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Iowa’s AEAs need your support

During the Iowa Condition of the State address on Jan. 10, Governor Reynolds proposed a significant overhaul of Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs). The proposal, and subsequent bill (House Study Bill 542) appear to stem from a lack of understanding of the intricate workings of a system that has proudly served the students and families of Iowa for half a century. Iowa’s AEAs have a strong track record of delivering essential educational support to schools and communities, especially those in rural areas grappling with unique challenges. The Iowa AEA system is the backbone of ...

Celebrating a centennial

In 1952, our family moved to Central Iowa. In 1953 Marshalltown celebrated its 100th year of being a community, so our LeGrand family helped celebrate. Fifty years later, my hometown, Hawarden, had their Centennial (1983). After decades of absence, memories were still vivid. It was good to see the community again. Hawarden’s first name was Calliope, in 1866. Steamboats would chug up the Missouri river, enter into the Big Sioux, then head for Sioux Falls. Along the way, the ship’s Calliope would belt out tunes. That’s how we became Calliope (Cal-e-ope.) Many towns across Iowa, went ...

Shame on Gov. Reynolds

How much hatred must Gov. Reynolds and the Republican legislators nave that they can willingly take food from the mouths of Iowa’s poorest children? If it’s not hatred, then it must be a political move that allows them to turn their backs on the most needy members of their constituency. Are they afraid that those children will rise up and vote against them in this year’s elections? There has to be some logical explanation for turning down millions of free money to feed these children. The only explanation that the governor and some legislators can give is that there are ...

Concerned about HSB 542

In Iowa, we have a new director of our Department of Education. Her name is Mackenzie Snow. Prior to coming to Iowa in June of 2023, she had worked for the Virginia Department of Education for fourteen months. The focus throughout Ms. Snow’s career was as a longtime advocate of state-funded private school scholarships. Snow has no classroom experience, and an undergrad degree in political science. It will be Ms. Snow’s new responsibility to oversee all of Iowa’s special education services and a massive transition, if HSB 542 is passed as is. This bill includes raising new ...

A conscious effort

Congratulations to South Korea for finally joining Western civilization in banning dog meat trade. When will we be taking the next civilized step of banning all animal meat trade? Whatever makes dogs more deserving of life and liberty than cows and pigs? But there is more. According to the United Nations, meat and dairy use 83 percent of global farmland and account for 60 percent of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions? Last, but not least, the current Netflix hit series “You Are What You Eat” should convince any doubters that getting more civilized is actually good for our ...

A brief response to Gov. Reynolds

A brief response to Gov. Reynolds’ State of the State address. It was delivered in her predictable style with arguments for policy change that leave me scratching my head. Her words, “In the face of intense pressure to keep the status quo, we passed one of the boldest school choice programs in the country, kicking off a national revolution”. Why is she praising the passing of a bill which she admits was not popular and faced majority public opposition? Why do we need to start a “national revolution?” Shouldn’t our focus be here at home and what is good for us? AEAs are ...