Public commenters press Ames board for clearer local impacts of ESA/voucher proposals

Several residents used the meeting’s public forum to urge the Ames Community School District board to be more vocal about state voucher and ESA proposals and to provide clear, local data on how such programs would affect district schools.

Judy Lemish, who identified herself as an unpaid volunteer with Public Schools Strong, told the board the group’s campaign aims to keep public money in public schools and to raise community awareness. "We are unpaid volunteers with Public Schools Strong… Our focus is multi-pronged," she said, and asked the board to publicly recognize petitioners and make local impact information available so residents can contact legislators.

Susie Petra said a proposed 2% state funding increase is insufficient given inflation and cited school closures and program cuts in other districts as evidence that higher funding is needed. "2% is not enough," Petra said, and urged the board to share more data so petitioners can effectively contact education committee members.

Bruce Anton, a former Ames Middle School teacher, said he had been unable to find the status of two bills he referenced—Senate File 2008 (transparency and reporting for ESA) and House File 2265 (income cap changes)—and asked whether the district could help residents find clear information about legislative status and likely local effects.

The board did not take immediate action on the requests during the meeting; the public forum concluded before the consent agenda and formal business.