Union letters to the editor

Stand up for public schools

The governor has proposed an education plan that is radical based on the proud educational history of our state, and an overreaction to recent controversies that are playing out on a national level. Her commercial (which is apparently quite well funded), urges Iowans to contact their legislators. I urge the same, but for the opposite reason.

Public schools are required to serve all students regardless of any physical, mental, or behavioral disability. Will private schools have the same requirement? If not, it should be a deal breaker (because they will be allowed to discriminate and be enticing to some parents based on that discrimination).

Public schools have superintendents who serve at the discretion of the school board and those board members serve at the discretion of the voters. Will private schools have the same governance and regulations including open meeting laws? If not, it should be a deal breaker (because there is a lack of transparency for their publicly funded institution).

There has been a concern about public schools “indoctrinating” students. Public school curriculum is available to the public and transparent. If public money goes to private schools, that public money will be paying to indoctrinate students into whatever the beliefs of that school are. That should be a deal breaker (because taxpayers should not be required to support a particular dogma, sectarian or otherwise).

Private schools are great, but they are not established for the purpose of serving ALL students. Public schools strive to teach and nurture all students regardless of race, socio-economic level, ability, or disability. I want to believe a substantial majority of Iowans still hold that belief. If you do, it’s not that hard to let your legislators know it.

Joe Carr

Fairfield

Lifelong Iowan and former special education teacher, principal, and school board member

Our work is not done

For a very long time – to mark the 1973 passing of the wrongfully decided Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade – I have written letters to the editor on or about January 22, lamenting the mind-boggling number of babies that have been killed by abortion because of that decision.

Praise God! On Friday, June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court finally reversed the ruling – stating that there is NO right to abortion in the Constitution. Praise God!

Though it seemed to me this should automatically outlaw abortion – what it did was send the decision back to the states. Each state would determine if they would protect and cherish the preborn babies.

So our work is not done. While some states have closed all their abortion-providing facilities, others are allowing babies to be killed up to the point of birth. Heartbreaking!

As we begin this new year, continue to pray that we become a nation that cherishes life, from womb to tomb. Pray that Iowa will become a state that protects our preborn brothers and sisters.

Just a side note, seems an unusually high number of young people have been dying unexpectedly. Maybe we’d better be cherishing and welcoming our preborn brothers and sisters! In 2020, 43 states recorded their lowest annual birth rates in at least 30 years. Not a good sign for the future of our country.

Karen Crossland,

Fairfield

President of Jefferson County Right to Life

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