Advancing the Vision: Legislative Advocacy
As we approach the 2025 legislative session, it’s crucial to spotlight the needs of our students and schools. At Ankeny Schools, we’re proud to serve a growing, dynamic community, and with your support, we aim to ensure every student receives the high-quality education they deserve. This year, our legislative priorities focus on three key areas: adequate and timely school funding, teacher recruitment and licensure, and literacy content support.
Adequate and Timely Supplemental State Aid (SSA)
A strong school funding system is essential for success. We’re advocating for state supplemental aid that meets or exceeds the inflation rate, currently 2.7%. Over the past decade, SSA increases have averaged 2.04%, while the costs associated with our largest employee group, including teachers and social workers, have grown by an average of 3.29%.
For Ankeny, funding that keeps pace with inflation helps us avoid reliance on property taxes. It also provides much-needed resources for fair and competitive staff salaries. By addressing these challenges, we can preserve the tax rate and ensure fiscal responsibility for our schools.
Teacher Recruitment and Licensure
Teachers are the heart of education. Research shows that high-quality teachers are the most important school-based factor in student learning. However, fewer college students are pursuing teaching careers, and attracting diverse, exceptional teaching talent is becoming increasingly difficult.
We’re calling for policies that incentivize enrollment in traditional and alternative licensure programs, expand licensure reciprocity across states, and provide innovative pathways to teaching, particularly in high-demand fields like career and technical education. These steps would help Ankeny recruit a more diverse and talented workforce, expand course offerings, and prepare students for future careers without compromising teacher quality.
Literacy Content Support
Reading is foundational to lifelong success. Research shows that achieving literacy by third grade significantly predicts future academic achievement. Ankeny Schools is implementing an updated K-8 literacy curriculum aligned with the Science of Reading, a research-based approach to literacy instruction this year.
We support state investments in professional development, assessment tools, decodable readers, and ongoing coaching to ensure all students meet our ambitious reading goals. This partnership with the state allows us to provide the best possible literacy instruction while respecting local control and community needs.
How You Can Help
Your voice matters in advocating for these priorities. We encourage you to reach out to your state legislators and share why public education funding and support matter to our community. The legislators whose boundaries overlap with Ankeny Schools boundaries are as follows:
- Representative Eddie Andrews
- Representative Bill Gustoff
- Representative Heather Matson
- Representative-elect Ryan Weldon
- Senator Mike Bousselot
- Senator-elect Mike Pike
Contact information for legislators can be found on the Iowa Legislature’s website here.
Together, we can make a difference for Ankeny’s students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we advocate for a stronger future for public education.