Pictured (L-R): Rep. Holt of Denison, Rep. Best of Glidden, Sen. Schultz of Schleswig, and Moderator Rick Hunsaker
Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal to reform the state’s Area Education Agencies (AEA) does not have enough support in the Iowa House or Senate to move forward. Local legislators, including District 11 Representative Brian Best of Glidden, District 12 Representative Steven Holt of Denison, and District 6 Senator Jason Schultz of Schleswig, indicated during Saturday’s Carroll Chamber of Commerce Legislative Forum in Arcadia that Reynolds’ plan to shrink AEA services and refocus its mission on special education services lacked public support. Holt, who sits on the House Education Committee, explains where the bill stands.
Holt adds the details of the amendment are not yet available, but he says nearly all of the AEA’s services will be retained under the new proposal.
Holt says he and his colleagues have received thousands of emails from parents, teachers, and school administrators who are very pleased with their AEA. Holt says that only one AEA has been problematic.
Best and Schultz, who do not sit on their respective chamber’s education committees, had no other details about the upcoming amendment. Best did thank the many people who contacted him with their concerns.
Saturday’s forum was the first of the 2024 session. Three other forums are scheduled: Feb. 24 at the DMACC Carroll Campus, March 23 at New Hope in Carroll, and April 27 at the Glidden Public Library.
