Bradley and Koelker ‘skip’ Jones Co. AEA forum

To the Editor,

   Steve Bradley and Carrie Koelker have again ghosted the voters of Jones County!

   They “skipped” the AEA forum held Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Anamosa library, which discussed one of the most critical issues for rural schools in this legislative session.

   If in attendance, they would’ve heard from AEA Administrator Maria Cashman (a Jones County girl!) about all the concerns surrounding closures of AEAs and its impact on rural schools.

   The attack on AEAs is Gov. Kim Reynolds’ doing. Again, she spent significant money on using Guidehouse as a consulting firm to draft a report of unfounded concerns. It would’ve made too much sense to have a roundtable meeting with AEA administrator, Iowa superintendents, and officials from the Iowa Department of Education. As Superintendent Darren Hanna of Anamosa said on Saturday, “The complaints didn’t originate in our schools. We’re very happy with the services we’re getting…”

   The governor continues her “double talk” in saying school districts won’t lose services. They can now spend their own money on getting their own specialists. Do you think Dr. Jaeger and the Monticello School Board can afford to hire a full-time autism specialist? A full-time school psychologist? A full-time PT, OT, speech pathologist, ESL coordinator, IT director, behavior specialist, counseling services, special education consultant, media director, and purchase all the curriculum/library materials housed at the AEA? No!

   You noticed the governor’s first argument against the AEAs had to do with administrative salaries. She since dropped that lie as her “figures” were outed. Now she’s focusing on our “poor test scores” of special education students. Again, the double-talk. If you refer to the NEAP as a testing source, you will see how differently states test students, which students they assess, and how they interpret results.

   Our governor has been attacking public schools for over two years. First with our teachers, then vouchers, now AEAs. This continues her journey to privatize ALL things related to public money. She wants to CONTROL and move educational services to Des Moines to be under her rule. She does not govern with data, statistics, or collaboration. She governs with a sledgehammer and vengeance.

   So, why would Steve Bradley and Carrie Koelker not attend this forum? Someone might ask Carrie why she voted in favor of closing AEAs in the Iowa Senate? Or ask Steve why he voted “no” in the first subcommittee? Will he continue to vote no? Something to do with his re-election bid in 2024? Carrie’s term expires in 2026.

   We will all be watching…we won’t “skip” this vote outcome.

Mary Melchert

Monticello, Iowa