IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
For release: May 14, 2008
Contact: Lana Oppenheim Schlapkohl, 515-471-8026; LOppenheim@isea.org

Statement by ISEA President Linda Nelson

on Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645

We are deeply disappointed by Gov. Culver's veto of HF 2645. This legislation would have leveled the playing field for educators and other public employees at the bargaining table. It would have allowed us to negotiate over issues that impact student achievement like class size, preparation time, in-service, and a whole host of other topics that under the current law are deemed "permissive" and off-limits for discussion. While we appreciate the Governor's support for funding public schools and for making teacher salaries competitive, he missed a great opportunity to recognize educators as true professionals and full partners in educational decision making. We are committed to working with Gov. Culver Culver to craft a bill which accomplishes that objective.

Click here to watch a video of Gov. Culver's news conference.