001that survived the Great Depression and COVID. The reason stated by Boone schools for this these cuts was declining enrollment combined with continued decreases in state funding that don't even keep up with inflation. In fact, as I found out, the state senator from Boone had the gall to state the reason was that the school district was not good at budgeting. The other example is Cedar Rapid Schools with the 122.9 million dollars that need to be cut. Cuts to staff through attrition, salary freezes, reduction in purchases, and possible closing and consolidating of school buildings is their solution. The reason they give for their cuts is the increased competition for students between public, non-public and charter schools as birth rates and numbers of students declines and the continued decrease in per student funding. Um, as well, we can't
002keep ignoring the main problems here. First, the continued reduction in state per pupil funding. And second, these reduced funds now being shared between public and non-public schools. These private non-accountable discriminatory taxpayer funded schools are starving our public schools across. We the members of Iowa CCI public school strong group have been coming to these meetings for about a year now and Ames can be proud that our superintendent and school board knows how to budget and does a great job with the little that they get. We have also offered a proposal to help make this easier um in the form of a resolution. a resolution to increase at minimum the state per pupil funding to 5% and to reinstate the ESA income cap with the goal of phasing out taxpayer funded ESA program in 5 years. Schools
003large and small have passed this resolution including Albia, Belmont, Clemy, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Dora, Kakuk, South Tama, and Urbandale. The people of Ames deserve to know what is going on and how you are fighting for our public schools. The Ames community needs to have this information before we become like Boone and Cedar Rapids. Please, our group is truly here to help back you up. Thank you. >> You next, uh, Susie Petra. Susie Petra, 2011 Duff Avenue. Um, just had a new replacement, so I'm a little wobbly and I'm sure you've missed us. Um, as you know, um, I am a retired high school educator and, uh, here in Iowa, I have been involved with all of those here in Ames and around the state in public school strong. We are strong believers, passionate believers
004in public schooling for all children. We want public education to be fully funded and we want to gradually phase out vouchers which have skimmed off public dollars. As Judy and I and Bruce um mentioned last the last time we met when we delivered petitions and the resolution which by the way you still can reconsider and sign. Um we want to work with you and much as I said then does begin with you. At that particular meeting Mr. Verb Bum when speaking for the board said that he would like and I again quote to communicate through other channels and then do what we've done in the past and take action in other ways unquote. Well, Bruce, Judy, and I had suggested at that time that the board consider seriously writing an op ed piece once a
005month, which would be which would go a long way in informing our community through whatever forum you thought or forums you thought would be adequate. Each month's op-ed piece could explain one of the many ways in which siphoned public money for vouchers has impacted something here in our school district, be it elementary, middle school, or at the high school. And at that time, I said it could be a program, a teacher, um healthy food offerings, busing, um programs. There are so many things which you know about that the public does not. And the public by and large remains unaware of all of the impacts that cuts of fund loss of funding in has had on the education of our children K through 12. A number of us um at CCI, Bruce and I included met
006with your school board associations lobbyist. that one person's voice or help is going to be minimal in moving the legislature. You can have a far greater impact and help by informing our community of the impacts that I've mentioned. Community voices in turn would carry a much greater heft with the legislature if they were informed because we know from getting signatures they are passionate about public education and very supportive here in Ames. But you need their voices. You have to reach out to them. And as I said, Bruce, Judy, and I and all of those public school strong people that are working with CCI around the state are working diligently, but we ask you to be more proactive. Um, you know, it's taken two decades. >> That's your time. >> Okay. I thank you very much.
007>> Thank you. Uh, >> next is Bruce Anton. Hi, I'm Bruce Anton. I live at 1422 Stafford Avenue, Ames, Iowa. And I want to talk to you about two items that have been introduced in the legislature. Senate File 200820008 would make private schools utilizing vouchers to have the same transparency and reporting requirements as public schools. That's been introduced by Senator Mcccleintoch, a Republican from Albernet. It's been assigned to a subcommittee. Um, no meeting date has been scheduled. Um, the other bill is House File 2265 that would place cap on families who could utilize private school vouchers at 400% of the federal poverty poverty level. That's been introduced to the House Education Committee, but no subcommittee has been assigned. Um, Senator Cornba is working on a property tax public school funding proposal. Um, but that has
008not yet been assigned a number. Um, but if you it would it would address rolling back um the funding for the ESAs and using that to reduce the strain on property taxes. Uh you can get further information on that from a de mo register article from January 18th by Ra Bassu and I thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> We will close our public forum and move to our consent agenda. >> I move the board approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. Moved by Shields Cook, seconded by New Ward. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Nay. Passes 70. Um, and then our reports. Our student representative couldn't make it tonight. Are there any items from the board? >> Just wanted to mention that the one act plays were great and
009uh they got the all state the >> Awesome. Other items. I was actually planning to say I encourage you to uh contact your legislators about school funding uh including all the legislators who represent the Ames district, not just your own, as well as uh anybody that's on either education committee. So that's a great way for the community to to help advocate for the district as well. We will go ahead and move to our old business. We have some policies for action. I move the board approve the policies as presented. >> Second. >> All right. Any discussion? These the ones I think we discussed last time, but any other items? >> No changes from the last last time we disc. >> All right. Moved by Shields Cook, seconded by Ward. All in favor say I. I.
010>> Oppose. Nay. Passes 70. And I don't have any requests for the superintendent at the moment. Our board planning calendar. Our next regular meeting is February 23rd at 5:30. And at this time, we'll end our Zoom broadcast and move into our work session. And board remember um you can push the button on your mic, but take it over there with you.