I may have written a column last year with this same or a similar title. If I thought I needed to say this last year, this year I need to scream it from the mountaintops!

The majority party is gutting public education with its policies and its politics. Since the session started these bills have been introduced through the legislative process:

• School Vouchers to Private School

• Only 3 percent growth to Public Schools – the same as to the private schools

• Allowing anyone who has served as a public librarian to serve as a teacher librarian

• “Don’t say gay” in any instruction from K-3 or K-8 depending on the bill in progress

• “Outing” students who share confidential information with school counselors or teachers

• Not allowing any student to be called by a nickname other than what is on their birth certificate

• Not allowing students to complete surveys without their parental approval

• Lists of all materials used to teach students in each class in the district

• A list of books available to students in the classroom and/or school library posted online

• A detailed request for removal from the classroom or library by the parent.

I remember that last year I shared the methods that a parent could request that their student “opt out” of a book. I reiterate that again today. Look on your school district’s website and find the pathway and information about removal of instructional material.

Every district has this. You should not go directly to the school board with your request. You start with the teacher and principal of your school. Then you work your way through the system.

You can decide what is appropriate for your child, but you cannot decide what is appropriate for my child. That is a basic First Amendment Right – Freedom of Speech. I have the right to decide what is appropriate for my child/children, and you have the right to decide what is appropriate for your child/children.

That is what makes us a Democratic society rather than an Authoritarian society. We respect each other’s choices.

Please ask the Governor and the legislature to operate with our fundamental rights protected by our Iowa Constitution to prevail.

We can each decide what works for our family.

I am having a listening post at the Marshalltown Public Library from 2-3 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2023. The listening post is informal and open to the public.

——

Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown,

represents District 52 in the Iowa House.