STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR CULVER ON ISEA ENDORSEMENT
Posted on Friday, June 18 at 4:15pm
Govenor Culver was endorsed by the Iowa State Education Association today. Here's his statement:
"Lt. Governor Judge and I are very pleased by the Iowa State Education Association's recommendation today. Our Administration has always fought to keep our commitment to educators.
"Despite the tough times our economy has faced because of the national recession, we invested in Iowa's education system. That's why the budget I signed into law this year has an additional $400 million for K-12 schools than the budget that was in place when I took office.
"Under our Administration, we have expanded preschool to make sure every child in Iowa has access to preschool. This year, over 21,000 Iowa children will have the opportunity to receive a quality early childhood education. Terry Branstad wants to eliminate state funding for preschool, taking away an chance many of those children would have.
"I am particularly proud of our commitment to teachers. As a former teacher and coach, I know the challenges and opportunities presented to them each and every day. That's why I increased Iowa teachers pay to bring them back up to the national average.
"Under Branstad, teacher pay fell to 35th in the nation with Iowa's teachers making more than $5,000 less than the national average. He promised to raise their pay to the national average in his 1990 political campaign but he never did. Today, he promises to slash the Iowa budget by an additional 15%. Given that more than half of our state budget goes toward education, how can Terry Branstad put students first when he would surely cut education funding?
"The Culver/Judge Administration has always fought for educators and for students and the support today from the Iowa State Education Association shows they will stand with us and our campaign."
