LEGISLATIVE FORUM IN SCOTT COUNTY
Saturday, February 25th, the most recent Legislative Forum was held at
St. Ambrose University in Davenport. It is held the last Saturday
of each month that the legislators meet in session.
It was attended by the three state senators who represent parts of
Scott County and by 5 of the 6 state representatives from the Scott
County and southern Clinton County areas.
An audience of about 120 was there to listen as the elected officials
spoke of pending legislation and research being done in
committees. Questions from the patient audience followed.
Where money is spent and where money is cut were the prime concerns
that morning. One teacher asked whether or not there would be
additional funding this year for early childhood programs in public
schools.
Senator Maggie Tinsman (R-Bettendorf) said yes and no. She said
there are already millions of dollars going into these programs.
The senator felt a task force should be set up in which corporations
and private money could be funneled towards helping those who cannot
afford early childhood education.
Senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport) responded, “(We) hate to put a
lot of money into it then all of a sudden we can't do it… it's maybe
our mistake that this started and we're going to shut it off.
Going along four or five months and all of a sudden we're going to stop
it, we say what happened? I don't think anybody knew that bill
when it was passed that the latitude would be there is a typical
example of a bill …when they write the rules and regs (regulations) and
they just completely expanded the scope of what I think the
legislatures thought of it….”
Regarding a question about teachers' pay, Representative Cindy Winckler
(D-Davenport, District 84) said when teacher compensation was discussed
in 2001 it turned into a teacher quality, student achievement
issue. A teacher's license is tied to their evaluation in their
local districts. “I don't think there is any other profession that we
have done that with….Now it is time to pay up. We absolutely have got
to keep our promises. We cannot set up a system, and then fail to
fund it. And that is exactly where we are with the teacher
quality. I will do everything I can to make sure that adequate
dollars are there in order for you to do the job that we expect you to
do.”
Per Senator Frank Wood (D-Eldridge), in 2002 (IOWA) teacher's salaries
ranked 36 in the nation, 38th in 2004, and currently in 2006 the
ranking is 41st. The senator said we are going the wrong way.
Senator Wood said he hasn't seen a pay-for-performance system that
works…”We are currently making our teachers do, right now,
portfolios. Personally, as an administrator, I think it's
all right…You tell me what I can do to make you a better teacher so that
our student achievement is on the rise…I do believe that we have to do
something first of all to make sure that we get the brightest into the
teaching field so that our kids get the best teachers that we can
afford.”
Teachers' salaries was just one of the many complex issues brought up
that day. More to come later on that days discussion.
To contact your senator or representative, go to www.legis.state.ia.us
Remember to also CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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