Young Iowans who hear all the talk about the state's commitment to education may wonder if they're hearing things correctly.

That's
because the words and deeds don't match, and haven't for too long.
Indeed, Iowans long have prided ourselves on offering high-quality
education and have committed ourselves to keeping that quality high.

But
dwindling state funding has cast an ever-growing shadow over the public
education system. We've heard too many reports of programs being cut or
eliminated, not to mention school closings.

Thankfully,
parents and concerned residents have accepted the challenge to keep
some programs alive and part of a well-rounded education through
fund-raisers and other activities.

But
here's a problem that waffle dinners and bake sales can't touch. Iowa's
teacher pay has slipped four spots since last year and now ranks 38th
nationally.

A
survey by the National Education Association showed Iowa teachers
averaged $39,432 last year — more than $7,000 below the national
average of $46,726. Our teachers drawing that kind of salary had an
average of 15 years of service.

Iowa
also dropped two places, to 38th, in the amount of per-pupil spending.
That averaged $7,098 last year, 1.8 percent more than the previous year
but not enough to keep pace with many other states.

It
goes to show that talk's cheap — we talk about a commitment to quality
education, but our state leaders don't back it up like they should.

Now,
some will point to the 4 percent increase in school funding approved in
the last legislative session. But most education groups wanted 6
percent, and will continue to work for that.

That's
because by the time that 4 percent is divided among rising health
insurance, utility and transportation costs, just to name a few areas,
the funds remaining for teacher salaries may be negligible, according
to Mason City Superintendent Keith Sersland.

It's
time for the Legislature to put an end to the talk and start finding
ways to pump up the education funding. We need to attract and keep the
brightest minds and stop the raiding of our best educators by nearby
states such as Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Many
argue that Iowa's quality of life should be a factor in drawing good
educators, and it is for those of us who hold the Hawkeye state near
and dear. But other states offer a quality lifestyle as well, and more
money to enjoy it.

No
one says it's going to be easy to find the money to make this all
happen. Demand for more cash runs up and down the legislative to-do
list, from economic development to social services, and each area has
valid arguments.

But
to make improvements in those other areas, it seems logical that we
have to start by educating our young people in the best way possible,
and we need quality teachers to do that. To keep those quality
teachers, we must pay them well.

To
let Iowa's rank in teacher pay keep slipping is embarrassing and
inexcusable. Education has long been an Iowa point of pride, and it's a
point the Legislature must address as soon as the gavel falls on the
next session.

Agree? Disagree? Send your letter to the editor to the Editor's Mailbag at news@globegazette. com or by regular mail to Editor's Mailbag, Globe Gazette, P.O. Box 271, Mason City, IA 50402-0271.