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All means all: Supporting students with disabilities at MCSD

Columnists

If you visit one of our schools in Marshalltown, you will likely see students participating in unique learning activities. This may include baking for the Bobcat Cafe, learning phonics at one of our elementaries, or tackling complex problems for a business partner through our 3DE program. You’ll also see that the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) is at the cutting edge of exciting changes in special education that challenge the view that students with disabilities are less capable than their peers. This view dominated special education for many decades, but current ...

Iowa does not need 4-year community college degrees

Columnists

I love Iowa. After growing up in Ottumwa and graduating from Indianola’s Simpson College, I worked in South Dakota at the start of my career. I enjoyed my years in the Mount Rushmore State, but their higher education system pales in comparison to Iowa’s, and the same is true of other ...

District 53 Newsletter from Rep. Dean Fisher

Columnists

This week, Iowa House Republicans released House Study Bill 596, our property tax proposal to put the taxpayers first. This plan is not about protecting the status quo for taxing entities; it is about creating predictability and protecting the bank accounts of hardworking Iowans. For too long the property tax system has put certainty for government budgets over the certainty of family budgets, and with this proposal, Republicans are flipping that script. The primary component of the bill is a capping of revenue growth at 2% plus new construction, ensuring that cities and counties are ...

It’s ‘Common Sense’ — An informed citizenry guides my work

Columnists

Many historical milestones will dot the calendar this year as Americans look to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence on July the Fourth. Just after the turn of the new year in 1776, a 47-page pamphlet titled “Common Sense” helped change the course of human history. The author, Thomas Paine, set foot in America just over a year before its publication. His straight talk hit the nail on the head, describing the kings of England as “plunderers” of individual freedom, imploring his fellow colonists to stop dilly-dallying around and revolt against the ...

Backing it up

Your View

I read with more than passing interest that the City Council had further discussions on expanding the ever popular “back in” parking in other parts of town. Fortunately, it seemed to gain minimal traction for expansion. I want you to know that I am all in favor of trying new things that improve driving experience and convenience. I lived in a city where “round-a-bouts” were introduced with some fair amount of angst, but it worked out okay in the end. But “back in” parking runs totally against the grain of firmly entrenched driving habits. Pretty sure that’s why most ...

Sweeney-Rastetter conflicts of interest

Your View

Senator A Sweeney was one of the twenty two senators that voted against landowner protections from eminent domain abuse with her NO vote on HF639 on 12 May 2025. She calls herself a friend of agriculture and yet could NOT lift a finger to protect landowners. No favorable legislation has moved out the Iowa Senate, in the four years preceding that vote, from any of the dissenters of HF639. I have attended her townhall meetings and have raised concerns. I have asked her at a recent meeting in Poweshiek County this past fall, if she has ever received, either directly or indirectly ...