Nussle's Record on Education
By Erin Seidler, IDP
Jim Nussle revealed his plan to cut education funding and “accomplish
consolidation” during an appearance before the Institute for
Tomorrow's Workforce last week in Des Moines. The Des Moines
Register noted that while Nussle has implied in the past that he would
spend less on Iowa's schools – now he's stating publicly that
cuts should be required. [Des Moines Register, 8/23/06]
Chet
Culver believes those decisions should remain at the local level, with
locally elected school board members and parents from the community
participating, and Iowans should be skeptical when it comes to
proposals like the one Nussle has made.
The talking points are
below. PLEASE ALERT THE MEDIA to Jim Nussle's dangerous plan to
consolidate Iowa's schools. Remember, send your letter back to Erin
Seidler of the IDP, and we will feature it on our website!
School Consolidation Talking Points
1· Iowa has a long tradition of local control of schools.
2·
In the 1985-1986 school year, there were 437 school districts;
in the 2004-2005, there were only 367. [Quad City Times, 8/30/06]
3·
Chet Culver is opposed to mandatory school consolidation. He
believes in empowering local school districts to make their own
decisions.
4·
Jim Nussle would mandate cuts in school
administration, putting Iowa school systems on the path to
consolidation.
* Nussle Advocated Cutting Administration to “Accomplish
Consolidation.” The Des Moines Register reported that while
Nussle
has implied in the past that Iowa's schools cost too much, “now
he's stating publicly that cuts should be required.†Nussle
added, “I think there's a lot of room for consolidation of leadership
and
administration and bureaucracy in education,” and that his plan
“accomplishes consolidation.” [Des Moines Register, 8/23/06,
emphasis added]
Nussle has a record in Washington of
failing to support education. Nussle voted for No Child Left Behind,
then cut funds to implement it. He says he supports Iowa schools but
voted 100 times against education in Washington. Nussle voted against
new teachers, school construction, even college loans.
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