Ames residents deliver 590-signature petition urging state funding boost, phaseout of private-school vouchers

A group of Ames residents presented a 590-signature petition to the Ames Community School District Board of Education on Monday asking the board to urge the governor and state legislature to increase school funding and roll back publicly funded private-school voucher programs.

The petition, assembled by Public Schools Strong and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, asks the governor and legislature to “fully fund public schools by an annual 5% increase of state supplemental aid adjusted for inflation, restore the income cap pre-ESAs, phase out the ESA voucher program over 5 years, and use public funds for public schools only,” a petition presenter said.

Why it matters: Petitioners said the state’s funding shortfall has reduced services and materials in public schools and that ESAs divert taxpayer dollars to private providers without the same transparency and accountability public schools face.

Speakers at the board’s public forum urged the board to adopt a formal resolution supporting the petition and to press statewide policymakers to act. Bruce Anton, a retired Ames teacher and petition organizer, told the board the group is “organizing for fully funded public schools that teach the full truth of our history, uphold the dignity of individuals of all races and backgrounds, and have the resources to unlock the full potential of all students.”

Judy Lemish, who identified herself as a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, argued for transparency and accountability: “Public money is for the public good, like roads, bridges, public safety, schools, and libraries. It must benefit all.”

Susie Petra, a retired Ames educator and Public Schools Strong leader, said the petition is the start of a broader effort: “These signatures are the voice of the people of Iowa. We value our public schools.” Petra also said state Sen. Herman Quirmbach had offered to sponsor a citizen bill.

Local analysis: Herman Quirmbach (identified at the meeting) presented data showing the state cost per pupil has fallen behind inflation, saying “the gap has started small, but, accelerated the last, 4 or 5 years. It's now a thousand dollars per student.” Several speakers compared the cost of vouchers with that shortfall in funding for public-school services.

Several speakers, including retired CPA Sue Ravencroft, framed the ESA discussion as a matter of democratic accountability: “Accountability is taxation with representation. Private school vouchers represent taxation without representation,” she told the board.

Board response and next steps: Board members said they appreciate the petition and public engagement. Directors noted the board already lists state supplemental aid and private school choice among its legislative priorities shared with the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) and the Urban Education Network (UEN). The board discussed directing those priorities through IASB and UEN rather than approving an immediate local resolution, a strategy some members said preserves lobbying strength through collective channels.

No formal resolution adopting the petition’s language was passed at the meeting. Board members asked staff and directors who serve as legislative liaisons to present the petition and its signatures to IASB and area legislative contacts and suggested petitioners contact state legislators directly as constituents.

Evidence from the meeting: Petition presenters said they had gathered 590 local signatures and described plans to follow the petition with a citizen-sponsored bill at the state legislature. Board members acknowledged receipt of the petition and discussed next steps through existing lobbying channels.

Looking ahead: The board will ratify its legislative priorities at the IASB delegate assembly in November; board members said they expect the petition and the concerns it raises about state supplemental aid and ESAs to be raised there and through direct communication with state legislators.