2ND ANNUAL HOP ON THE BUS TRIP TO STATE CAPITAL DOUBLES IN SIZE – MORE THAN 60 STUDENTS, STAFF AND PARENTS TO VISIT LEGISLATORS

Two busloads of Davenport Community Schools supporters will head to the state capital in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 28, to take their case for change to Iowa legislators – sharing their personal stories about three key aspects of public education: quality preschool programming, adequate funding, and a quality classroom experience for all students. The bus will leave JB Young Intermediate at 7 a.m., then pick up another group at West High before heading to Des Moines. The buses will return later that evening.

Sponsored by the district, the Davenport Schools PTA Council, and the Board of Education’s Legislative Advocacy Committee, the trip is designed to provide a face-to-face opportunity to talk about concerns regarding public education in Davenport and throughout the state of Iowa. A number of high school students – most of them from American government classes – will combine a learning experience about state government with a hands-on chance to be part of the democratic process.

“We have a vision of strengthening academic achievement for all students,” explains Ralph Johanson, board member and one of the founding members of the Legislative Advocacy Committee. “Creating positive learning opportunities for our students, both now and in the future, is key to the successful growth of our state. We feel that a focus on early childhood learning, adequate funding for schools, and enhancing the classroom experience are the best ways to achieve this goal,” he explains.

According to Richard Clewell, also a board member and founding member of the committee, it is critically important for legislators to hear directly from those most affected by their decisions regarding education – students, parents and school staff. “We’re pleased to have so many students making this trip,” he says. “Their energy and personal stories are so compelling. It’s really their future we’re talking about. It’s great to have them meaningfully involved in this process.”

As mentioned earlier, the group will be promoting three key messages: quality and accessible preschool programming; adequate funding (primarily through allowable growth); and quality classroom experience – including such issues as technology and textbook funding, adequate teacher pay, continued support for smaller class sizes, and professional development.

Although most spaces on the two buses are already reserved, there is some room for other interested community members who would like to make the trip. Also, the media is welcome to accompany the group to Des Moines. They will be meeting in a group luncheon with several legislators at the capital and then meeting in smaller groups with individual legislators throughout the rest of the afternoon. Those interested in going (including media) should contact Linda Smith-Kortemeyer at 336-5087 so that lunch arrangements can be made. More information about the district’s legislative advocacy efforts are available on the district’s website at www.davenportschools.org/current issues.