vote NO otherwise education as we have known it and appreciated it will never be the same in Iowa. I have given 25 years of my life to educate students in Iowa. Iv been proud of the way we serve students in our state. We work together because together we are BETTER! Educators and AEA staff work TOGETHER to do whatever is best for kids and their learning. Ive seen it over and overwhich is why I cant comprehend how this bill could change ALL of that in six months time. There has been no collaboration with school districts, AEAs, and families who will be affected by this legislation. It feels like a hostile takeoverthat will be SO detrimental to the children in Iowa! Please do whats right for our statevote NO!!!

01-31-2024

Bridget Thompson []

I am pleading with you to listen to the voices of your constituents and please vote no on the amended bill HSB 542. The AEA and all of the services they provide have made an incredible impact on my life and my family! The AEA was there to provide support when I brought home my daughter after she was born prematurely. They came into our home and provided her with therapy and most of all their services gave our family hope for a future! My daughter received early childhood special education, PT, OT, and Speech services before starting school and special education and AEA support services throughout her schooling to help prepare her for life after graduation. I was inspired by her dedicated AEA team to go back to college and get my degree in special education. I taught special education in Lake Mills for 18 years working alongside the AEA school team and relying on their services and guidance. I attended AEA trainings to help me become a better teacher and reach more students in the ways that they learn best. Now, I work for the Central Rivers AEA as a special ed consultant. I couldnt ask for a better team of dedicated professionals to work with! The AEAs passion for helping all students through collaborative effort is making a difference in the lives of children, families, and educators! I had hoped to work for the AEA until I retired. Now, I am worried about the future of education in Iowa!Please help protect our AEA, Iowa children, and the career I love.

01-31-2024

Kylie VanderFeen []

I am asking that you please please please say no to this bill! As a parent to a Spina Bifida daughter, we have used a lot of the AEA resources since she has been born, and have now seen the impact from a parent perspective of how important the AEA is for our daughter in the school setting as she is in preschool now. Im also a public educator and know how important every aspect is! I do not see how this bill would positively change the education and resources that parents, teachers, and students receive. PLEASE SAY NO TO THIS BILL!!!

01-31-2024

Susan Shipley-Lawrence [Des Moines Schools]

Good Morning,My name is Susan ShipleyLawrence. I am a 38 year veteran teacher in Des Moines. I have spent my entire career teaching special education and/or supporting special education students, teachers and families a a special education consultant. AEA's fill in the gaps for schools. If we don't have specific materials, the AEA does. If we don't have a good understanding of curriculum or teaching practices, the AEA sends out a specialist to help build our practice. If we don't have expertise in a low incident area disability, the AEA sends out some who is an expert. They provide quality instruction to both students and staff. I believe it is not in the best interest of our students in Iowa to change the current format of AEA's. I'm also concerned that the Department of Education would oversee the AEA's based on this bill. It is my understanding that the leadership at DOE Iowa does not have a background in education. It is bewildering to me, that someone who hasn't been a teacher, principal, superintendent, would have the skills to lead this charge for the students of Iowa. We have exceptionally qualified folks in Iowa who would have the skills. Many of them are currently directors for our AEA's. I ask that you do not dismantle the AEA's on behalf of our special needs students, families and staff. Susan ShipleyLawrence

01-31-2024

Rhonda Conrad []

Please reject this bill! It does nothing to improve Iowas educational system. It does nothing to help our most valuable resources, our children. Iowans do NOT support this bill. Use your conscience and your vote to do the right thing.

01-31-2024

Jessica Johnston []

While I am in full support of increasing educator pay, I cannot stand behind this bill attacking the AEAs. My son had feeding issues when he was younger. There was a long (and costly) wait for Blank. I called the AEA who were there to help my son within days. He qualified for services and within 9 months, he was exited due to the hard work by the AEA OT and consultant. We have not had any issues since his exit (8 years later). The AEAs are not failing kids. This bill is an attack on the most vulnerable population, students with disabilities, many who are too young to speak for themselves. Please vote no to this bill.

01-31-2024

Cory Johnson []

I believe that the portion of SSB 3073 that restructures the AEA system will have a significantly negative impact on students, families, and schools (public and private). The full impact of the proposal is not well understood for fully known. I urge you to vote no on the bill in its current form.

01-31-2024

Luke Roling []

I ask you to oppose SSB 3073. The proposed changes will undermine the stability of vital services for all Iowans, disproportionately affecting those in rural communities for whom AEAs serve with an efficiency that will not be provided by the private sector.

01-31-2024

Rick Vazquez []

Please support our AEAs by voting NO to this bill. I grew up in a rural school (Washington, IA). I received an excellent education thanks, in part, to GWAEA. I want my children at Clear Creek Amana school to have the same opportunities I had.I am a republican voter and am strongly opposed to this bill. Thank you for your support,

01-31-2024

Nicolette Dunn-Critser []

Never once have I driven into an AEA parking lot and looked around and thought, these people make too much money. Ive never seen AEA employees offering services at school and thought, why does this job exist. I have thought, man I wish there were a dozen more of some of these people. Bc their impact is huge. As a parent, as a tax payer, as a citizen of Iowa I say leave the AEAs alone. Theyre doing an amazing job, if anything pump more money into them and public schools. Children are the future, stop messing with their education. Youre ruining it and making it impossible for districts to fulfill the needs of their students.

01-31-2024

Angie Bollmeyer []

This bill is going to take away supports for my children's teachers. I have used the AEA services since my kids were 4 yrs old. Without their expertise, know, and guidance I am sure my boys would.not be where they are today. The AEA helped support their teachers and we're a vital piece to the team. Teachers have so much in their plate already and now you are going to take away their support system?? Seems backwards to me. Ask yourself these questions: Who asked for this change? Iowans? Schools? Parents? (AEA'S have a 97% satisfaction rating.)Where is the data that shows this is going to close gaps and increase test scores? Have you looked at DMPS (Doesn't use the AEA) data and compared it with schools who use the AEA'S? Who is going to hold the DoE and Director Snow accountable??

01-31-2024

Sue Peters [Glenwood Community Schools]

Please do not take the AEA away. Ive been teaching for 35 years and I can tell you the AEA has sways been a vital part of our schools. It provides so many services to our schools that wouldnt be possible otherwise. The cost to our schools would take a huge hit without these services being provided. Teachers are able to use media that they otherwise wouldnt have access to. The AEA is an important part in the school and it would be a mistake to take it away.

01-31-2024

Dan Elliott []

Please vote NO on this amended AEA bill. This is too quick. Financially this is going to be tough on smaller schools and especially of some schools decide to pull out of their AEA. Also, schools have to decide by June 1st? How do schools know what services they are going to need for the next school year in June? Please vote no.

01-31-2024

Sue Peters [Glenwood Community Schools]

01-31-2024

Kris Colwell [Voter]

I am asking you to VOTE NO on this bill. The reason given to Iowan's for why this dismantling of the AEAs that test scores are low for special education students, I ask you how is taking away vital supports to all schools, both urban and rural going to help teachers and students to improve scores? Another reason was to give local control to the districts but 133 times in this bill the Director of the Department of Ed is actually the person saying yes or no to schools requests, how is that "local control"? Why are schools not also getting the media services flow through money to use to pay for the media services that this new amended bill allows them to use? Where is that money going instead of helping teachers and students succeed? Please take the time to look at individual AEAs and where they ARE excelling? Looked at what different AEAs are doing WELL to try to replicate that? Looked at how AEAs can share expertise so that we can all be stronger? Do the comprehensive review the Governor talked about. Please VOTE NO!!!

01-31-2024

Lindsay Seamer [Pleasant valley community school district ]

I urge subcommittee members to listen to their constituents support of AEAs as they stand currently. Please give due diligence of facts and data driving this bill. AEAs are already efficient and already have oversight. The alternative is far less efficient and will negatively impact many! There are far too many learners and families directly impacted to quickly push a particular agenda through without proper vetting. I oppose SSB 3073

01-31-2024

Denise Geier []

Please do not pass the bill giving total control to our students success in the state of Iowa to one person. That person holds a political science degree and has only taught in Africa while working on a graduate degree at Kansas State. I do not see much change to the original bill in the governors amendments. I am a lifelong Iowan. I vote. This bill needs much more debate and a vote No!

01-31-2024

Denise Geier []

01-31-2024

Jane Chaillie []

The AEA plays an important role in supporting teaching and learning across the state. My son struggled with speech at an early age, the AEA Early Access team was there to help intervene early. Not only did they help us as a family they helped our entire state save money as his services were short term. As an educator, I dont have enough time in the day to keep current on all the latest research but my friends at the AEA help me polish my skills to do what is best for kids. When we have challenging situations or behaviors, the crisis prevention team or challenging behavior team help develop plans for the success of students and staff. Please before you make a drastic changes to the AEA system, do a real study of their impact on student learning. Dont rob our students and teachers of these resources!

01-31-2024

Randall S []

I am speaking and encouraging you to stop this action immediately. I am a dedicated Republican, who would stand up for the party at all cost. There appears, however, to be way too many inconsistencies of facts that have been proven wrong as the basis for this bill. I have children and grandchildren and I know the services that have been provided for them. When this is destroyed, it's going to be very difficult for all the children and to be honest for the Republican party. Stop this ridiculous action right now.

01-31-2024

Amy Thiessen []

Again, I am voicing my support of AEAs. The revisions are inappropriate and do nothing to improve it. Its all verbiage. The amount of people from all parts of the political spectrum against bill HSB542 and its modified versions are vast. We know what matter. Gov. Reynolds is so out of touch and acting in alarming selfishness. This will not stand. We feel the struggles of sending our kids to Iowa schools already. Teacher and staff are heros and find ways to be successful and be a light to so many. Meanwhile their support system, continues to erode their supports and abilities to do their jobs and we LOVE POINTING fingers at these lovely humans. Please vote against these bills. Please vote against everything she tries to implement. She cannot be trusted to do what is best. Thank you

01-31-2024

Alicia Bellville []

I am asking you to OPPOSE this bill. This is not the first year this party has taken from our public school system. Our students deserve better than to continually have resources, funding, and people taken away from their education system. The Governor says she is doing this to increase special education students' proficiency, but what in this bill will help improve that? Instead of putting in more supports, you are intending on removing the people whom support the special education and general education teachers. You will be removing funding from MENTAL HEALTH, when you say mental health is the reason we had the terrible incident in Perry. You are removing resources and media resources that allow teachers and direct service providers to be the best they can be requiring these people to use their own money to supply materials to support these students. When you cut millions of dollars multiple years in a row, it makes it difficult to provide the best we can for our children. Please take your time in reviewing this. Please really think of the children not how to gain more control of the system and funding. Privatizing education is not the answer. This is the best way to make sure the poor, disabled, and at risk students get left behind, and will take away the equity we currently have across the state. Education and mental health should not be a partisan issue. We should all be working together to promote the best and most growth for our students and the future of Iowa. Think of our students first and vote NO.

01-31-2024

Ashley Nielsen-Wise []

Good Morning. I kindly urge you to vote NO to this bill, even with the amendments that have been brought forth since the introduction of this bill.If the goal is to improve the special education services and supports for students with disabilities, this bill is NOT doing that in the slightest. Additionally, this bill is taking away many services that assist with the achievement gaps of ALL students. I went to a small school and greatly benefited from the servicesof the AEA.However, when I went to college; I still noticed gaps between myself and my counterparts who had gone to larger schools where they were able to experience more.Do you really want to harm the education of ALL students of the State of Iowa, putting the future success of our state/country at risk?The way that the bill is currently written, with the amendment, the localdecision making authority is actually transferred from the local level to the Director of the Iowa Department of Education, another agency, or is simply eliminated 133 times, taking power away from the State Board of Education (elected positions who should be representative of their constituents) to the Iowa Department of Education Director (an appointed position).Will the DE actually make these decisions, or will the DE outsource this to another agency outside of the state (taking jobs away from Iowans?), or worse yet just completely eliminate the decisions made 133 times?The amendmentgives the Department of Managementpower over total tax levy remains. This provision will allow the Department of Management to arbitrarilyreduce a district's levy after an elected board approved the levy rate which will establish precedent for overturning locally controlled decisions by LOCALLY elected board. To me this is a shift not from control of state/federal funding to the school districts, it has the ability to take it away and take away power from the schools and locally elected school boards.Taking away local power and local rights! The amendment prohibits some sharing agreements (such as shared Social Workers, Tech, School Business officials) which many schools use to save money. In my previous experience through my educational career, this means that I would not have had the opportunity to take certain classes and be exposed to certain technology which would have hindered my educational growth. Again, creating a gap between myself and students of other states/larger districts. The bill is to "help" those with disabilities, but what happens when the bill ends up hurting not only those with disabilities but also general education students. Many schools in rural districts and lower socioeconomic districts are going to SUFFER because of this.Per the new amendment, there is no funding to support the local school district choice for AEAs to contract for media.The timeline is June 1st of THIS YEAR. With all of the services that the AEA currently provides, and with all of the proposed changes if this bill were to go through, do you really think that every school district and the department of education would be ready and prepared for these massive changes that soon? So again... more HARM done than good.This amendmentleaves teacher pay increases despite local school districts concerns about budget issues. Of course we want to increase teacher pay, but what happens when small schools/low socioeconomicschools can't afford enough teachers? What are the kids supposed to do then?Reducing funding for the AEA would jeopardize the abovementioned benefits,negativelyimpacting the educational landscape in our community. Students, especially those in smaller and more rural school districts, will suffer from a lack of support, and teachers will struggle without the necessary resources to provide quality education.I kindly urge you to consider the longterm consequences of reducing funding for the AEA and advocate for maintaining or even increasing support for this essential agency. Our community's future depends on the education provided to our children, and I trust that you will make decisions thatprioritize their success.The success of the future children of our state, determines the future of success of our state. Vote NO to this bill.

01-31-2024

Victoria Willoughby []

I have proudly worked for Heartland AEA for almost 10 years as a speechlanguage pathologist and in that time I have experienced incredible support and growth as a clinician and as an educator. I have been extremely saddened and disheartened by the governor's proposal of HSB 542. It has been made very clear that the writers of this bill do not understand all that is needed to support children with special needs and the classrooms within which we want all students to thrive. I firmly believe that all of Iowas children and families deserve the best education, not just those who can afford it. This bill would dismantle agencies that have worked tirelessly towards that goal and with that same core belief. I would ask that you vote against this bill. Our students and families deserve so much better.

01-31-2024

Deb Kock [WLEA]

As a public school educator for 25 + years I strongly advise you to vote againstHB 542. l attended a virtual town hall and listened to parents, former students and educators plea for the services that their local AEAs provide! The Dept. of Ed.Cannot handle these specialized jobs! support and stand with the AEAs for the equity of our students!

01-31-2024

Kerry Biondi-Morlan []

Iowa has the third lowest special education complaints in the nation. There are reasons for this. AEA are local with boots on the ground, they build relationships with students, families and districts. The professionals receive topnotch, relevant professional development that allows staff to practice at the top of their license, there is little staff turnover, and it allows for equitable services. Destroying AEAs will not close the achievement gap. Let us work together as a team to help students.

01-31-2024

Morgan Stone []

As a parent in a small to medium sized district just outside the metro, I have major concerns as to how my children will access media, and technology services without their district having to jump through a ton of hoops. I also worry about their teachers ability to fully implement evidence based practices. This bill and its amendments seem to add red tape where none is needed. I, along with many others as evidenced by this public comment thread, am opposed to this bill and its amendments.

01-31-2024

Amanda Spohn []

I am asking that you please do not support this bill. The AEA has been a huge help with not only just education for subjects of all kinds but just with helping with kids with down syndromes autism ADHD. With everything that's coming up through this world the AEA needs to be supported, not downsized not gotten rid of. It needs to stick around and be with us for a lot longer. Our teachers not only suffer but the bigger picture is that our children will because They won't have access to all the information that AEA can provide to help them learn and just to support them again. Please do not support this bill. AEA also provides support for children struggling that have yet to enter school. Without AEA support those children, parents, and teacher will struggle more than they need to in order to help the child learn and succeed. Again please DON'T support this bill.

01-31-2024

Amanda Spohn []

01-31-2024

Billie Wilson []

This bill will hurt all students and especially rural schools. Why change the AEA based on an out of state study and not even consult Iowa schools who use the AEAs? Why post job openings before the bill is even provided? If it looks like a train and sounds like a train, it's our education system being railroaded. If iowa schools are failing and thr Republicans have had full control of the schools for 20 plus years then who is at fault? Vote no on SSB3073

01-31-2024

Robin Heuser []

HSB 542 and SSB 3073 do not have Iowans best interests in mind and would cause irreversible damage to our education system. Please listen to and represent your constituents by killing this bill. Stand up to the governors intimidation tactics and threats. We are counting on you!

01-31-2024

Anne Stupar []

Please vote no to House File 542/Senate Study Bill 3073. The focus of the AEA is to help support our students, families, teachers, school staff, schools and districts in a large variety of ways. There is a strong team approach with the AEA and the schools; they work together to provide the best outcomes for ALL students in ALL areas (big and small school districts). I urge you to please think about all the wonderful services and supports (both at the forefront of the daily work being done in schools as well as those that are less visible day to day but still very present and extremely beneficial in the success of our children and their teachers) that are provided to all students, teachers, school staff, schools and districts. I honestly dont think that most people have knowledge about the extent to which AEAs support students, families, teachers, school staff, schools, and districts. Please listen and have an open heart and mind to the voice of your constituents and vote no.

01-31-2024

Sherri Boschee [Lenox Community School ]

As a teacher, I have seen firsthand what the AEA does for our public schools. From the psychologists that work with students who have experienced trauma, two specialists, who work with students with special needs, and their teachers, to those who assist school districts with data analysis and discovering new and improved ways to deliver instruction. All of these services and more are essential to the success of all Iowa students. Please vote no on SSB 3073.

01-31-2024

Melannie Trees []

Do not pass HSB 542. If approved, the impact will extend far beyond the school setting, influencing entire communities, particularly rural ones, and negatively impacting Iowa's youth. If the goal is to advance our society through education, then this proposed bill undeniably puts that goal at risk along with the future achievements and welfare of Iowas children. Please listen to your constituents and vote NO to this bill because it is ultimately not what is best for Iowas kids and Iowas schools.

01-31-2024

Marie Schilling []

Please protect our AEAs. They play a vital role that cannot be filled as efficiently or efficiently as a variety of different contract companies. Contracted help does not mean quality help. Rural communities will be most affected. Please listen to Iowans!

01-31-2024

Lee Goldsmith []

There are longer, more detailed comments that provide excellent points. These shouldn't need to be made. This shouldn't be this complicated. If something on its face doesn't make sense, it should raise a red flag. This bill reads as another axe strike to our invaluable public schools. Why would we restrict our educators from research insights? Why limit our childrens' access to services and equity. Our public schools are available to all of us, and we need them to be strong. They are not just 6 hours of class time. They are the foundation of our community, and so is anything and anyone who supports our public schools. How can I possibly support a politician or legislation that would harm our children.

01-31-2024

Mary Fasse-Shaw [Retired Educator ]

I am asking for you to vote no on SSB 3073. Please kill it in committee before it goes to a whole Senate vote. As a retired high school educator, I can attest to the numerous benefits in all areas that the AEAs gives to students, teachers, and school districts. This is an ill conceived bill that was written by an out of state agency that knows nothing about Iowa and Iowa education. We now have a head of the DOE that does not have an education background. How can this even be helpful? Governor Ray and a bipartisan legislature started the AEAs so that all schools would have equal access to services. Governor Ray isnt just turning over in his grave; he is spinning. He would be appalled at this bill. What is the hurry on this bill? Political expedience? The AEAs work. Vote no! Please!

01-31-2024

Amy Conlin [Keystone AEA]

Im deeply disappointed in the introduction of this bill and the implications that the AEA are failing, special education students. This bill is what will fail special education students with the cuts it is proposing in the media resources and trying to privatize resources to special education. This will cause rural schools to suffer and ultimately the students, the kids will suffer.

01-31-2024

Leslie Moore []

Consolidating power in the executivelyrun Department of Education through this amended bill in the name of oversight and choice is a political move, rather than a response to Iowa citizens' needs and concerns about education in Iowa. The Governor is putting our elected officials in the position of supporting her agenda or listening to Iowans affected by these unnecessary actions. I implore our elected officials to listen to their constituents and the thousands of hours they have collectively given to make their voice heard on this issue. Children's welfare and confidence in our state representation is at stake.

01-31-2024

Donna McClain []

I do NOT support any part of this bill. I have spent time looking through these comments and I have yet to find a single one that supports this. Every comment is asking you to vote NO. Please listen to your constituents. They are the people you represent. You were elected because they believed you would be their voice at the capitol. Now their voices are screaming at you to vote no, please listen. This is how democracy works! As a mother of a three children and an educator my family has benefited from all parts of the AEA. Our oldest was born with a cleft lip and need speech therapy. We could not have afforded a private company to provide this for him. We also used the AEA hearing specialist and behavior consultant to educate us as parents about how to help our child. Our middle child was talented and gifted in math. The AEA math consultant helped her teachers provide her with accelerated learning. This is one important aspect of what the content consultants do for teachers. They use their extensive knowledge in literacy, math, science, CTE, social studies, and technology to assess children that are not only struggling but need more acceleration. Our third child struggled with reading in kindergarten. The AEA content consultant helped his teachers by giving them research based strategies that targeted his specific needs. He did not qualify for an IEP so without the general education literacy consultant he would not have had support. As a principal and superintendent, my husband relied on the general education services from the AEA to provide professional learning to his staff, to support behaviorally challenged children, and to provide support during times of crisis. He also needed the services of the special education consultants. Small districts in rural Iowa will not be to find all of this support. Their flow through dollars that the will not cover the costs of all the support personnel they currently receive from AEAs. Please listen to your voters!

01-31-2024

Janelle Schorg []

I would like to know how dismantling the AEAs will improve student achievement? Where is the research? The evidence based practices? Schools are required to implement evidence based practices when they have a designation so why shouldnt the state/department of education need to too. This bill does not address the root cause that the governor would like to improve and I believe it will actually make it worse.

01-31-2024

Glenda Wiltgen [West Lyon Com. School]

This bill needs to be STOPPED. I have worked with our AEA for over 30 years. They do amazing things for our schools. They give us resources that we use many times a day; everyday we teach and/or plan. Public schools take every child that is brought to us. We don't get to deny or turn away anyone. We need help dealing with and figuring out some students. As teachers we are wearing thin and taking this away from us is one more thing hurting our students in Iowa. Please tell Governor Reynolds that it is time to start putting Iowa students first. Her testing information is not even relevant anymore. Listen to your teachers. The ones using this valuable resource, should have the most power when deciding this. Why are people who no nothing about being in a classroom, working with kids, making this decision? Ask the people who use this. STOP THIS BILL. Thanks,Glennie Wiltgen

01-31-2024

Nancy Welu [Retired AEA Special Education Consultant]

As a employee with Keystone AEA for twenty five years and now retired, this bill frightens me as to what it could do for the schools, families, teachers and the students in Iowa schools. AEAS provide services to all students in Iowa, public and private schools. All school districts receive support, urban and rural. To support this bill would destroy all the excellent services that have been provided to schools and children for fifty years. Please vote no!

01-31-2024

Cynthia Sellers []

I am a recently retired teacher from an Iowa public school. Over the course of my career I used the services of my AEA almost/if not every day to support my teaching. I had many books in my classroom (most bought with my own money) but in order to meet the needs of all my students and support the curriculum I would order boxes and boxes of books. This service was awesome and allowed my teaching to be more engaging and accessible to my students. Many times I was fortunate to participate in professional development led by the staff of my AEA. This was vital to my growth as an educator. Please consider carefully the implications of allowing this bill to happen. Listen to those of us who know first hand how important AEAs are in educating Iowas students.

01-31-2024

Jennifer LIghtbody []

Please reject this bill. It will reduce resources dedicated to special needs children. Centralization in the state Department of Education will dilute the expertise that is in place now to help families. It will lead to siphoning funds to form a bigger state bureaucracy.

01-31-2024

Jennifer Funk []

As a school psychologist who has spent the great majority of my 18 year career working in the AEA system, I am opposed to SSB 3073. Im a native Iowan with great pride in the education I received in a very small rural district. It is this pride that drove me to return to my home state after graduate school and internship in Michigan. In my field, Iowas AEA system is revered as the gold standard model of service. I implore you to slow down and truly understand what the AEA provides equity and access to highquality educational opportunities and resources. No school lacks vital services changing this would mean unequal access across our state. Additionally, the economy of scale AEA can leverage helps save taxpayer money while ensuring highquality services are provided. Many questions remain as to how HSB 542 will do the same. Please vote no on this bill.

01-31-2024

Brad Lake []

Please vote down this bill! I dont know one person who supports this bill. It begs the question, besides our Governor, who was asking for this change to our AEA?! Not teachers, not parents, not administrators! So why is this bill even here in the first place! Look at these comments and remember youre in your position to represent the people who elected you. Its obvious where the public stand on this issue. Please vote accordingly. Thank you!!

01-31-2024

Scott Walberg []

Ive had several friends that have needed and utilized the services provided by the AEA. I grew up in a rural community as well. These services are vital to many school districts across our state. They need to remain localized to provide the level of service needed for the child and minimize out of class time. ive never seen DE staff in a classroom, at a school administration meeting, or a school board meeting. The AEA staff is regularly at these places, getting feedback and providing input, working together for our states children. The governor has not provided any studies, research, or feedback from school boards, superintendents, principals, or even AEA field staff across the state to back this bill! She has twisted and misrepresented the stats, and already changed her stance because of lack of knowledge and research. I urge our all of our representatives to dig to the bottom of why this is really happening! There is NO clear path or plan for succession. SLOW down, first figure out if there is truly a problem. Always room for improvement, but to throw out the current system, build a brand new one with no clear plan, no standards to measure that plan, with no shown cost savings, is for sure a detriment to school districts, families, and children across our state! THE Very people you represent. I urge you to vote this bill down.

01-31-2024

Sheri Hosek []

I strongly urge you to NOT support this bill. Our students, teachers, and administrators need the services that AEA providesnot only the special ed services, but the educational and media services aspects of the AEA, not just the special education services.The educational and media services departments greatly benefit students with IEPs also. Below are some of those ways:Assistive technology teams and technology resources that are available for consult to any district, no matter how big or how small. While assistive technology may still be available under the restructuring, the AEA staff's ability to collaborate as a team, attend conferences to build their knowledge to share with teachers, and respond immediately to phone calls will be a thing of the past.General education consultants who partner with both general education and SPED teachers to ensure teachers are getting the most uptodate professional development and that students are getting strong instruction in both the general education and special education settingsBehavior support teams that can go into districts upon request, free of charge, to observe challenging behaviors from students and coach teachers to reinforce positive behaviors.Administrative support Special education doesn't exist in a silo, it is part of an overall system. That system needs to be data driven and ran efficiently. AEA staff consult with and support administrators to ensure data is being used to properly provide intervention before special education identification and used to monitor to ensure students are progressing towards their IEP goals.Media services provides countless resources to ensure teachers have manipulatives for students who need them and rich text to enhance oral language skills. Cutting the media services part of the AEA will have a disproportionate impact on rural districts.Again, please do NOT support this bill, as it will hurt our state's children by not giving them all the incredibly helpful tools they need in order to succeed.

01-31-2024

Monica Augspurger []

I have been a speech language pathologist(SLP) for 30 years. This bill will have a negative impact on the services and supports that students and schools receive across the state. I have worked at Heartland AEA as an SLP in Iowa for 25 of years. As an SLP in the AEA system I have had access to more professional development and collaboration opportunities with other SLPs and teachers at no extra expense to the school district. This is beneficial to the students that I serve as well as the teachers that I work with.If the Legislature truly feel that something needs to be done to decrease the budget to AEAs or provide more fiscal decisionmaking for school districts, then sitting down with districts and AEAs to come up with a plan that truly benefits students makes the most sense. This is NOT happening right now. This bill is being pushed through for reason that I do not truly feel are in anyone's best interest, especially Iowa children. Please consider who is really benefitting from this bill by thoroughly digging into the facts. Look all ALL of that data, not just the data that the governor is showing you. I think that you will see that Iowa students are succeeding. Thank you for reading.

01-31-2024

JoDee Granberg []

Please vote no on this bill. There has not been enough research with educators, kids, parents or others who know how much the AEA does for all. Why is there such rush to push this through now? Due diligence needs to be done. Our rural schools do not have the resources to find the help needed in a timely manner. Our kids don't deserve this. Our children are living in tough times. It's not always about test scores....they are often left to fend for themselves. The programs and support provided by AEA cannot be discarded and/or handed over to organizations who don't have the skills or knowledge to know how to help. They need these trained professionals to help in all areas of their lives. Trauma and behavior is a huge part of that. Please don't let our kids be the victims of rushed decisions based on shifting funds and taking away programs that are necessary for their success.

01-31-2024

Jennifer Horn-Frasier []

As a former public school teacher in Iowa, as a parent of public school children, and as a nearly lifelong resident of Iowa, I join the thousands of other citizens of Iowa to exhort the legislature NOT to pass this harmful bill. If passed, it would do immeasurable damage to our public education system, which is already under attack and struggling. I have experienced firsthand the expert help and benefit of our worldclass AEA employees, expertise and help which is simply not available through any other accessible, affordable means. My children are already considering relocating to another state that is more supportive of public education and other values we hold dear. Please do not pass this terrible legislation and give them yet another reason to leave.

01-31-2024

Shelly Henderson []

Please vote no on SSB3073/HSB542. Why are we rushing to dismantle AEA? Who is this really benefiting? Please realize that the majority of Iowans, the people you work for, do not want this! Vote NO!

01-31-2024

Mackenzie Freeland []

Please listen to Iowans and oppose this bill. The quality of education in Iowa will absolutely suffer without AEAs as will the families and educators who need their support. vote NO to this bill and put our students first.

01-31-2024

Judi McCarty []

I am opposed to this bill. It will not help support test scores to our students with disabilities. What it will do is take away their supports through the AEA. Teachers will have less to work with and wont have the AEA staff to get ideas and resources from. Parents will not have the resources they need through this bill. Unfortunately, through this bill will probably lose educated professionals that will move out of our state. Please say NO to this bill.

01-31-2024

Cherie Miner []

Iowa children and families are already being underserved thanks to 30+ years of cuts to education, especially with last year's giveaway to private schools. These cuts shortchange rural districts, which also endanger rural communities as schools are often the largest employer. Are you trying to turn Iowa into an unlivable rural wasteland?If you care about Iowa building a prosperous future, you will start investing in our kids via education, and you can start with a NO vote on this bill. Our AEAs provide many services that support children, families and schools. My daughter, and several classmates, worked with a speech therapist in early elementary to help her develop the full complement of sounds to speak correctly. Most rural schools wouldn't have access to those services without the AEA. Iowans value education. Are you listening? It's an election year, and voters are paying attention.

01-31-2024

Sandlease do not allow this bill to advance out of committee. It is moving too fast. It is trying to dismantle a system that has been in place and sra Carroll []

Please do not allow this bill to advance out of committee. It is moving too fast. It is trying to dismantle a system that has been in place and served us well for 50 years and restructure it in 5 months. There is no funding to support the local school district's choice for AEAs to contract media. This bill gives too much control to the director of the department of education, including complete authority over AEA staffing, contracts, salaries, reorganizations, and dissolving AEAs. What happened to local control? This bill is not in the best interest of our students and of Iowa schools. Do not support it!

01-31-2024

Thea Kurtz []

Iowa children deserve support and every opportunity we can give them to flourish. Birth to 3 program is critical for many Iowa children. Brain development experiences the greatest growth in the first 2 years of life, making this such a critical time for intervention. In the schools are teachers need to support of the AEA to help their students meet their potential. A cut to these programs will have devastating affects on the health, development, and safety of our children. Please consider not moving forward with this bill.

01-31-2024

Sandi E []

As a longtime K 12 Iowa educator who has served as a classroom teacher as well as a teacher librarian, I am writing to bring attention to the vitally important role that Area Education Agencies (AEAs) play in Iowa, particularly in supporting the diverse needs of general education students. Without a doubt our AEAs provide invaluable services to our special education students, who make up approximately 1015% of our schoolage children according to national statistics. Let us not overlook the 8590% of general education students who also benefit tremendously from the wide range of services that AEAs provide.AEAs significantly impact general education by providing specialized services. These services cater to a broad spectrum of student needs, including academic enrichment. With the support of technology consultants from my own AEA, students in my building were wholly engaged using Google Expeditions goggles to extend their learning in social studies classes. Not only was this kind of hardware and technology cost prohibitive for my building, but teachers were also unprepared to deliver this kind of instruction without significant support from AEA staff. Only with significant guidance and support from our AEA were all students able to actively take part in this unique learning experience that otherwise would have been unavailable to them.Moreover, AEAs play a crucial role in bolstering the mental health for students across Iowa. Recognizing the interconnected nature of academic success and emotional wellbeing, AEAs collaborate with schools to provide targeted mental health services, ranging from counseling and therapy programs to educational resources that promote emotional resilience. AEAs serve as facilitators of professional development for educators, empowering them with the tools and strategies needed to identify and address students' mental health needs effectively. If general education AEA services are cut or eliminated, the kinds of services provided to students, staff, and community members in Perry after a school shooting there would not be available.The loss of library and media services provided by AEAs would undoubtedly have severe detrimental effects on Iowas educational landscape. These services play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of literacy, research, and information literacy within schools. Without the support of AEAs, schools may struggle to complement robust and uptodate library collections, limiting all students' access to resources. In addition, AEAs provide subscriptions to databases that are treasure troves of information, providing all educators and students with valid, reliable, and uptodate resources. The availability of such vetted, current databases enhances research capabilities and fosters a culture of continuous learning. As a classroom teacher and teacher librarian, I have found these databases to be absolutely crucial to teaching website and source evaluation. My youngest students used databases like BookFLIX and PebbleGO to promote a love of reading and curiosity in research; my middle school students searched databases like TrueFLIX and Britannica Online to support their research needs and NovelPlus to extend their fiction reading; and, my high school students use databases like SIRS and Points of View Reference Center to frame and develop research papers using scholarly, vetted resources. The absence of media services like these could hinder the integration of technology into the curriculum, impeding students' digital literacy skills. The loss of these services would not only impact the quality of education but also undermine efforts to cultivate critical thinking, research skills, and a love for lifelong learning among all students. It is crucial to recognize and prioritize the vital role that AEAs play in supporting school libraries and media services to ensure a wellrounded education for all students.I urge you to recognize and support the vital role of AEAs in Iowa's education system, particularly in their efforts to enhance the educational experience for general education students. Adequate funding and continued legislative support for AEAs will enable them to maintain and expand their essential services, ultimately contributing to the success and wellbeing of all students in our state.

01-31-2024

Jennifer Gersten []

I want to express my opposition to SSB 3073, even with the modification. Both of my children have directly benefited from AEA services through Grant Wood AEA, ranging from Early ACCESS that helped my younger daughter with developmental delays and feeding difficulties to AEA consultants in the school to help with training and coaching on an IEP and BIP to college readiness supports for my older daughter, who is now in college. This bill will negatively affect the range and quality of services available to the children that need it most. Please do not pass this bill. The AEA model has served this state well and I don't want to lose this for my children or other children.

01-31-2024

Deborah Rose []

Please, please, please consider the chaos that the passage of this bill will create for ALL Iowa students, families, and school districts. Not only is it bad for Iowa education, but the timing of it does not allow for an efficient and effective transition. The DE cannot support districts the way the AEA can. Also, please separate the teacher compensation part of the bill from the AEA part of it.

01-31-2024

John Willoz []

I am a long time Iowa resident with three children going through the Iowa school system. One of the major attractions to Iowa is our excellent education system, and its equally excellent support services. This bill intends to make drastic changes to a system that is not broken. Stop listening to national interests in our local politics and think for yourselves. In the past, both parties worked together in Iowa to protect and incrementally improve our system. Now we have one party that is actively trying to pull it apart to give tax cuts and subsidies to the rich. Listen to your constituents and DO NOT vote for this bill. If you do, constituents like myself will actively campaign against you and convince as many people as possible not to vote for you.

01-31-2024

Susan Langan []

Please oppose HSB 542. I heard from many Republicans after my first letter and I really appreciate your responses that they did not agree with this bill. This bill, even with the amendmendments is not good for Iowa schools and students and families. So many people have spoken out against this bill, including parents, teachers, administrators, AEA folks and even former Department of Education employees. Please listen to them and know that these people are the experts, not folks in Virginia who have created a bill that does not meet the needs of Iowa people. VOTE NO to HSB542

01-31-2024

Patricia OLoughlin []

I am writing to express my sincere concern regarding the potential changes to our current AEA (Area Education Agency) services. These services play a crucial role in providing invaluable support to school administrators, teachers, paraeducators, and most importantly, our highrisk students.AEA services have been instrumental in creating an environment where educators can thrive, ensuring the success of their students. The support provided not only bolsters the professional development of teachers but also enhances the overall educational experience for all students, especially those considered highrisk. These services contribute significantly to the success of our education system as a whole.I implore you to carefully consider the impact that any reduction or alteration of AEA services may have on the educational landscape in our state. The potential consequences, particularly for our highrisk students, are substantial. Preserving these essential services is not just an investment in our educators but also a commitment to the success and wellbeing of the students who need it the most.Your continued support for AEA services will ensure that Iowa's education system remains strong, resilient, and capable of meeting the diverse needs of our students. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your dedication to the betterment of our state's education.

01-31-2024

Cynthia Hinton []

As a retired teacher, I have seen first hand the incredible support AEAs offer teachers, administrators, students, and families. They have positively impacted areas of student learning, curriculum development, teacher training, classroom materials, technology use, and identification of student difficulties. AEA staff has provided support for new state mandates and helped lead educators in meeting these mandates. They have provided emotional support for students educators see this happening when horrendous events occur, such as unexpected student and staff deaths as we just had recently in our state (Perry HS). Our public education system needs this agency and all it offers. I have seen hundreds of students and staff benefit from their services. Please vote no on a bill whose only purpose is to send more Iowa money out of state.

01-31-2024

Rose Fedeler []

I am opposed to the bill because I am a taxpayer and do not want so much local control moving to the Iowa Department of Education. The governors proposal is presented as more local control but the details of the bill show that will not be the case.

01-31-2024

Sarah Figanbaum [Tripoli CSD]

My name is Sarah Figanbaum, an educator with 33 years of experience, currently serving as an elementary principal and the district's school improvement coordinator. I wanted to reach out regarding HSB 542 and express my opposition to it.Throughout my teaching career and as a parent, the AEA has played a vital role, providing invaluable support. I urge you to take the time to research the facts and seek knowledge from those deeply involved in education the educators themselves. Just as you would consult an optometrist for your child's eyesight, the experts in the field of education, including administrators, teachers, and AEA consultants, should be your source of information. Please get the facts before making any decisions.Thank you for your time and consideration.Sincerely,Sarah Figanbaum

01-31-2024

Penni McKinley []

I urge you to scrap this entire bill and its amendment. I have lived in Iowa 69 years and have always been proud of the education system in Iowa and its top ranking year after year. My daughter was lucky enough to receive speech therapy as well as reading interventions in the early 1980s. She attended a grade school with one classroom for each grade, how would we have known there were resources available if not for her teacher reaching out to AEA for an evaluation? I am an RN, her father had a masters degree from ISU and we had no idea what AEA was or what they provided. How would any parent know about these resources if not for the integral part they play in the day to day business of teaching our children? My daughter is now an Early Childhood School Psychologist for AEA and I know how large her caseload is and how frightened the parents of her clients are of losing services. Who would parents of premature infants be referred to for monitoring of developmental delay? Where would a pediatrician refer a parent for a nonspeaking three year old? This bill and amendment effectively destroys the framework that supports our school system. What criteria did the agency use to evaluate the services of AEA? The report seems to run counter to what is seen in everyday classrooms. Why in the world would we want AEAs to be under the direction of the Department of Education? What experience does the director in special education and needed services? This would create a mammoth department that would not be able to nimbly respond to needed changes and unduly add more bureaucracy. Please stop this bill. Perform an audit of the pay structure of AEAs if the Gov thinks they make too much money. Allow rebuttal of the findings of this outside study. Listen to the outcry from parents, educators, and school administrators. Evaluate for yourselves how this would impact rural schools and schools of varying sizes. Unbundle teacher pay legislation from this bill and let it move forward on its own. Then, throw the rest of the proposed bill out!

01-31-2024

Michelle Thorpe []

This bill does nothing positive for our children. I don't understand the Governor's agenda, but it's not in our kids best interest. If you just listen to the outpouring of support to keep the AEA in tact, I don't see how you can vote for this bill. What happened to representing the people of the state, including our children? You're supposed to be representing us all. Do we no longer have a voice? We want the AEA. The schools want the AEA. Our children need the AEA, AS IS. The support they provide is critical. I do not support this bill and if you are truly listening to those in your district, as you should be, you won't support this bill either.

01-31-2024

Robyn Groff []

Please vote NO on this bill and protect and support our AEAs. No one wants this bill. Your rural constituents and their schools will be harmed by this bill (as well as all public school attendees in this state.) Remember, a strong public school system just doesn't benefit the children that attend it. It benefits all of our society, so that we have educated citizens able to perform jobs at every level of our communities.

01-31-2024

Ann Gale [Retired]

I implore the esteemed senators to vote no on this bill. When an important decision needs to be made, the best results are usually found after stakeholders are consulted, choices are considered, and pros and cons of those choices are weighed. The movers behind this bill appeared to not have talked with teachers, parents, administrators, children, or AEA staff. I ask that you conduct a study before considering reckless changes. I am a retired school psychologist (19782014), and I know about the vital services that AEAs provide. If this bill moves forward, it will be challenging for large districts to meet those needs, and impossible for small ones to try. Im afraid that the inevitable result will be that children will be unserved. Please vote no.

01-31-2024

Angie Grote []

As a school board member for a small school district, I'm pleading that you vote NO! The AEA is a necessity for our school district. We simply won't be able to afford the services for our students if we don't have the AEA. All companies and agencies have room for improvement. Take a year to evaluate the changes that need to happen to improve the AEA, then reevaluate. The proposed changes are simply too big! Please don't hurt our students and staff!

01-31-2024

Jennifer Wiegmann [Jennifer Wiegmann]

The aea provides invaluable resources to children of iowa. Altering these resources as proposed will greatly harm children in need. Just in the professional services like speech therapy. There are not enough therapist to higher to serve students, remote therapy isnt conducive. Families rely in these who cannot afford or get to services in yhe weekdays. Smaller rural districts wont be ae to access or afford the professional services needed. Professionals arent going to work for less pay than they can in private/hospital practice. They have their own outrageous education bills to pay. Teacher advancement and continuing education will suffer. Crisis teams that serve schools will be gone. With the increase of violence and student suicide this is a required resource.This is an overall just bad plan. If you need to save money cut the excessive amounts in vouchers

01-31-2024

Anne Steffensmeier [Retired speech-language pathologist]

Please kill the AEA bill or at least slow it down so there can be more study of the issue which include input from Iowa stakeholders. And, please separate the AEA legislation from the teacher pay legislation.I worked for the Grant Wood AEA for 37 years as a speechlanguage pathologist working primarily with children from birth to kindergarten and their parents and educators. I know my service to these Iowans has made a difference. One example is, getting my flu shot at one of my local HyVee stores this past September, the nurse who administered it came into the room greeting me as an old friend. She said of course she remember me and still thinks of me on occasion for what I did to help her daughter and her family. They had no idea where to turn when their daughter was 2 and not talking. Through my support of the family and work with her daughter, the daughter is now almost 30, a college graduate, and was married last summer. Also, a short time ago a family stopped me in another HyVee store in town. The mother asked if I remembered them, as they remembered me. She further stated you gave us our son. Her son is on the autism spectrum and as a toddler was not interacting with anyone. Through my work with him he learned to interact and have fun and learn from them as toddlers do. She was so proud that through my support and the services he received in his school through the AEA and the school staff, he is now in regular education for all subjects. The parent's pride was so precious to see. These are just two stories of many children and families I have impacted. This can be multiplied to thousands when all AEA staff are considered. But I could not have done these services without the support of other AEA including the educational services staff who I consulted with me and who provided materials for parent education, the media services who provided the materials I needed for evaluation and doing therapy with the children, particularly the devices children needed to communicate when they could not talk and learn when they were not able to learn in the standard way, the professional leaning department who provided state of the art learning experiences, and the IT department who help me learn and who maintain all the technology that is part of our educational world today.I will close by pleading with you to separate the AEA and teacher pay into different legislation. They are two different and important issues. They deserve to be addressed separately.Please do not move forward on the AEA bill.

01-31-2024

Danyel Reiter []

PLEASE, please deeply reflect on the longterm repercussions this bill may have on our educational system, and act courageously amidst political pressure. Undermining the AEAs, as proposed by this bill, would severely impact our educational system, disproportionately affecting vulnerable children. Advocate for our children vote against this harmful bill and listen to your constituents for the sake of Iowa's future.

01-31-2024

Patty Eaton []

Please do not dismantle the AEA. They are crucial to the future of all our kids. They provide so many resources and guidance that if not available, will set our students back years! We rely on all the my do for our children.

01-31-2024

Debra Windfield []

PLEASE do not vote to take the AEA from all the children that need their help, yes so much more than the special education, yes we need that help too, but there are so many others who count on the AEA for the lifestyles and education. Many start at birth through graduation and there would be nothing to replace all the help the AEA does for everyone and anyone who needs it.

01-31-2024

Kara Shannon []

As a Republican voter, I am in disbelief that our Governor has taken the time needed to build an infrastructure of supports that will get the results we all want for our children. It is clear from the town halls I have attended that there is absolutely NO support for this bill! It would be unconstitutional for you to ignore the thousands of emails, messages, phone calls, voicemails, conversations and comments here and approve this bill. You are elected to be our voice and we need you to oppose all parts of this for our children! After that, lets put together a team to meet with AEA administrators, school administrators, teachers, parents and students and start addressing the REAL concerns!

01-31-2024

Danielle Kraemer []

I oppse this bill because if it were not for Grant Wood Aea I don't know where I would be today. They were a crucial part of my life from age 2 when physical therpy came to my hose to help me learn to walk up until age 21 when I graduated. Iowa needs Aea's

01-31-2024

Denise Rathjen []

I urge you to vote NO on this bill as it stands. Our AEAs support our students and teachers in immeasurable ways! This impacts both special needs students and general education students. I understand the need to evaluate the systembut please do not vote to simply dismantle it completely! The students of Iowa deserve to have more time dedicated to making an informed decision about this matter that includes hearing directly from those who have benefitted from AEA's services.In my 15 years of experience as a paraeducator in special needs classrooms in the Cedar Falls district and now at the River Hills School in Cedar Falls, I see firsthand the expertise shared by our AEA professionals. I've spent 12 of those years with one specific student and her family, both as her para and as a part of her care team at home. Her quality of life depends upon the services she receives from her AEA specialistsPT, OT and SLP.While my own specific experience highlights special needs kids, I can tell you that every student in our K12 system benefits from services provided by the AEAs. All our teachers are stretched to the max as it is and without support from the AEAs, they will be asked to do even more without adequate resources. I should add that my own employment status will not be affected, but it will drastically affect those professionals around me.

01-31-2024

Marsha Henck []

As In educator, I have to say the Area Education Agencies are a great benefit to both teachers, education and all students in the state of Iowa. Their resources are w expansive. Its unfathonable to me that Govenor Renolds, whose daughter is an educator would not support the ARAs of Iow. I am sorely disappointed in her as governor of our state.

01-31-2024

Emma Bouza []

Please do not support this bill. I know you have heard from thousands of Iowans telling their stories and why Iowa AEAs are incredibly valuable. As a parent of a child with disabilities and a public school employee, the AEA services my family uses are countless. Could the system be evaluated, absolutely. Does it need to be pushed thru without a clear and definite plan, absolutely not.Please don't just hear your constituents, but actually LISTEN to what they are saying.

01-31-2024

Judy Werner-Erickson [Mom of two Special Needs Children]

Please do NOT pass this bill! How can eliminating AEA locations possibly help the State of Iowa? Fewer workers is NOT what our children need!! If you want to HELP and not hurt our children, pass legislation to raise the minimum salary of those that work in within the system to assure our Special kids have the help they need to become the best possible citizens as adults and not end up as homeless adults after their parent/family caregivers pass on. PLEASE THINK LONG TERM NOT SHORTTERM BUDGET RELIEF!!!

01-31-2024

Charlie Johnson []

I am a lifelong Iowa resident who worked for almost 30 years as a teacher and administrator in Iowa's schools. I am writing to urge that action on SSB 3073 be delayed and that the legislature engage in careful study before taking actions that would, I believe, damage the Iowa's education system for many years. Please take time to investigate and ask for feedback from Iowa parents, school boards, teachers and school leaders. Iowa's AEA system is one of the best in the nation. Let's keep it that way.

01-31-2024

Adriana Adams []

As a current teacher in Iowa, I can not emphasize this enough: DO NOT RESTRUCTURE THE AEA. It is simply not the answer to "doing better for our special education students." Restructuring the AEA is a desperate plea to gain more funding at the cost of services and resources for ALL students and teachers, including special education students.

01-31-2024

John Kinley [Retired Educator]

I strongly encourage the subcommittee members to vote NO on this proposed bill. I have been involved in one capacity or another with K12 education for 48 years. I cannot quantify the significant support provided by the AEA system to me, as a teacher seeking resources; as a principal seeking ideas, strategies, and support for students with disabilities, as well as support for their classroom teachers; and as a principal and district leader who needed the expertise of a crisis responses team to support students, parents, and staff during times of unthinkable loss.The current system works! The current model is efficient. It is responsive, yet flexible in meeting the needs of students, staff, and parents. Resources can be made available quickly. Access to services for all kids regardless of where they live is critical. Our rural districts and their students and families will undoubtedly be negatively impacted by this proposed bill. Our districts currently know support is available in short order to provide support for unforeseen needs be they a crisis in our schools or a new student who moves into our districts who needs assistive technology to be successful.This proposed bill strikes me as a solution in search of an unknown problem. Listen to your constituents the folks on the ground who utilize the services of the AEA system every day. If you listen to them, you will vote NO on this proposed legislation.

01-31-2024

Sean Boyle []

I would urge all legislators to vote NO to this piece of legislation. Iowa's AEA system is a triumph of bipartisan planning and design and has been held up as one of the premier Education Service Agencies in the nation. Special Education workers flock to our state to learn, contribute, and enhance all of the education services and support systems to every public, private, and home schooled student in Iowa. The flexibility of the current Iowa Code concerning the AEAs allows our state to adapt to new situations quicker than if having to wait for legislative direction to act. The Crisis Response program offered by Heartland AEA, that is STILL being used by the Perry School District almost a month later, is an amazing example of the AEAs providing a service that is not Special Education Based and the AEAs are the perfect medium for this service thanks to their already distributed architecture. Overhauling the entire system because of one very biased report created by an out of state entity and a minority of supporters is irresponsible and undemocratic. Additionally, putting all the decision making power into one state run agency, which already struggles to complete it's own work and often offloads its projects on the AEAs, will only further to waste state resources and will continue the slide of Iowa's education standing. At a minimum, the committee should read the words of the former Deputy Director of the Department of Education, David Tilly, and take the time to find the answers his questions before moving forward.

01-31-2024

Melissa Reade [Leader Valley]

Please carefully consider all elements in this bill that are an effort to seismically dismantle Iowa Area Education Agencies, transfer control to the Department of Education, and forever shape education in Iowa. I believe in thoughtfully and ethically discerning how we can create efficiencies and effectiveness within private and public sectors. I would be remiss in saying that the AEA is not worthy of that same discernment, as is the Department of Education. This legislation has been hastily presented with no thoughtful examination and input from key stakeholders. It is premature to dismantle the AEA system as proposed with no real and thoughtful plan in place to ensure student needs are not the casualty of this rushed legislation. An expedited timeline, misrepresentation of the facts, lack of transparency and input, push for privatization of education services, and poorly executed changes can have unintended negative consequences for our education system that will make a marked impact in Iowa for generations to come. I respectfully encourage you to vote in a way that truly represents the views of your constituents (not party leaders), seek clarity, and vote courageously and conscientiously. Your legacy as a legislator is being written in these moments.

01-31-2024

Rebecca Porter []

Please vote no! This bill will hurt all students receiving services but especially those in smaller districts. This may lead to further consolidation of districts & added travel time for students. Small districts already struggle in rural Iowa & there is no way, even with the added money they will be able to provide the same services AEA now does. I don't understand why time is not being taken to thoroughly evaluate this bill. I also take offense to our governor spending a reported $1 million of our $$$ to have a bill written by an out of state company, apparently behind everyone's back. This process needs to slow down!the govenor wants the head of education to oversee it? A position that the state can't keep filled & by someone who has no experience in education? I have 2 daughters that have been teachers for numerous years, both in special needs fields. One currently works for AEA. She works with a district that on numerous occasions have been in violation of federal laws governing special needs students until AEA pointed the issues out to them. If schools take it over themselves how many districts will be violating these laws? This is not a process that just be speeded through just so the govenor can get her way. Take the time & investigate it thoroughly please!!!

01-31-2024

Teresa Mathews []

Stop attacking the AEA structure. The support services the AEA provide to districts throughout the state are critically important to students with a wide variety of learning needs. Also to say we dont need all nine AEAs is cruel creating competition for funding through out the state. The AREA agencies know what is needed for their AREAS and regions. Put the brakes on this and make better choices for students throughout Iowa!

01-31-2024

Christina Miller []

AEA is a invaluable resource for all Iowa students, parents, and teachers. My son used AEA for early prevention speech therapy, which made a big impact in our lives. They also offered hearing testing, and other resources to help him learn and grow. He's now a happy 5 year old fitting right along with his preschool class, and I am so grateful for AEA's help to get us there! Please keep the AEA intact as it currently is. Please do not remove funding and resources from AEA.

01-31-2024

Madison Atwood []

The AEAs provide valuable supports and services for schools, especially those in rural areas. I oppose the stripping back of the AEAs because I am an educator who knows personally and professionally the positive impact that they have on educators and students.

01-31-2024

Nicole Skaar [Iowa School Psychologists Association]

I STRONGLY oppose this bill. I oppose it not because I oppose change within the AEAs. I actually would love to see change within the AEAs. I am a school psychologist (NOT school counselor), and we could be doing so much more for students, but we are stuck doing compliance work due to large case loads and lack of knowledge about how we are trained. We are school mental health professionals and special education experts. BUT there are too many issues with this bill. The bill consolidates power at the Dept of Education. The bill allows schools to hire out of state service providers, which WILLL be more expensive than AEA services. The bill eliminates operational share between AEAs and LEA, which is a great way to increase mental health services for kids in schools (see Great Prairie AEA's model for sharing school social workers). This bill WILL COST SCHOOLS MORE! Private services cost more! Finally, the data the governor is using to support this bill is taken out of context. Success in special education is exiting from special education. Have you looked at the number of students who exit services each year? Have you looked at how many students are making progress on their IEP goals? THIS is how we measure success in special education. Not some large scale standardized achievement test given to only those students who are still in special education in a system that regularly exits kids because they are now capable of achieving in the general education system. SLOW THIS PROCESS DOWN! Learn more and dig in to what changes actually need to be made within the AEAs to continue improvement of an already great system.

01-31-2024

Megan Zadow []

The AEA is an important partner for the schools offering valuable and unmatched services and resources. You already cut millions from them a year ago and the repercussion of that are palpable. Please do not cut or elimimate this amazing company!! To diembowel our AEA and expect the department of education to be able to recreate the AEAs incredible care is irresponsible. The director of education has no experience or credentials in education. Why is this bill inviting her and the dept under her to run the education system AND the system in place to help children who need any additional help in any capacity? The schools are already short staffed; especially in regards to teachers and aids in that specialty. You are spreading the educators and the dept of education too thin and the children WILL suffer because of it. Also...The teacher saleries have NO PLACE in this same bill. These are and should be treated

01-31-2024

Jennifer Stumpff []

This bill will harm students, teachers, families, and schools. It's criminal that it's being pushed through so fast against so much public opposition. The AEAs efficiently provide a range of services to their local districts, and the proposed model can't possibly replace or replicate them.

01-31-2024

Abby Elliott []

Without a clear, trusted, and tested alternative for parents, schools, and kids, the proposed legislation is malpractice of the highest degree committed by legislators who are meant to represent the people, not private interests. As a rural Iowa Im flabbergasted at the centralization of power this bill proposes. Schools and students throughout the state will suffer direly. What a travesty to see this happen in a state that once prided itself in its education system.

01-31-2024

Bonnie Love [retired-rehabilitation counselor]

This ill informed bill would especially hurt children in smaller rural districts. The needs of each child vary and AEA's are a repository of much institutional knowledge. Local schools rarely have staff with expertise to determine what is needed to modify a deficit. For example, brain injury may look like a behavioral issue but the need may be several modalities, cooperating together. Locals rarely have the knowledge or time to find, arrange and induce multiple providers to drive 50 miles on a regular basis. AEA's own therapy equipment which can be shared among districts. If each school has to purchase, it won't happen. And who is monitoring Individual Education plans to see that the student needs are actually being met? As a rehabilitation counselor for the State, I relied on the AEA to identify student support needs after graduation, as special education extends to age 22. What will legislators do when it is their grandchild who is not served in their rural county because you saved money and moved all the power to an opaque bureaucracy in Des Moines?

01-31-2024

Jeri Messenger [Retired]

Please vote against this bill. We owe it to all the students, families and schools in Iowa to take the time to get this right. If we get it wrong, it will take years to correct. Please drop this bill.

01-31-2024

Katie Vander Sanden []

As a resident of Lyon County Iowa, I urge all legislators to say no to this bill.AEAs provide services to all parts of education. Cutting services and positions will harm the children of Iowa. The data the Governor is using is misleadingnot all students take the NAEP that she is referencing.Listen to the people of Iowa and stop HSB 542.

01-31-2024

Jeffrey Kuhns []

This bill hurts kids in iowa. This is an attack on the resources for public education and should not be supported by either side of the isle. In a time where schools are already stretched thin with resources, this will put more pressure on teachers in the classroom.

01-31-2024

Lisa Johnson [retired special education teacher]

I am strongly against SSB 3073. I am a retired special education teacher who taught students with various disabilities for 33 years in Iowa's public schools. I relied heavily on services from Keystone AEA for initial identification and instruction for my students. AEA personnel provided advice and support when working with difficult students and families as well as held me accountable for following complicated and everchanging laws in special education.I also relied on Keystone AEA also for inservice, materials such as films, books, and handson kits and professional education materials. It was a wonderful to have such a variety and abundance of supplemental tools at my fingertips.There is no way smaller rural school districts will be able to have the same support and materials if this bill passes.I urge you to vote against SSB 3073. Vote NO and leave Iowa's AEAs alone!

01-31-2024

Janell Wright []

My child and several family members rely on AEAs to access supports that we would not be able to afford outside of the school setting. There are no available services privately that can meet our children where they are, in the classroom, and support them. This is why AEAs exist. We decided once that our children, regardless of income, regardless of location, deserve mental health and educational support. This bill walks back that assertion. This bill will strip mental heath and educational support funding and access from rural communities and children who desperately need these services statewide. As written, this bill is an attack on systems that supports our children. It removes oversight, removes access, and shifts the power into unqualified hands. There is no provision in this bill that improves or increases access to those most in need. Please help parents and families (and teachers and school staff) continue to provide for our children through AEA by increasing access, not removing supports.

01-31-2024

Amelia Kibbie [Lisbon Community Schools]

I have taught public school for 17 years, and have utilized the services of Grant Wood AEA the entire time. I would not be the teacher I am today without Grant Wood. Most recently, I became the k12 TAG coordinator at Lisbon, while working on my endorsement at the same time. I am the only TAG person in the building, in a position I've never had before, that I'm not even technically endorsed for. I needed help, and lots of it. I was able to get a mentor, Deb, who meets with me once a month to problemsolve issues that have arisen as I build a program from scratch. I came into the position with a few escape room games and workbooks, and about 500$ worth of legos and a drone that doesn't fly. I now have 13 different age and curriculum groups I'm expected to teach when my classroom experience is in middle school. Deb has been invaluable in helping me with resources and problem solving. Just talking through my struggles with her has been incredible. I would be all alone if I didn't have her. As an atrisk coordinator previously, I was in the same situation. I was able to take classes on how to teach students executive functioning skills. We also were able to look at our MTSS system as a whole through PBIS and filling out the SAMI for goal setting as an administrative team. Having the PBIS trainings has made a significant impact on our building and training our staff with positive behavior interventions and supports. I can't even think of all the resources from the AEA I've used over the years, including their lending libraries for professional books or classroom sets of books for students, their digital resources for research or teaching supports like Defined Learning, which has tons of free lesson plans for project based learning k12 in multiple subjects. Basically if I get in a tough spot when I need help and support, I go to the AEA in some way, shape, or form. Dangling higher pay in front of teachers by cutting out AEA supports is shameful. It's asking teachers to choose between getting the pay they DESERVE and removing important supports from the students they've sworn to serve. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul. We should be paid a fair wage for our years of service and level of education and dedication to student outcomes, not because we cut a bunch of other jobs and services that help our schools be the best they can be. If schools don't use the AEA, they're being negligent or straightup ignoring the incredible opportunities for professional development and getting students the services they need. Just keeping special education also doesn't cut it. I'm on the other end of the spectrum with gifted kids who need extensions and challenges. They have educational needs JUST LIKE KIDS WITH IEPs. And yet "they'll be fine" is what I hear. That is not true. Our country is not going to thrive and get ahead if we ignore our students with the highest capacity for excellence. I cannot do this position without the AEA's support as I take one class a time online with no human interaction. Attacking the AEAs is an enormous mistake, probably made by people who have no idea what AEAs actually do, and have no idea what teachers actually do or the struggles they face. It's shortsighted and meanspirited kinda like taking away food support over the summer.There are other ways to raise teacher pay without pitting us against our allies and colleagues at the AEAs. We all have the best interests of young people at heart, something that our governor and many legislators claim they have but have no clue what that actually means. I'm begging you to educate yourself.

01-31-2024

Jody Moore []

Good morning! Id like to share with you how our local AEA has impacted our family over the past 9 years. What does the AEA mean to our family? Isaac was physically and mentally maturing and hitting milestones like our other boys did until around 18 months of age when he began regressing. We noticed more tantrums as he wasnt able to communicate effectively, obsessions with spinning objects train wheels were his jam, food aversions, and showing no interest in others. We quickly had the AEA come into our homehis safe spotto observe what we were seeing, do a few more tests, and make a plan that included in home speech therapy until he was 3, a teacher that worked on lots of different things with him and us as parents, and helped formulate a plan for when age 3 hit and they were not able to come into the home any longer. An IEP was formulated with input from the AEA specialists who had been working with him and us as parents and he began the Headstart program during his preschool years. During this time Isaac was also diagnosed with autism and an expressive/receptive speech delay. This diagnosis helped get more services he really needed outside of school. He did 2.5 hours of preschool, 2.5 hours of Balance autism, and speech 5 days a week! Looking back I wouldnt change all those hard hours for anything ! Isaac is now in 4th grade and we are working on reformatting his IEP with a gal from the AEA so it best suits his current and future needs . We are so thankful for these outside resources that are currently providing speech and other accommodations for Isaac to be in an integrated classroom with his peers .As you can seeIsaac would not be where he is today without these early vital resources and continued support over the years. Please consider helping us keep our AEA so our kids and teachers dont suffer.

01-31-2024

Diana Volkens []

This is such an important issue that is going to affect smaller rural schools. I dont understand what the rush is to push this through. Do the right thing PLEASR slow this down and think about ALL of the students in the state.

01-31-2024

Michael McLaughlin []

We have two boys with special needs and AEA has been instrumental in their growth, treatment and education. Our boys are nonverbal autistic. These wonderful people in AEA are selfless and totally committed to helping our boys and children like them. We would be lost without them. They are loving and caring and are amazing . It is imperative that these services remain to help families like ours. I beg you please vote to keep these services move forward

01-31-2024

Susan Canaday Bormann []

I have concerns about SSB 3073 as legislation that further hurts rural school districts and their families. Access to services for students in rural communities is a serious challenge, and AEAs help provide important services in our rural schools. AEAs also provide important resources to students and teachers that we would not otherwise be able to provide in our schools. Centralizing AEA's through Des Moines undermines local control. Please oppose this bill, or at the very least, slow down the process to make thoughtful decisions in the best interested of rural Iowans.

01-31-2024

Wayne R Manternach [Iowa Citizen]

HSB 542This bill, which will dismantle the AEA structure and strip local control, is unnecessary and detrimental to the future education of our children. Most school districts will not be able to provide the comprehensive services that the AEA system was set up to and has provided through out it inception. i feel the state will not be able to provide the same hands on services that has helped countless Iowa students.

01-31-2024

Barb Thompson []

I live in the united community school district. AEA's provide valuable services to all schools and support all children but are especially helpful to small districts like ours who couldn't afford these services otherwise.This bill is harmful to Iowa children and should not be enacted.

01-31-2024

Amanda King []

Please do NOT support this bill. The amount of support from the AEA my daughter and our family has received in her 5 years of life is huge. She would not have made the strides she has without the AEA. She would not be receiving the proper educational support in preschool and looking ahead to possibly River Hills next year for school when she begins kindergarten.

01-31-2024

Diana Bryant [Retired Teacher (2021) AHSTW]

As a retired teacher, as well as a new grandmother, I have HUGE concerns about the education of, not only my grandchildren and students in my district, but children across the state of Iowa. As a former teacher, I utilized many services provided by our local Greenhills AEA; services that positively impacted my students and their education. Although I do believe there are areas for improvement and "trimming the fat" is likely necessary, completely dismantling the AEA's IS NOT the answer. Please do what is best for our kids . . . take the time necessary to take a deeper look. *Are there services that could be justifiably eliminated?*Would a complete audit indicate where there may be unused flowthrough $$ that are allocated for specific services?**If there are unused flowthrough $$ allocated for specific services, where are those $$ going?*If completely eliminated, how can smaller districts, like mine, afford or even have storage space for all the tech and media resources that are currently available and utilized through AEA's?*If eliminted, how can smaller districts afford the online services now provided by the AEA? ie: BookFlix, TruFlix, etc.These are just a few of the things that come to my mind when considering the pushthrough of this proposal.STOP! TIMEOUT! DO YOUR RESEARCH & THINK THIS THROUGH! DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR KIDS!

01-31-2024

Ruth MF Tucker [Retired educator]

I was a paraeducator in the Cedar Falls Community Schools for 10 years and an educator in the Waterloo Community Schools for 15 years. I used the expertise of the persons at the local AEA many times during my years of teaching. The access to media from there was very helpful since our local school did not have access to many books, films, computer programs, etc, that I could request from AEA and it would arrive the next day for my use. Psychiatrists were available if needed; specialists in reading and math were at our fingertips for help with problems that arose during the day. Teaching in a lower income inner city school had many problems that could not have been met with without the help of AEA. The provision in the new legislation that would let local schools contract for needed help would not help as where are you going to find that kind of assistance anywhere in the state of Iowa at a moments notice. The local AEA knows the area they serve. Not all areas of Iowa require the same assistance and only local personnel are aware of the specific needs for the area they serve. Keep local boards in charge of the local schools and parents will benefit as well a students.This bill is taking way too many decisions about local issues. If the Governor's concern is parent input, leave the local school boards and teachers in place to address individual parent concerns. Legislators are not teachers and many have not been in a classroom since they attended school as students. They have no training or expertise on the provisions in this bill.As my grandmother used to say "If it isn't broke, don't fix it."

01-31-2024

Lauren Smith []

I do not support this bill and strongly believe it should not be allowed to pass. As society becomes more aware and more educated about the needs of children and the special needs of neurodivergent children, we need the AEA now more than ever to support not only them but the future of our state. The AEA allows all children, regardless of their life circumstances, to have a fair start at life and education. We need funding. We need regulation. We need to continue supporting ALL children and families.

01-31-2024

Jill Majeres []

Please do not support this bill. This is too important of an issue to quickly vote through. More thoroughly review needs to be done. The AEA budgets have already been reduced a lot the last several years. Hearing all they do to support our students and teachers leads me to believe they should be getting more financial support and not reduced funding. Rural schools will be even more impacted by making the AEA smaller. Not a good thing for Iowa.

01-31-2024

Paula Reece []

I live in a rural community and have taught in both a rural school and urban setting. The work that our AEAs do for families is VITAL and ensures that districts in poor areas have equal access to services as bigger districts or those with more money in the coffers. AEAs are a highly effective and affordable option for districts and communities. To strip AEAs of their services in the name of school choice is a recipe for disaster. It will only reduce service access to students and families and encourage forprofit organizations and companies to swoop in and offer services to school districts that will be more expensive and less researchbased. This is a horrible idea that will have devastating, longlasting effects on our students, schools and communities for years to come if it passes.

01-31-2024

Tracy Chorpening []

Please vote NO. This bill has a clear agenda, and it is not to improve educational outcomes.1. Local control is a lie. Kim has marketed this bill as shifting control to local schools, but that is not true. The Department of Education has the final say in whether a school system can utilize AEA services. WHAT? WHY? It's not local and not their decision if the DOE can simply override. This shifts all control to Kim and the DOE. It would be a kill switch where she can continue to turn off schools from the AEA.2. THIS BILL IS EXPENSIVE. By prohibiting the support services AEAs provide schools WILL be required to contract those services. To whom shall they contract? For profit (private) companies. Each school will be required to raise additional funds due to the removal of the property tax. Just because a tax is a cut doesn't mean an expense was cut. Those services are needed and if the private sector replaces the AEAs support, indirect, services taxpayers will be paying cost + profits for the services. Once again Kim is putting taxpayers' money into the pockets of forprofit organizations.3. IT TAKES AEA EMPLOYEES IPERS AWAY. AEAs and their employees are employed by the state of Iowa. They deserve and work for IPERS like every other state employee. Why does Kim want to take their IPERS away? Does also help special education students? Did we see a trend where it is believed that negative test scores are related to employees who have IPERS as a retirement plan? I'm sure Kim can fabricate something.3. IOWANS DO NOT WANT THIS BILL. Look at these comments. Thousands of comments. This is so obviously unpopular there is no conceivable, logical, reason for lawmakers to vote yes. This bill is an abomination. 4. WRECKLESS. This bill provides a large number of changes. All should be studied, none of them have been studied. She's recently been quoting studies from 2011. Why? Surely, she could have misappropriated federal funds to pay for some shady studies, but this wreckless bill is also a touch of lazy. 5. NUMBER OF AEAs. This is an odd piece of the legislation. Why is Kim an expert on how many AEAs we need? I'm willing to bet a study could easily find more AEAs would be better than less. But, either way there's no evidence to support her claim. It's an odd fixation. Please stand strong with Iowans. VOTE NO.

01-31-2024

Liz F []

This bill as a whole does nothing to benefit Iowa students, their families, educators, or school districts. I strongly oppose SSB3073 and its amendments. I am a concerned parent of a child who will soon be in Iowas public schools and an educator within Iowa's public schools. We need our legislators to listen to the vast majority of Iowans begging them to vote no. There are many things overlooked in this bill. Special education students are general education students FIRST, meaning they receive all resources and instruction general education students receive, plus more. If there is such a concern with special education student performance, why are we going to strip countless resources that ALL students, including special education students and their teachers utilize daily? That will create greater gaps in all student performance, specifically special education.Additionally, NAEP scores (or MAP testing) is the only data point being reported to discuss the gaps in special education student performance. This is a state assessment that, unfortunately, students as a whole are not very committed to. There are plenty of other data points within special education that deserve attention to show the great work students and their teachers are doing. For one, Iowa has one of the lowest number of written complaints at the state level regarding IEPs and their compliance. Student performance, or lack thereof, on their IEP, is part of compliance and what a family can report to the state as a concern (which they aren't doing). Additionally, student progression in their IEP goal areas would be a better indicator of student achievement than MAP scores. I think its important to note that AEAs do not directly teach students, so to put student performance, or lack thereof solely on AEAs and remove their vital services doesnt make sense. If anything, let's coown the special education student growth and place more funding into public education, including AEAs, so they can support teachers and districts to address any gaps there may be in student achievement. As in education, when a system or strategy isnt working, we dont just throw the strategy away or burn the system down. We make datainformed decisions to get to the root of the issue and fix the problem. Why is the governor and her team taking such a different and uninformed approach? This bill is far too drastic and expected on too short of a timeline. This will leave districts of any size scrambling and unprepared to meet the needs of any students in the upcoming school year. The long term negative impact of this bill will devastate Iowa education and put us at the bottom of all comparative lists for years to come.We consistently hear,Iowans will do the right thing. I would like to see the same thing happen here with one of our most powerful and important resources, education. Keep Iowa Area Education Agencies in tact and collaboratively address any student academic gaps to better Iowa's education system.

01-31-2024

Susan Enzle [League of Women Voters Johnson County- Iowa]

I could detail numerous objections to Governor Reynolds original bill as well as to the amendments she made after receiving overwhelming public opposition to the legislation that would change Iowas AEAs. However, I would argue that until a full and thorough study has been conducted by all of those interested in the wellbeing of students and schools who are served by AEAs, all legislation should be placed on hold for this legislative term.I attended two public forums in the past week and saw parents weeping at the microphone. They lauded the skilled guidance and help they had received from an AEA so that their children could develop and learn. Much of that support came from highly trained and experienced educational specialists, e.g. speech therapists, psychologists, who are already in short supply here in Iowa, especially in rural areas. These parents were terrified that their children would lose services, or that the services would be disrupted in the short term as changes were implemented in the system. Hence, slowing this whole process down, taking sufficient time to study thoroughly the wideranging roles the AEAs play in Iowa, the different needs of different schools, and the needs of parents and their children, would doubtless help ease the fears of these parents. Since an honest and complete study of the AEA system could hardly be done in a few months, I believe that this legislation should be placed on hold for the duration of this legislative session until such a study has been completed.

01-31-2024

Margo Magill []

Please listen to your constituents and vote NO for SSB3073. I began teaching in 1976 when Iowa legislated Free and Public Education for all Iowans Birth to 21 years old. Our AEAs were and continue to be an integral part of education for all children by providing both direct and consultative services. Our local school districts benefit from cooperative purchasing, lending libraries, professional development and a great many other services in additon to Special Education services that will not be possible without our AEA. Our rural school districts will be especially impacted due to the size and distance between districts.

01-31-2024

Lisa Heiden-Kimball []

Our students, teachers, communities, and school districts in Iowa need the support of the AEAs. This bill is not supporting the AEAs and the full array of services that the AEA provides on a daily basis. Therefore, this bill is not in support of our parents, teachers, and school districts. Listen to the voices of the parents, teachers, and superintendents that will be directly impacted by this bill. Those voices are pleading for this bill to be stopped.

01-31-2024

Kathy Butler []

I support nothing about the Governors proposed legislation to drastically reduce services provided by the longstanding AEA system. She initially discussed a comprehensive study. Please... Dont make sweeping changes without understanding ANY of the short and long term implications. 7/1/2024 is less than 6 months away. No one can plan for any sort of transition to make sure children and educators are served. Just say NO. It seems the Governor would like to push through this legislation as quickly as possible so Iowa does not have time to rally and push for appropriate amendments or to shut this down totally. I understand that the teacher the Governor recognized in her speech on recently was trained by the AEA. Guess what, AEAs wont be able to provide training to her or other teachers anymore. I also understand the Governor spent 8 million dollars bringing in an out of state company to train teacherson something the AEAs were already providing. Rural districts arent able to participate at this point as there are stipulations on the number of teachers per district that have to participate (40). Thank you for your time!

01-31-2024

Jessica Marrah []

My son has has help from AEA from a very early age. He adopted but was drug exposed in the womb, and Early Access came to my home to monitor his development as an infant. At 18 months he received language services in home. In 1st grade he got his first IEP, and continues to have an IEP now in high school. Without help from AEA I dont know where he or I would be. I know with all the help he is getting that he will become a successful adult. I had to advocate for him a lot. You cant make it an option for the schools! Some schools are at a max and overwhelmed. Some will slip through the cracks. I had to advocate for my sons help more times then I can count!

01-31-2024

Donna Godar []

As a former public school teacher and parent of a person with disabilities I see a lot wrong with this bill and ask that you not move it forward. If it must move on, there needs to be a LOT more study done on how it will impact children and families. Consideration also needs to be made about how it will impact all school districts and there ability to meet the legal demands of IDEA. The timeline of moving forward with this bill is causing more chaos for everyone associated with education in Iowa AEA staff, superintendents, school staff, families, and children. I could even see the passage of this bill affecting how people vote in upcoming elections!The integrated practice that the AEA's provide quick services to those that are coming into special ed services and help teachers with skills to help kids learn and keep them out of special education too. The assessments that are mentioned are not a fair way to evaluate the success of AEA's. Kids move in and out of Special Ed so the population is different all the time. Plus, it is a very small sample size.AEA's are evaluated regularly and just completed an intense accreditation process where all 9 were 100% successful. While teachers do deserve to be paid more, there needs to be consideration made as to giving credit to those who have given more service to the profession and adjust everyone's salary accordingly. (Taking away AEA's and their affordable professional development and support while teaching and improving education may make this incentive less worthwhile thereby losing even more teachers to burn out.)Thank you for your careful consideration of this issue and listening to the people of Iowa.

01-31-2024

Alice Brown []

Where on earth did this come from? Dismantling an agency that serves local school districts makes no sense whatsoever. I am a proud Iowa and am appalled at the governors attack on education in this state. Please do not let this latest scheme go forward. Governor Reynolds seems to be so enamored with cutting taxes just for the sake of cutting taxes that she is hurting Iowans education now and far into the future.

01-31-2024

Amy Kimball, DO FAAP [Madison County Health Care System/ Iowa Chapter of the AAP]

I am writing to comment in opposition of SSB 3073 related to the Governors Proposed Legislation on AEAs. I am a pediatrician practicing in Winterset, Iowa. I care for patients from over ten Southwestern Iowa counties. I have patients who receive essential services through AEA in all of those counties. Those services are varied based on the needs of the child, but they are critical services for the childs health and development that would not otherwise be readily available to those children and families. I cannot think of a day in my over twenty years of practice that I have not in some way interacted with or utilized the services of the AEA. AEA provides pediatric health care providers with essential resources, therapies, and supports for children and families no matter where they live or what school they attend. They are specialists in child development, educational needs and social emotional behavior. AEA also provides resources to educators and pediatric health care providers that allow us to be best equipped to help children be healthy, successful and thrive. I am also a parent of a child who benefitted from the expertise of AEA providers. My daughter has speech and language delays, Selective Mutism, and a NonVerbal Learning Disorder. She began receiving speech therapy and AEA services in preschool. She did not speak a single word in school her entire Kindergarten year. AEA staff worked tirelessly directly with her and provided resources and supports for her teachers and us as a family. Their skill and understanding of her needs helped her to find her voice. She is now an academically and socially successful Junior at Winterset High School. The proposed changes to the AEA will have a direct negative impact for children and families in Iowa. At a time when we have increased social, emotional and behavioral needs in children, any decreased access to AEA services would be a step in the wrong direction for increasing access for children and families to learning and mental health supports, especially in rural areas. AEA is currently providing critical services to students and families in the aftermath of the Perry school shooting. These services are not available through other or more qualified resources in Iowa and are absolutely critical to the wellbeing of children. Please oppose these changes. The only changes needed to the AEA that would benefit children and families would be to increase funding so they could continue to provide excellent services to all children in Iowa.Respectfully submitted,Amy N. Kimball, DO FAAP

01-31-2024

Amanda Khader []

Iowa used to be a leader in education. Iowa was a state that teachers flocked to, parents moved to, and other educators chose to practice in. As a former AEA School Psychologist, I am confident that this bill is a mistake. Supporting education and fullyfunding all necessary services, should NOT be a partisan issue. Schools, families, and individual students will feel the impact if this bill is passed. Please consider what is best for this state, and consider what needs to be done to make Iowa an educational leader again.

01-31-2024

Will Linder []

Please vote NO on this bill. Many districts do not have the educational resources or abilities to hire staff for these services because the needs vary greatly between districts. I urge to to please listen especially to our rural districts when it comes to this issue. AEAs provide practical and effective solutions for both public and private schools across the state. They ensure that EVERY child and school district receives the support they need without the hassle of hiring experienced staff, reevaluating budget concerns, and other challenges. I urge you to reconsider this bill, which restricts AEAs from providing highquality services to students. Iowans deserve better than the bare minimum.

01-31-2024

Robert Brown []

I am a retired 30 year employee of Heartland AEA 11 , having spent my entire career teaching at the Polk County Juvenile Detention Center, formerly known as Meyer Hall. In my time there I witnessed first hand the support offered by our AEA in the areas of special education, technology assistance, media support and professional development opportunities. The student population I served was probably the most challenging group in the state, but with the help of our AEA, I was able to provide an educational environment to meet their needs. Statewide, the AEA provides services to our students that will last a lifetime. Make no mistake, this bill will quickly eliminate our AEA system and the many benefits received by our students.

01-31-2024

Don Reid []

Please move the teacher salary increase from this bill to a separate bill, and pass it. The rest of the AEA bill will throw our entire education system, public and private, into chaos this year so please vote NO and proceed more cautiously. Otherwise hundreds of our special ed teachers will leave the state, which will be awful since there's a national shortage of these teachers.

01-31-2024

Paula Thome []

It should be evident from the thousands of emails, phone calls, social media, and town halls that Iowans did not ask for this bill and do not support this bill. It is more and more frustrating that the political process is not allowed to play out. This is not how the process works. I expect my Iowa legislatures to listen to their constituents and analyze each bill as to whether or not it is the right thing to do in Iowa. The amount of opposition to this bill should be telling legislators that this is not right for Iowa. I firmly am in opposition to this bill and any current amendments.

01-31-2024

Laura Morine []

Please say NO to this bill as it negatively impacts all students and teachers as it is written! AEAs offer tremendous support to our students, teachers, and our districts that we will not be able to replace for the same costs. AEAs funding has drastically been cut over the years and the funding to school districts is not even keeping up with inflation. Again, please vote NO to this bill or any other bill that dismantles the AEA.

01-31-2024

Elizabeth Brant []

This is a bad idea. The AEAs have provided so many valuable resources and needed assistance to school districts over the years. We should leave the decisions to experts, parents and local school boards and teachers to make best use of resources. Let this bill die.

01-31-2024

Sharon Flake []

One of my children was the recipient of AEA services. Although I am a firm believer of vigilant oversight, and I do think it's important to have services evaluated on a routine basis, I think the current proposal is going to cause the collapse of an important service to our most vulnerable children. Please, VOTE NO!

01-31-2024

Marta Nelson []

The Governor's statistics are slanted. The 12 tests she talks of are all part of the same standardized test and in there lies the biggest problem. An IEP (Individualized Education Plan) modifies a student's education to help them learn, and each one is different. Their education is not standardized therefore a onceeverythreeyears standardized tests is not appropriate to evaluate IEP students. Many states do not give special education students this test but Iowa does, and Gov. Reynolds is using scores from an inappropriate measurement to convince Iowans to buy her changes.

01-31-2024

Destini Hoth []

This bill is terrible and does nothing but hinder education even more in Iowa. Much like the vouchers. We used to rank #2 in the country & now rank #24. Children with special needs need AEAs! When do we finally start listening to our educators and quit listening to outside agencies not even in Iowa. This bill is not wanted by Iowans or educators. I used to be proud to say I was from iowa mostly because of our educational system. Now Im embarrassed by our legislators & their continued push to take our progressive state backwards. Facts are being misinterpreted in this Bill. Why are we yet again forcing another bill through? Are we aiming for last in education in our country? SSB 3073 is an awful bill and eliminating AEAs is not the right or smart answer. Thank you

01-31-2024

Jenni Grandgeorge []

I am a lifelong Iowa resident and the parent of 2 children currently attending public school. I am opposed to HSB 542/SSB 3073. Instead of this bill, please support a transparent and comprehensive review of the AEA system using multiple sound data sources and input from school districts, parents, community members, medical professionals and anyone who currently partners with the AEAs in any way. If there is a problem to address, define it, measure it and propose a clear plan for implementation ensuring there is infrastructure before making any changes. This is too important to rush and the message from Iowans is clear: Do not allow this bill to pass. To pass this bill would be an absolute breach of trust for the citizens of Iowa by the government; with the consequences falling on the most vulnerable, those without a vote or a voice on the issue, the 500,000+ children enrolled in Iowa's schools. Please choose to listen to the parents, educators and experts in educational systems instead of the political rhetoric. Please do the right thing and do not pass this bill.

01-31-2024

Sam Keith []

Please vote no to this bill. There is no evidence to support that bill will increase student achievement. This bill will negatively impact all students in Iowa, as well as families as a whole, teachers, schools, and Iowa's future. AEAs provide essential services that will be extremely difficult and costly for schools, especially in rural areas, to duplicate.

01-31-2024

M. Baldridge []

Under the current bill, districts have the ability to opt in or out of using the AEAs. Why would anyone want to work somewhere not knowing if they'll have a job in two years. Also, what experience does the director of the Dept. of Education have in education and knowing the needs of special education students? Her background doesn't include any significant experience as a teacher, principal or superintendent in Iowa or anywhere else for that matter. The DE doesn't have the staff or capacity to make this work and the repercussions will be felt for years, unfortunately at the cost of Iowa's most vulnerable students. Please STOP this bill and instead consider a study that involves actual members of the Iowa education community.

01-31-2024

Blake Durbin []

I live in the Urbandale school district and my wife teaches in the Norwalk school district and the Area Education Agencies are an essential part of publication in our local school districts. Please do not change our AEAs!

01-31-2024

Jennifer Seuntjens []

Vote NO on SSB 3073!! This bill will not benefit ANY children, families, and schools and will hurt small schools the most!! If changes are needed, then let's do it the correct way and involve ALL stakeholders! Do you work for us or the Governor?? Listen to the families, educators, and professionals who have experience working in the state! They don't want this bill! Listen to your constituents and VOTE NO!!!

01-31-2024

Abigail Lill []

Why would one ever want to dismantle a program that helps families that shows no regard to income level, demography, or ability? Are we to assume families rely strictly on privatized clinics for support? There arent enough professionals in the state, nor country, to fulfill the needs of all of these families that would go without. Refer to the AEAs representatives for guidance and please dont make decisions without consulting numerous professionals.

01-31-2024

Krystal Walker []

AEA is so very important to the children. If you cut AEA services, this will severely hurt many children's education. These kids are the future and need all the support they can get!! We are using AEA services for my son and I have seen improvement in his education and appreciate all AEA has done for my son. I know many parents who utilize AEA for their children. Please take time to talk to parents who use AEA services. They will all say how wonderful they are and it helps their child/children. Thank you for your time and please consider voting NO for this bill!

01-31-2024

Jim Green [Retired Teacher]

As an Iowa public school teacher for 44 years (35 years at Riceville Schools in the Keystone AEA and 9 years at St. Ansgar Community Schools in the Central Rivers AEA), I want to share with you how incredibly valuable the AEA system has been for me as an educator, for local school district students and for my family. As an educator in a small rural school district, I utilized the AEA media and curriculum lending library very heavily during my 45 years of teaching, in part due to the limited budget for purchasing these materials. Most of my years of teaching, I taught 6 or 7 different classes each day so when I used media items for my teaching, I may only use the item one class period for the entire school year. To me it made more sense to have these items at the AEAs lending library where other teachers could use the item on the many days that I was not utilizing the item. This represented a huge savings for the local district by having the media materials purchased by the AEA and shared between all the teachers in the AEA that taught the same subject matter as I did. During my time at the Keystone AEA, I applied for grants to purchase teaching materials worth over $30,000 that I would then place in the AEA lending library for all teachers in our AEA to use. In 2013, I left my teaching position in the Keystone AEA but now, over ten years later, they still have 50 items in the lending library from these grants that are still being used by the Keystone AEA teachers. They do weed out items each year with low usage and accept teacher recommendations for the purchase of new items. I absolutely know that the media curriculum libraries in all AEAs are an incredibly valuable resource for the many educators in both public and private schools that utilize this service. Other resources that have been invaluable for me as an educator included professional development activities, printing services, assess to digital resources, state discounted purchasing of teaching supplies, programing for inservice activities to meet the ever changing use of technology and educational reform initiatives. I was an Agricultural Education teacher and our AEA hosted several meetings each year to assist all Ag Ed teachers to meeting the requirements for Perkins funding, working with curriculum development, working on developing concurrent enrollment courses with our community colleges, learning about changes in the Agricultural industry with guest speakers and tours, and simply sharing ideas and concerns between teachers. The AEAs have provided these services to all Career & Technical Education (CTE) teachers. In recent years, the AEAs have been very helpful to local CTE educators in completing Iowas secondary career and technical education program selfstudy and CTE program approvals now required on a rotating five year basis. During my many years of teaching, I was always pleased with the services and support provided by my AEAs and their staff.As a parent, some of my own children were provided services through the AEA, specifical with speech therapy. They also benefit from many of the online resources that the AEAs purchase for the use by students and teachers in each school district. I have a daughter who is employed to work with special needs students in the Cedar Rapids school district and she is very concerned about the loss the AEA services that the school district utilizes for helping their students to be successful.This change reduces local and regional control and decision relating to many educational services and priorities and puts these decision in the hands of the Director of Iowa Department of Education which is a politically appointed position.The proposed change will have a negative effect on the educational experiences and opportunities for students, educators, and families within our state. This especially affects rural school districts and school district with declining enrollments. AEAs currently provide their services to both public and private school students. Changes of this nature should have serious input from the individuals most affected by the change, and this is not the case. Changes of this nature should be intended to improve the quality of education in Iowa and this plan will not do this. Changes of this nature should be bipartisan and nonpolitical which does not appear to be the case. Rather than scrapping the Iowa AEA system that has proved to be a tremendous resource supporting a more equal access for educational opportunities for all of Iowas students, I would request leave the AEAs in place as they are and consider restoring some of the cuts in funding that they have experienced in recent years.

01-31-2024

Geneva Dillon []

As a parent of special needs children, I have worked with the AEA for years. The AEAs are not a perfect system they are filled with people, so of course they can't be perfect. There are improvements that could be made to certain AEAs. However, making sweeping judgements of the entire system and essentially dismantling the services they provide and trying to do so using incomplete, inaccurate, and heavily biased data is unconscionable and will cause severe harm to come to general ed and special ed students alike. The success and progress of our communities and society as a whole depends heavily on the level and quality of education which our children receive, and this bill will decimate the progress of thousands of present and future Iowans.

01-31-2024

Sharon Flake []

One of my children received services from the AEA. I believe that oversight is helpful and good. But, this proposal to dismantle the AEAs will be detrimental to the most vulnerable children. The idea does not seem wellthought out.Please, VOTE NO!

01-31-2024

Anne Miller [Audubon Community Schools]

I'm a school board member, parent, and former teacher from Audubon Iowa. Please vote against dismantling the AEA's. Our small, rural school district utilizes our AEA in so many ways. This is a system that works for us and is critical for the success of our students. We are doing our best to maintain local control, centralizing these services at the state level does not help our kids. I've heard the arguments for the bill and they are faulty at best. I'm unsure of what the problem is that this bill is trying to solve, what data do we have that shows the problem even exists? Who even wrote this bill and why? Why is it being rushed through in such a gross way? Our students deserve discussion and transparency. I would welcome a call, my number is below. The arguments against the bill have been nicely laid out by others, but I'm happy to elaborate on how much the AEA has meant to our local district.

01-31-2024

Darcy Wold [DMPS]

As an educator of 29 years and a parent, I beg you not to vote for this AEA bill. I see the value of their work everyday in our school. I do not support this bill and if you care about Iowa children, you wont either!

01-31-2024

Kim Madson []

Please dont take these services away from our children. There are so many wonderful services that the AEA provides our kids that many of us parents dont have the training or knowledge to help them on our own. Every child deserves the tools and people in their corner to help them succeed. Please think of who will really suffer if this bill goes through.

01-31-2024

Jacob Hudson []

This. Bill is a huge Mistake. Not only do I have a child who utilizes AEA services, as the husband of an AEA social worker, I can think of countless stories of the families she has helped. This bill makes no sense and will end up hurting special education and leaving countless families without service. Please do not vote to support this bill. It isn't for Iowans!

01-31-2024

Casey Thompson []

Comments on Bill 542 & 3073Pros:Increase pay for teachers, this will always get a better quality person in the class room as the pool for teachers will increase.Allow for private entities to provide services, if school districts elect to go private or provide their own services its for one of two reasons, money or quality. Both are a benefit to the system. Only caveat is these non AEA services have to provide the same level of care as the AEA. That means have a full staff/group consisting of the same types of professionals as the AEA's do which is more that people think.Reduce admin cost, Just because AEA's are adhering to only 5% of money to administrative cost doesn't mean they need to have inflated salaries. Extra "public" money should not go into the pockets of top administrators. let them make a decent amount and cap the salaries and move that money back into the school districts.Looking for ways to improve the level of care for both special ed services.Cons:Moving all the control to a central unit in the department of Ed. These AEAs need to stay as local as possible as the variety of populations in the state vary significantly from very rural to larger city areas. By allowing AEA's to make the decisions themselves it allows them to provide better careNot allowing AEA's and school districts to participate in providing feedback to potential changes. I believe most teachers and AEA professionals know that something needs to change and I believe they would have a lot of good insights on things that could both help with increasing the effectiveness of services to special ed as well as lowing cost. Please start this process by creating a panel to discuses how to move forward with potential changes. AEA's provide more than just special ed services and we need to make sure teachers and school districts have access to everything they need to improve themselves as well. This is especially true for rural/lower income school districts who don't have the money or means to provide these services themselves. AEA's are needed to fill that gap. Media/Early access/Teacher Training/Counseling services need to stay.Conclusion:We need to find a way to increase the level of services Iowa provides to both general ed and special ed students. We need to do this by working on oversight of the AEA's to reduce cost and give the professionals time back. What I mean is lets reduce the paperwork and overhead that these professionals do and get them more time working with the actual kids. While increasing teacher pay is a step in the right direction to increasing quality teachers, everything else in this bill does not address the quality the kids get. There is potential in this bill to actually do the opposite and reduce the level of care they get. I believe we need to have more talks with the people actually doing this work and get their opinions on what they believe will help and then move forward with a bill that more directly makes a impact on Iowa's education. By allowing these bills to move forward at this time we would be doing a disservice by not know the facts of how it would affect Iowa's kids. Therefore I believe we should not support this bill as written at this time. Thanks.

01-31-2024

Stacy Young []

Please vote no. This bill will irreparably harm students at every level of ability. Rural students will be impacted the most. There are limited alternatives for most districts when a child needs therapy, hearing support, or dyslexia services. A waiting list of 618 months is common for private services. What is missing from this bill is transparency. What problem does it fix? How will limiting services improve achievement outcomes? How will centralizing AEA oversight improve access and efficiency? How will acting against the wishes of the majority of your local constituents benefit them?

01-31-2024

Jeanna Kakavas []

AEA's are an integral part of the school system and the community. This Iowan uses these services and supports these services. I do not agree with this Bill. Please support our students and our educators by supporting the AEA system. The proposed changes will only decrease student performance.

01-31-2024

Allyson Maki []

It is imperative you vote NO. As a special education teacher in a rural district we rely on ALL of the services the AEA provides to ensure a quality education for all students. This bill will disproportionately affect rural schools such as mine as we will not have the resources to provide these services to the same extent that the AEA is currently providing them.

01-31-2024

Margaret Conrad []

The AEAs have been the only mandated resources that have been available to those who live in rural and isolated communities. This bill could leave many of these communities without services for children and their families. One of the questions I have considered is this another attempt to eliminate public education and services to those who are have few resources. Please vote NO when considering this bill.

01-31-2024

Joyce Wessels []

Please vote NO on bill SSB3073. There has not enough time or consideration of this bill drafted out of state. Our AEA agencies work to provide the best for all students. This bill will definitely hurt our children.

01-31-2024

Holly Messenger []

Please vote NO on this bill. My concern is that the quality and efficiency of the services currently provided by the AEA will diminish drastically if you pass this bill. Right now, my son has a team who work directly with him regularly in the school building. That team has a supportive, collaborative team within the AEA. My son uses an eye gaze communication device this is about as hightech and unique as they get. When his speech language pathologist, who works directly with him providing speech services, gets stuck or has a question, she has an entire assistive technology team to reach out to. They are experts in high tech communication devices and can provide her the support and education to then turn around and provide my son with the best quality speech services possible. When my son's special education teacher who is a longtime, outstanding educator gets stuck on how to present educational material or assess what my son knows, she has an entire significant disabilities team to consult. They will come in to observe, brainstorm, and collaborate with her, giving my son the best learning environment possible, maximizing his academic growth.You are not going to be able to, efficiently and economically, get that level of collaboration with a cobbled together, piecemeal, fee for service approach. And my sons education will suffer because of it.

01-31-2024

Mark Tschirgi []

I oppose SSB3073. Please vote NO. The Governor's proposal and amendment, which are nearly identical despite the outcry against this bill, will do nothing to improve educational outcomes for students. In fact, her "fee for service" model will result in LOWER educational outcomes for ALL students because AEA special education, educational services, and media services will not be sustainable. Local control is moved to Des Moines with approval from the Director of the Dept. of Education deciding if the local school's request for services is valid....This is not local control The voices are loud in opposition to the Governor's proposal. Please get the right voices at the table (parents, teachers, district leaders, AEA staff) and come up with legislation that will address this for the next generation.

01-31-2024

Nila Clark []

I am asking you to vote no to this bill. We need to protect and support all areas of the AEA not tear it apart. Our children are going to suffer tremendously if this passes.You all need to think hard about this. If you yourself had a child with special needs that the now AEA provides, would you what to wait for the Department of Education to accept or decline the request for help for your child or would you want an agency such as AEA who specializes in helping our child get the help that your child needs as soon as possible? So please vote no to this bill. It is going to do more harm to our children and education system than good. I support the AEA and pray that you will too! Thank you!

01-31-2024

Eric Schmit []

Vote NO on this bill. Iowa's Area Education Agencies provide essential services and are currently structured to enable an organizational and leadership structure that drives efficiency and promotes scalability. Iowans do not want this bill. Bills such as these make it hard to encourage young families to stay in the state. It makes it difficult to attract talent to the state. I say this from experience.

01-31-2024

Shelli Larson []

Why is there such a rush to dismantle the AEA system? If changes are warranted , theyll withstand more scrutiny and time. Please take time to consider this bill and the consequences of acting quickly and causing harm to our children and citizens. I do not support this bill and want my elected official to vote no.

01-31-2024

Karen Maass []

I am a retired PT who has worked in the public school systems and even more importantly, I am a mother of a son and two daughters who received AEA services at some level. My son was identified as a student at risk when he was in 2nd grade. He was evaluated by a psychologist from Heartland AEA and found to have an IQ in the superior range but was below grade level in reading/writing. The District he was being served in and I had a disagreement in regards to the reading program that was being used. The psychologist and the consultant from AEA and I felt that he needed a more phonics based reading program due to the type of LD he had. They along with a parent advocate from Heartland AEA came to several meetings I had with the teachers up to the Districts Director of Special Education. They helped me obtain the type of program individualized for what he needed. They educated me as to how to work with my sons teachers and the various schools he attended from elementary to high school. They even assisted my son in planning where he would attend college so he would continue to get the accommodations that he needed to be successful. My son graduated from ISU in the Architecture and Design Program. It is a selective program where only a small number of students are selected to enter. I have two other daughters who did not need special education, but had received services in the general education that was provided by the AEAs. Technology support from the AEAs was provided for them and my son since they were in grade school. I know because I attended some of the evening informational meetings since at that time the technology which was being used was new. The elementary school and their classroom teachers needed the AEAs additional support to get started and continue on. I have worked as a PT both in the clinic and also in the school system. They are very different places to work. As a PT in the school I worked directly in the classrooms, also the bathrooms, lunchrooms and anywhere in the building or outside where there was an accessibility issue or problem. I did not pull students out of class unless it was absolutely necessary. I knew the laws that governed special education, 504s and students at risk. As a PT in the clinic prior to the educational setting, I did not have a clue about any of this. It wasnt until after my training by AEAs, that I was able to figure out what the intent of the law was. If the AEAs are not present, who will provide the services that my son and daughters were provided? I not only ran into AEA staff at school, but at outside activities in the community. One sat on the steering committee of the local CHADD (Children with Attention Disabilities) and at least 23 others attended local LDA meetings. We developed relationships because they were local. Now this new law wants to change it from local to centralized control. Please support the AEAs. They are where parents and teachers have relationships and trust on a local level not on a central state level.

01-31-2024

Amanda Phaydavong []

I do NOT support SSB 3073. I'm a mother of two boys attending public schools and one of them has been using AEA services since he was 2.5 years old. He would not be where he is today without the hard work and collaborative efforts of AEA and his teachers! I dont see solutions being proposed in the bill to implement for students to achieve higher scores. Im only seeing the list of services that will no longer be provided to teachers who do the instruction. This bill will hurt all students. Please look at what IS working for all students and their families.I would like to see the teacher salary portion separated into a bill of its own and address other school staff pay. Too many are not getting paid enough for the hard and important work they do for our children and are vital for student success.

01-31-2024

Valerie Sutton []

Two of my four kids have received help from the AEA. Beginning at the age of 2, one of my boys was regressing in speech, and we received therapy services at our local elementary school with an AEA SLP. My other son was recognized with a need when he entered preschool, and he also received help with an AEA SLP. Both boys graduated from needing speech therapy by 1st grade. I know they were successful with the early intervention of the AEA. There is a definite need for their services in our state, especially in rural areas where specialized care isn't available. Our AEA is needed!

01-31-2024

Heather Monat []

Dear Subcommittee,As a Speech Language Pathologist in Iowa schools, I greatly urge you to vote NO for this bill. As it currently stands, this bill has the potential to dismantle not only our AEAs, but our entire educational system. I have worked in many smaller school districts who would be negatively impacted by this bill, no longer having access to the services they currently have. This bill will undoubtedly wreck havoc on students education across Iowa, especially those in rural districts. Please, I urge you to listen to your constituents and vote NO for this bill.

01-31-2024

Maureen Hanson []

I am writing to speak against SSB 3073. This bill was written without any input from the AEAs, superintendents, teachers, or parents. The bill, proposes drastic changes, gives little to no time to school districts to react, and essentially takes us back in time 50 years. The reason the original law was passed was so that all children, no matter what school district they were in, would have access to equal services. This bill will give children in large districts much more access to services than students in rural districts. I was on the school board in Hudson for 22 years, and I am now in my ninth year as a board member of the Central Rivers AEA. Even after 22 years on the school board in Hudson, I had no idea of all of the critical services the AEA offers. I strongly encourage you to take your time before making any changes to the AEAs. Speak to many people, understand what is being proposed, and what will be lost, and give school districts at least a year to react to whatever changes end up being passed into law. The AEAs have always been open to improvement. Please work with us to identify what improvements will benefit students in Iowa the most.

01-31-2024

Kim Kietzman []

If there are real issues with AEA services, blowing it up is not the answer. You've heard loud and clear the impact AEAs have on Iowan's lives. If you say you support teachers and take away so many services, you do not support teachers. I'm not sure where the money trail leads on this, but this cannot possibly be the best answer. The test scores are a red herring, the vast majority of special education kids don't even take that test. Please LISTEN to constituents on this.

01-31-2024

Jennifer Beck []

This bill is appalling. As an educational researcher, I am very concerned at the cherrypicked metrics that were taken out of context to justify actions that will undoubtedly reduce the quality of K12 education across the state of Iowa. You don't have to be a mathematician to realize that it is more cost effective to share resources across districts instead of duplicating the same services at each district. It is clear that districts would not be able to provide the same level of educational support to students in both special and general education without the AEAs.

01-31-2024

Carol Warmbier [Retired AEA MSW Sch. SOC. wkr.]

This bill will most certainly take control out of the hands of local school districts by giving final decision making power to the DE. The ability of AEAs to provide efficient and timely service will be undermined. Relationships matter. As a former school social worker in many small districts as well as a more urban one, it is clear to me that services will be disrupted by this bill. Teams, collaborative relationships with parents, teachers, and administration and AEA service providers make all the difference in the success of all students, including those with special needs. The current structure has a system of oversight and checks and balances to make good decisions. This will be lost under the current bill. Please vote no.

01-31-2024

Debi O'Brien []

I am the mom of a student with Down Syndrome & orher complex issues. My daughter teaches students with very intense needs. Both of us are very well versed on IDEA , intervention strategies & yet we will always rely on AEA as no one person can do this alone. As for other services there are a great many students in IA who would never get enhanced activities such as STEAM without AEA services our goals should be greater educational equity for ALL students in Iowa

01-31-2024

Patricia Bowen []

I am writing to ask you to protect the AEAs for all kids to succeed and schools (public and nonpublic!). Ensure that all, meaning everyone, have access to the full scope of resources AEAs currently provide without interruption of funding or interference from politicians!Iowa students deserve to have the best support services and the AEAs have provided that for decades. This is much too important an issue to decide so quickly and in a vacuum. The Governors proposal harms the very structure that was created to provide efficient and effective services available to any student who has an identified need in schools and communities large and small across the state. It also reduces the scope of services provided to schools, especially in rural areas. Students will be negatively impacted when the efficiency and effectiveness of the AEA is harmed by diluting the impact of state funds and privatizing services.With this proposed bill I feel we are going backwards in this state. Please listen to your constituents as well as experts in the field.

01-31-2024

Amy Condon []

This bill will have a negative impact on ALL Iowa students: public and private, as the AEA also provides numerous resources to private schools. Many of the representatives are not even aware of all the support, resources/materials, and guidance that AEA provides to all school buildings. The citizens of Iowa have made it loud and clear that dismantling the AEAs is not whats best for our kids. The AEAs are happy to come to the table and make changes, but quickly throwing them out is not going to benefit anyone. If changes need to be made, then lets take the time to make changes TOGETHER. Collaborate with schools and AEAs to figure out how to make changes. But rushing this bill through? It sure seems like this is more of a political agenda rather than something that will benefit Iowans. We elected our representatives to represent US, the citizens of Iowa. If you do not hear us now, we will make sure you hear us loud and clear at the next election. Please vote no. Send this bill back to the committee. Do not take away the very important resources and services away from Iowas kids. Iowa is better than that.

01-31-2024

Emily Berglund []

As a special education teacher I vehemently oppose this bill. I work very closely with AEA staff to provide the best support I can to my students. Taking away this support to teachers, students, and families will be extremely detrimental.

01-31-2024

Christina Rhodes []

This bill, no matter what the talking points say, would take funding away from the AEA and thus away from students who need extra supports. I vehemently oppose this bill and encourage our legislators to do the same.

01-31-2024

Kim Pape []

Please do not support this bill. I worked as a para in the public school system for 23 years. The AEA educators and resources provided were invaluable to the success of the students I worked with, both in the special education setting and in the general education setting. Please listen to the teachers and parents who are aware of the integral part the AEA services provides for the students of Iowa. All the students of Iowa! Again, I urge you to vote no on this bill.

01-31-2024

Jenna Weiland []

I worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over 10 years; child care centers and Headstart. As we all know, there is a huge child care shortage; many centers have waitlists and many centers struggle to find staffing. In my years of working in the field, the amount of children who struggle with meeting milestones, struggling to talk, challenging behaviors, mental health illnesses, etc. continually grew. The AEA has been such an ESSENTIAL NEED for these children and for educators. If the AEA resources are pulled from educators, our children will suffer tremendously. You talk about how the AEA has failed many children.. let me share just a few examples of how the AEA has helped children THRIVE...A pair of twins were born prematurely, the AEA was involved around at 4 months old of age helping these babies learn how to roll over, sit up, how to eat, how to talk, how to interact with others until they were around 18 months. Now, these girls are chatter boxes, love running and playing with others. Without the services of the AEA, they would not be thriving.A toddler who was two, couldn't babble which is a milestone most 45 month olds can reach. A speech pathologist met with this child once a week, helping him to learn the basics of talking. This toddler also had a biting problem because he didn't have the ability to form words. He worked with the speech pathologist for a few months and is now forming FULL SENTENCES and hasn't bit in over a year!!!A preschooler was having a hard time in the classroom and was unable to regulate his emotions, share any toys, communicate when he was upset, became aggressive when angry, etc. All of these things caused problems in the classroom and made it difficult for staff to manage the overall classroom. An early access education specialist came in and helped provide resources for this child and the classroom staff. She helped teach the child about being angry and how to reroute his feelings. A speech pathologist met with him a few times a week and he began being able to use words instead of becoming aggressive. They also worked with the child's family to utilize resources at home. This family had their child on a waitlist with 3 different play therapists and were never able to get an appointment. Once the AEA became involved for a few months, the child did not need to see a play therapist because they were seeing results with the AEA staff WHO CAME DIRECTLY INTO HIS CLASSROOM AT THE CHILD CARE CENTER!! This child went from having 45 outbursts a day to maybe one a month!! In summary, I could sit here and write all the success stories on how useful and essential the AEA is. It is very evident that none of you have stepped foot into a classroom and observed the success of the AEA and the children they serve or simply talked to families who were beyond grateful for their services. If you think the AEA is "failing" students, just wait until you take it away. It will be detrimental to our students and our education system. You say you care about Iowans but yet you want to take away a very important part of our educational system? Shame on you!!!

01-31-2024

Malorie Thompson []

As an Iowa educated parent of Iowa students, and AEA staff member, Im deeply concerned about the ramifications this bill could have. Ive seen firsthand the benefits of AEAs and their services. Ive used various services as a student, parent, and professional. I urge you not to allow this bill to continue any farther. Instead, Id ask you to take the time to be in the schools, visit the small districts, meet with parents, teachers, and professionals to hear how positively impacting AEA services are. Moving forward with this bill will impact our students in small rural districts the most. These are districts with many families in poverty as it is. It is not ok for our students to not receive fair and appropriate public education. As a professional, my services are strengthened by the support of colleagues around me. Moving forward on this bill will chase educators away from Iowa at a time that we are already struggling with a teacher shortage. Please vote NO.

01-31-2024

Melanie Van Dyke []

I am writing to ask you to vote NO on this bill. Please stop this bill from moving forward. We moved to Iowa 10 years ago. I was an educator in another state. We were so pleased with the education system in Iowa and with the access and opportunities that children had at school. Things that were not available in another state. Over the last 10 years, we have watched the school system decline with continued funding cuts and huge teacher shortages. My own children have benefited from the AEA services. My son was on a 504. When the school was not following the 504 as written, the AEA was there to support us and our son. My daughter is currently part of the Talented and Gifted program that receives support from the AEA. I fear that with the changes this bill are making, rural schools will see a loss of services that are so important for children, families and schools. Please slow down, take the time to know and understand what Iowa schools need and include stakeholders in the conversations. Take the time to understand! Please vote NO on this bill.

01-31-2024

Sophia Finley []

I dont know what you are trying to do by getting rid of a long standing institution that has time and time again aided the kids of Iowa schools. All you are doing now is making it more difficult for schools and CHILDREN who need help with whatever they struggle with access to the resources they need to reach academic and social stability. The so called over funding and things being left unchecked are untrue a honestly blasphemous statements. As someone who has grown up in the system and had may current and former ties to the AEA and many inside of it I see this as nothing more than a move to get rid of something for no logical reason. The test that kids need to take to measure how much progress is being made by these AEA workers to prove that there is actual work being done is not a reliable piece of evidence that supports why this entire academic system should be remade. Children who have reached their goals and no longer need assistance are pulled out and no longer need to do the testing because they have improved enough to where these workers no longer need to assist them. Making the entire of the children who are tested to be the worse off kids heavily swaying the overall number and outcome. No one besides teacher and those who are long standing members of the academic community should be making these decisions, not the people in charge that by proxy have so vague understanding of what actually happens in a classroom and what it really takes to be a teacher and educator who actually cares about the wellbeing and benefit of the children of Iowa. This is wrong on so many levels and I urge you to vote no. Not for the organization this is all trying to destroy but for the livelihood of our children and the people who have spent YEARS OF THEIR LIVES to make sure the younger generations if kids have the start they need to be successful and supported.

01-31-2024

Daniel Krull []

Say no to this bill and please separate out the teacher pay increase part of the bill and vote on them as separate bills. Teachers deserve better pay and to help recruit new people into the profession. Stop making education political.

01-31-2024

Kacie Aistrope []

As a constituent and someone who has worked directly with countless district staff and AEA staff the last 9 years, I am asking that you vote no to this bill and current amendment. While this has been promoted as giving more power to the schools, the original bill gave power to the department of ed, and the amendment takes the power even further away from schools by giving to to the appointed director of the department of ed. Additionally, marketing graphics promoted by Governer Kim Reynolds continue to solely place the blame for 'failing students with disabilities' on the AEA, while AEAs do not hire special education teachers that provide the majority of special designed instruction for students on IEPs. Furthermore, if students with disabilities were performing at the same level as their peers, I would be concerned that the student is receiving special education supports in the first place and were overqualified. Please do your research, read between the lines, and vote no on the bill.

01-31-2024

Erin Perez []

This bill does not benefit anyone in public education. I spent 3 years working for an AEA before moving to Florida, which is apparently the model for Kim Reynolds. The school system supports here compared to the AEAs is nothing. I still talk about all the support schools and children had in Iowa because of the AEAs. Following the game plan of Ron DeSantis wont end well for Iowa. Since Reynolds took over, Iowa has dropped in its ranking of K12 education. This bill would surely drop it further. Think of all the rural school districts in Iowa that wouldnt be able to afford the current level of support they have for their students. Why would you change something that literally serves as a model for a great educational system for the rest of the US?

01-31-2024

Debra Robin []

Please vote No on HSB 542. All organizations should be reviewed and make the necessary changes to improve. However an outside review of AEAs without including our educators, parents, and AEA administrators seems wrong. I worked for GWAEA for 39 years as a speechlanguage pathologist. I worked in urban and rural settings and saw first hand how the many services of an AEA were utilized by the schools. My own children benefited from the materials and services provided by the AEA when they were in school. Please vote No.

01-31-2024

Mary Stevens [Central Rivers AEA Board Member]

I am opposed to SSB 3073 and ask you to vote no on this bill. The stated purpose of the bill is to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. There is no evidence that any changes in this bill will have any positive impact on the performance of individual students. Lets take a look at whats working well for students with disabilities in our current Iowa educational system. Then focus our efforts and resources on replicating these effective practices across Iowa. This bill will substantially disrupt our Iowa educational system and essentially dismantle the AEAs. We will have to spend precious time and resources to recreate a system rather than continuing our efforts to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Please vote no on SSB 3073.

01-31-2024

Kate Fairfax []

Hello, I urge you to vote against this bill harming Iowa's AEAs or at least slow it down. It is irresponsible to make rushed decisions based on incorrect data that will harm all Iowa students and especially those with disabilities or living in Rural areas. Our children and our educators deserve better! Do the research. Listen to the families, professionals and educators that work with these systems. They are the ones that know the changes that should be made and how to work on them. This bill is not the way. My children are in kindergarten and have both benefited greatly from AEA support. I do not believe my daughter would be where she is today, thriving in school, without the AEA. Please do not support these bills. SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN!

01-31-2024

Daniel Dorman []

Overall, I think SSB 3073 if passed would be harmful to the quality of education in the state. It seems more like a solution in search of a problem, where one doesn't exist or at least not in the manner that this bill is trying to address. I grew up when Iowa was known for having one of the best public education systems in the country, and am disappointed that the advantage we once had has gone by the wayside. I believe this will would further erode our communities abilities to support the teachers, students, staff and parents in educating our children. We all really deserve more than this. Please do not support SSB 3073. Thank you.

01-31-2024

Kate Fairfax []

01-31-2024

Tara Johannsen []

The AEAs Creative Services is a crucial part of Iowas educational system. They do everything from creating custom, oneofakind tools to help nonverbal kids communicate to printing and organizing support materials for the curriculum used in a general ed class. They make teachers ideas become useful tools and save them time so they can spend more time using these support materials with kids in the classroom. The AEA equipment is more efficient printing 100+ pages per minute vs. the 3040 pages per minute of the printers located in most schools. Staff are trained in the specialty areas of printing and graphic design so they have the knowledge to produce support materials in the most efficient way for the most effective use.

01-31-2024

Nicole Loew []

Vote no. This bill is a classic example of not fixing the actual problem, creating problems where problems don't exist, not engaging with all appropriate stakeholders, and manipulating votes by including unpopular legislation with popular legislation (gutting AEA, but increasing teacher salaries). While all systems have space for improvement, dismantling without input, at the expense of children, is grossly negligent. This legislation will also disproportionately impact rural schools and families. Vote no.

01-31-2024

Lori Beierschmitt []

Reading thru the majority of these comments leaves only 1 action for our elected officials, that are in that office to represent their districts and citizens of Iowa, the Only imaginable decision in the Best Interest of the kids now & for their Future is to "Vote NO". I read that Gov Kim spent 8 million dollars to do a study on the AEA's .... REALLY... $8 Million Dollars could have have been used more wisely in our Education Fund. Is this Gov Kim's way of creating a bigger gap between public and private schools? Gov Kim, you should be listening to all the Iowa Voters, what I'm reading is 'Vote NO'. Iowa has always had the recognition for the Education State. Lets not go backwards when Iowa's kids need the most help, and most of that help comes from their schools & AEA's. VOTE "N O". Don't be rushing to destroy something that has been proven to get results. IOWA KIDS MATTER TOO!

01-31-2024

Tim Glaza [Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement]

January 31, 2024Dear Education Subcommittee Members,Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (CCI) is opposed to HSB 542 and SSB 3073. These bills are a solution in search of a problem and were not written in collaboration with Iowa education experts and those communities directly impacted. Members of Iowa CCI are joining with parents, teachers, AEA support staff, and other concerned citizens to protect our local schools and regional AEAs from the cuts and changes in Governor Reynolds proposals. Her proposed amendments do not improve the study bills.Slashing vital services offered by our Area Education Agencies (AEAs) would be devastating to schools. AEAs are regionally based and accountable to local communities and we must maintain local control of our public schools and education system, not hand it over to the Iowa Department of Education.AEAs provide special education support, media services, training, crisis intervention, professional development and more. These agencies are critical for kids, families, teachers and our communities. AEAs serve more than 500,000 Iowa students and are especially important in rural Iowa.As mentioned in a Jan 23rd guest opinion in the Oelwein Daily Register, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley championed the creation of AEAs as a state legislator in the 1970s in order to level the education playing field between urban and rural school districts. Grassley was instrumental in writing and passing the original bill that created the AEA system in Iowa. He understood that rural districts simply do not have the resources in human or financial capacity to cover these costs. AEAs work is essential and it was an AEA crisis team that landed at Perry High School on Day 1 of the mass shooting just weeks ago. They continue to be there daily, working with children and staff as they struggle to recover from the tragedy.At Iowa CCI, we believe that every child no matter their zip code, background, race, gender, identity, or ability has an equal right to a quality education. That means fully funding our public schools, urban and rural, so that every child gets an accurate and honest education that prepares them for their future and an opportunity to pursue their dreams.For nearly 50 years, Iowas AEAs have provided our students an opportunity to grow and learn. Improving and strengthening Iowas AEAs is something we support but the ideas and approach taking by the Governor are foolish and disastrous for Iowa. Iowans from all over the state are speaking out against the proposed changes in HSB 542/SSB 3073 and we ask you to listen to them.

01-31-2024

Rebekah Stewart []

I'm writing to urge you to vote no on SSB 3073. AEAs are an invaluable resource to our community, specifically for children with disabilities. My own child greatly benefitted from AEA services through Early Access, and continues to benefit from AEA services in her school. The support the AEAs provide to our schools cannot be understated, and rural schools especially would suffer from lack of services. Privatizing education is not the way to best serve Iowa's children and families.

01-31-2024

Andrew Kingsbury []

Iowa's AEA has helped us secure resources for our special needs son. Our public school refused to offer us the help we needed for him (after multiple requests on our end) even though he was behind academically and was diagnosed with special needs from an independent source. Our public school wouldnt even test him for these things (again, after multiple requests on our end). Once AEA stepped in we were able to establish that he was actually behind academically and did have special needs. Because AEA advocated for him we were able to get the resources he needed. He is now getting the help that he needs to get back on track academically. I am very confident that without AEA's assistance we would not have gotten this help from our public school. I do not trust public schools to do the right thing without AEA's expertise and assistance.

01-31-2024

Joel Maki []

AEA's are an integral part of the school system and the community. As a parent I support these services and believe they are a key part of success in our rural schools especially . I do not agree with this Bill. Please support our students and our educators by supporting the AEA system. The proposed changes will only decrease student performance.

01-31-2024

Rebecca Leer [25 year veteran Special Education Teacher and Consultant]

SLOW DOWN!!!We all agree that change is Good for Everyone, but not at the risk of jeopardizing the education of ALL IOWA Students! Speak to the people of Iowa in education that know what is going on in the schools and the AEA's.Develop a plan over time that will Benefit ALL of our Iowa Students!!!Please Vote No to This Bill!Sincerely,Rebecca Leer

01-31-2024

Ann Reicher []

Please read all of these detailed and very well articulated comments in OPPOSITION to HSB542/SSB3073. The comprehensive services provided by our AEAs are valued by schools, teachers, superintendents, students and families. Dismantling them instead of working with AEAs to address concerns and support the development of our children from birth through high school is completely irresponsible and counter to the goal of educational progress and excellence in our state. Your constituents do not support this bill! VOTE NO!!

01-31-2024

David Sande []

Ive got family and friends who have developmental disabilities and mental illness . The AEAs have provided great resources that have helped. This is a bad bill. I am opposed to any attempt to undermine, underfund or change the AEAs as they are. Let this bill die.

01-31-2024

Melissa Weber []

Please do not consider this bill for removing AEA services throughout Iowa. I believe that the Governor's plan is not going to have a negative impact on so many students. The Governor and law makers need to really listen to the people that provide these services and educators that are impacted by them before pushing a bill through quickly and without a full understanding of their decisions. The information should be coming from within our state, not an outside consulting group that does not have a stake in this outside of financially. While my students do not have a direct relationship with AEA staff, their schools do and they benefit from the services provided. I just can't wrap my head around why we are trying to fix things that are not broken, and using stats that are misleading to push this agenda. I just cannot support this, and I hope that lawmakers think long and hard about supporting this because it's not a good thing for our state.

01-31-2024

Andrew Kelley []

Please oppose SSB3073. The proposed changes are near universally proposed by the parents with children in the program and education/special education professionals.Please represent your constituents and vote against SSB3073.

01-31-2024

Anne Jessen [Licensed Mental Health Professional ]

I am asking my legislators to vote NO to the bill threatening to dismantle Iowas AEAs. Area Education Agencies are crucial to the success of Iowas students. AEAs are woven through the fabric of the school system, providing an abundance of services and resources to students, educators, parents, and communities. Eliminating these services, especially in rural communities, will not only impact students, but parents, educators, and professionals who rely on access to adequate training. Please take time to understand the enormous impact AEAs have on Iowans statewide. Hastily pushing this bill through would inevitably have a negative impact. Thank you.

01-31-2024

John Dawson []

Subject: Urgent: Please Vote "No" to Bill 542To Whom It May Concern,I am writing to express my strong opposition to Bill 542 and to urge you to vote "no." As a member of the Republican Party, I am deeply concerned about the lack of transparency and public engagement in the consideration of this bill. I was not invited to any town hall meetings to discuss its implications, and I believe that the voices of the community are not being adequately heard.One of the most troubling aspects of Bill 542 is its potential to eliminate the Area Education Agencies (AEA) in Iowa. I have personally witnessed the vital role that AEA plays in supporting children with disabilities in our schools. In elementary schools, I have seen how teachers struggle to handle students with disabilities, often resorting to isolating them in restrictive environments for exhibiting outbursts. It is evident that many teachers are not adequately trained to address these complex challenges. My own experience living with my grandson during his elementary years highlighted these issues until the AEA intervened and provided crucial support. Thanks to the AEA's involvement, my grandson received an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and made significant progress. Now, as he prepares to have his IEP reviewed, I can confidently say that none of this progress would have been possible without the collaboration between the AEA and our school.Today, my grandson is a freshman on the honor roll, and I attribute much of his success to the invaluable support provided by the AEA. Therefore, I strongly believe that it is imperative to reject Bill 542. If this bill is passed, it will undoubtedly set back the progress of our education system in Iowa by decades, and the consequences will be detrimental to our students and their families.I implore you to consider the real impact that this bill will have on our community and to stand with us by voting "no" on Bill 542. It is crucial that our elected officials prioritize the wellbeing and education of our children over political agendas.Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.Sincerely,John DawsonJohnpdawsonjryahoo.com

01-31-2024

Anthony Martin []

I would urge the subcommittee to oppose SSB 3073. This bill has been rushed, with little or no input by the teachers and families that it will impact the most. Saying special education is underperforming is not a direct result of the AEA's, rather a result of the entire school system. Another look at the AEA's needs to be done, including feedback from teachers and families, before these drastic measures are taken that will have a lasting impact on all students in Iowa. In addition, teacher pay does need to be increased but to have this in the same bill that would rip away a big part of their support system is ridiculous. Having both issues together seems to be a way for the Governor and Director of Ed to try and force it through with less pushback.

01-31-2024

Stuart Trembath []

When I first moved to Iowa 42 years ago, I was an audiologist working for the area, education agency in Clearlake, Iowa. At that time, the field of audiology held. We were recognized as the model for educational audiology. Years later, when I was the president of the Iowa speech language hearing association, I attended numerous national meetings, where, once again, Iowa was recognized as the premier educational audiology state in the country. Today I represent the American speech, language and hearing association at numerous national meetings even 42 years later, Iowa is again recognized as the epitome of educational audiology. Funding issues abound both at the national, an at the state level and support a special education. Our federal legislators refuse to fully fund IDEA. at the state level, there has been increasing pressure to reduce funding for all students. I hope that you will vote on this legislation. Thank you.

01-31-2024

Charlotte Wise Wise [Retired educator]

Public schools need more funding right now as soon as possible. All the things that have been told head are true. I will just tell you private schools do not need any funding and they may not be allowed to pick any kids they want please lets help with the people in charge of education, public schools, more money, please

01-31-2024

Brenda Saville [Education field/public school ]

I find this bill to dismantle the AEAs in Iowa absolutely disgusting. The outside (state) influences have no idea what is best for Iowa studentsNONE! Gov Reynolds should be ashamed to give this any attention at all. I have 3 daughters in education and see and hear of their experiences and needs. The AEA is a vital component to getting the aid they need for their students. Please, please vote NO!!!!

01-31-2024

Jessie Eveland []

Today I am writing as a student with hearing loss but also as an audiology student. My hearing loss was discovered through the AEA school hearing screenings. I received a followup hearing evaluation through the GPAEA home office. There I was provided with more information about my hearing loss, along with resources, support, and referrals to take the next steps within my hearing journey. Even though I did not receive direct AEA services in the classroom they still provided my teachers with information on how to help me succeed in the classroom. My personal hearing journey led me to pursue audiology as a career with a dream to become an audiologist. As an audiology student I have had the great privilege of working alongside educational audiologists and Teachers of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing withing the AEA. Their passion for their work is evident in how they interact with each student. It is apparent how important student success and wellbeing is from the moment you step into any meeting, educational session, hearing screening, etc. My experiences as a student working with the AEA has greatly influenced my career direction and I am extremely grateful for the mentors I gained from my experiences. My own hearing journey may have had a few bumps along the way to where I am today but I take pride in my foundation in the AEA. My own hearing loss allowed me to gain confidence in advocating for myself and others. Due to this I will always strongly support the AEA and all services within the organization that provides solid foundations for students to find success, acceptance, and support throughout more than their education journey but into the rest of their lives.

01-31-2024

Susan Hyland []

I am very concerned with the plans to modify the AEA system in Iowa and the changes in the funding streams for these agencies. Having a piece meal system will not be cost effective and could lead to more children falling through the increased number of cracks.

01-31-2024

Eldon Cross []

Thank you your open discussion on the AEA "opportunities" being put forth. You have and will continue to hear from people throughout the state on this matter. My comment to you is has Governor Reynolds done her homework on this before announcing her proposal? We, as citizens of the State of Iowa, have discovered that this isn't always the case. If so, I'd like to see her work! I did see an article where a consultant was brought in to back some of the governor' findings. My question to you as a committee is how was this study funded? As the "expert witness" for the state, is there room to hear from another expert that may not come up with the same findings. We must be careful that any unconscious bias didn't taint the findings.Whether it be a lack of funding or poor leadership at the local AEA, let's make sure everything is explored before any bill is introduced. Thank you.

01-31-2024

Pauline Miller []

My dear brother Bruce with intellectual disability has needed the support and programs offered as he grew up in rural northeast Iowa. We cannot take them away from the students who need them now !!And to measure the benefits they receive by testing is not the right measuring stick !!!As for all of us lifting up our quality of life and opening doors for growth is vital Your goal should be to work for the best for all of us who live in IowaPeacePauline Miller

01-31-2024

Kate Parks []

I'm writing to you as a mother, educator, and school board member urging you to vote no on SSB 3073. Area Education Agencies provide vital services and support to all Iowa students, whether they live in urban or rural districts or attend public or private schools. They provide crucial support for parents and families whose children have special needs. Additonally, they supply a wealth of resources, training, and information for teachers, staff, and school districts in their crucial work with kids. The breadth of their support is a strength of the program, not a deficit and is a reflection of the ways that AEAs respond to the needs of their local communities. Passing this legislation without a clear and dilineated plan for how the Department of Education or local school districts will provide these services will surely result in deficits for the children and staff who rely on their AEAs. I urge you to slow this process down, listen to Iowans who are clearly in support of the good work of AEAs, and to vote no to any effort to dismantle a system that benefits so many.

01-31-2024

Deb Siebenga [GWAEA/Parent]

I am speaking on behalf of the TAG students in the state of Iowa. Specifically, the GWAEA offers an amazing program called College for Kids that is offered in the summer for high achieving middle school students through Grant Wood AEA. My daughter took part in it far before I became involved in gifted ed. She and many hundreds of students participated in dissecting, mock trial, advanced writing courses, computer courses and many more. These students are our future leaders in medicine, law, education, politics, business and many other areas. Please don't forget all the AEA's are doing for this group of highly talented students. Losing these programs would be heartbreaking and crippling to our brightest students.

01-31-2024

Gretchen Lawyer []

I am opposed to this bill. If enacted into law would create massive barriers to education. Its hard to know where to begin because as a classroom teacher I relied on the AEAS on a daily basis to support my students and my own development as an educator. The AEAs provided my students with the resources for a Free and Appropriate Public Education. So many professionals ranging from speech therapists, special education consultants, occupational therapists, social workers, content area consultants were there as collaborative partners to help provide the classroom environment and instruction that my students needed. This doesnt even include all the instructional resources the AEA provided to me, access to books, technology, digital tools and all the professional development that helped me grow as an educator. This bill would end those opportunities. I urge you not to pass this bill.

01-31-2024

Kristine Warford Henry []

Please slow down what seems like a race to follow a plan that some people in Virginia secretly developed for Iowa schools, teachers, kids, families and communities. Let's involve all the schools and AEAs and make this a well thought out process for efficiencies and for everyone. Let's keep what we need and want and get rid of things that no longer serve a need, purpose or mandate. This is democracy at work, it's sticky, it takes time and it's important. Everyone who this involves, needs to be able to contribute. That's how we get what Iowans want... not by asking people in Virginia to write up a plan. Teacher pay needs to be separated out from this bill and passed immediately. Don't make the valuable teachers of Iowa wait.

01-31-2024

Bryce Bentley []

As the parent of a child who struggled with reading for several years before getting the necessary help from the AEA, I am asking you to vote NO to this bill. My child struggled to read and as such his test scores and his ability to keep up with his peers in his class fell behind also. My wife and I reached out to the AEA and he was evaluated by one of their fantastic specialists and now a year and a half later he has caught back up with his peers and enjoys going to school again. Please do not take this resource away from our schools or try to fix something that isn't broken.

01-31-2024

Lisa Lueken []

Our AEAs provide invaluable services to families and children with disabilities. In our school district, we work closely with our AEA reps to ensure how to best support students. They are the EXPERTS in our state at this. To turn this mighty job over to already understaffed and overworked school districts is to essentially ensure that our students with disabilities will not have their needs met. Special education is a complex system and to wreck an essential part of that system with no clear path to keep the system running is foolery and an injustice to the very children that need our support the most.

01-31-2024

Amy Wilder []

I urge lawmakers to reconsider cutting the budget from the AEA, especially as currently proposed.AEA provide so many important services to students who need special ed services services, but they provide so much support to schools and teachers overall as well.Please, please, as a parent of a child, who has a 504 plan, I beg you please do not cut these services.

02-01-2024

Marianne Zahorik []

These are the AEA services used by Lisbon teachers just in the last calendar year* Physical therapy consult* Physical therapy support in the classroom for IEPs and GenEd* Physical therapy tools checkout* Occupational therapy consult* Occupational therapy support in the classroom for IEPs and GenEd* Occupational therapy tools checkout* Adaptive PE consult & support 504s and IEPs* Adaptive PE tools checkout* Speech pathology consult * Speech pathology support in the classroom for IEPs and GenEd* Vision services consult* Professional Development for license renewal credit* Professional Development for graduate credit* Behavior consult & support in the classroom for 504s, IEPs and GenEd* Math Specialist consult* Math Specialist support in the classroom* Literacy Specialist consult* Literacy Specialist support in the classroom* Science Specialist consult* Science Specialist support in the classroom* Science curriculum check out* Media Center checkout* copying, binding, laminating of materials* graphic design* Curriculum selection support networking local schools* Tech Support* Standards based grading professional development & support* PBIS coaching learning, support and guidance* PBIS coaching networks* PBIS external coach support* Digital learning resources for kids* DIgital learning resources for teachers* TAG support and guidance* Powerschool learning and support* Test score data collection and comparisonOther services I have seen being utilized in my district this year* new teacher support and guidance through mentorship* assistive technology support* autism specialist support* preschool support* early access services* college for kids* CTE support* Mental health supports* Sub authorization classes

02-03-2024

Julie Finch []

AEAs are one of the best deals around. They take shared resources, usually from the larger school districts (who increasingly have less money) and make sure that smaller usually more rural school districts have what they need for their students who have special education needs. They hire professionals that cannot be found elsewhere, and the idea to simply privatize them will create more scarcity. The Governors plan attempts to fix something that is not broken.