The new legislative session is only one week old and once again, education seems to be the punching bag of Governor Reynolds.

In her Condition of the State Address, Governor Reynolds declared that we need to reorganize the Area Education Agencies (AEAs) and create a new Special Education division under the Department of Education. I must say that I have not been impressed with the assistance the Department of Education has given districts this past year in following the laws that were recently passed. Now we are expected to give them control over the special education services for our students.

The AEA is a tremendous resource for our students and educational staff. I recognize that teachers and staff have a multitude of challenges every day. I know this from being a retired educator and the parent of students who received services through the AEA. Every teacher and even every district cannot be an expert on all topics faced each day. The AEAs were formed to provide services and equity of services for all students in all districts.

The AEAs provide specialty services for students such as audiologists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, behavior specialists and more. They also provide professional development for teachers and educational staff that include mentoring, new strategies for classroom delivery methods, development of technology use, methods to meet standards in math, reading, social studies, STEM and other areas.

The Governor’s plan will allow school districts to opt out of using their local AEA, seek services of another AEA or entertain a private contractor for their special education services. Will there be coupon days for a certain service provided? Will we get a discount if more students are identified for these services? Will our rural schools be left behind because they don’t have enough bargaining chips?

I have no doubt that the organization and administration of the AEAs could be improved. But it seems to me that we are throwing out the baby with the bathwater. Instead of a huge reorganization bill, why don’t we put together a task force to look at the current systems and make them better. Why don’t we involve the AEA personnel, superintendents, service providers, educators and parents who use the AEA services along with the Department of Education to propose a better plan and bring it back to the Governor.

Instead, we have jobs posted at the Department of Education for those positions that will be lost with the reorganization. How do you think that makes an educator feel when they see their job advertised? The legislature only got the bill on Wednesday, yet it seems like a foregone conclusion that it will be passed. I feel the Governor has already made up her mind and many of the majority party legislators will follow along no matter what their constituents say. This has happened before with vouchers and it will most likely happen again.

I ask that you contact your local legislators and tell them your story if someone in your family has benefitted from the AEA services. You can contact legislators by going to legis.iowa.gov. Under the “Committee” heading you can find who serves on the education committee in the house and senate. You can also see the list of legislators for your area. We must preserve equitable services for all students and districts.

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Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown, represents District 52 in the Iowa House.