Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Governor Highlights Education in Western Iowa
Governor Touts Largest Increase in Teacher Pay in State History
(DES MOINES) – Governor Chet Culver will travel today to Western Iowa to promote his 2008 Fiscal Year Budget Report. Today, at school events in Council Bluffs, Sioux City and Mason City, the Governor will focus on improving Iowan’s quality of life through education and teacher pay.
Yesterday, Governor Culver proposed to the Legislature a $70 million increase in teacher pay – the largest teacher pay increase in our state’s history. “This unprecedented investment in teacher pay will allow us to recruit and retain the best teachers, close the gap in teacher pay between urban and rural school districts, ensure quality teaching, and most importantly, show our classroom teachers the respect they deserve for the important work they do every day,” said Governor Culver.
This increase in teacher pay is the first request for funding aimed at bringing Iowa teacher pay to 25th in the nation.
He also proposed investing nearly $190 million in new funding for education as part of a comprehensive pre-k to post-secondary education plan. This includes a $20 million commitment to early childhood education. Governor Culver said, “Ninety percent of brain development occurs from birth through age 6. We can’t afford not to invest in our kids.”
Governor Culver’s itinerary for Wednesday, January 31, 2007:
9:00am Governor Culver Visit to Council Bluffs
Lewis and Clark Elementary School
1603 Grand Avenue
Council Bluffs IA 51503
12:30pm Governor Culver visit to Sioux City
Irving Elementary School
901 Floyd Blvd.
Sioux City, IA
3:15pm Governor Culver Visit to Mason City
Roosevelt Middle School
Commons Area
1625 S. Pennsylvania Ave.
Mason City, IA 50401-6049