Chet Edwards

Here is an update on what's going on with the Iowa Democratic Party. Both newly elected Governor Chet Edwards and newly (and unexpectedly) elected Congressman Dave Loebsack are doing good things.

Culver proposes big bump for schools (Des Moines Register)

...The governor's proposal for more than $200 million in new spending for education programs would mean new college scholarships, more money for preschool programs, and higher salaries for teachers and college faculty...

One of Culver's priorities is to bring teacher pay from 40th in the nation to 25th. He said his proposed $70 million appropriation for salary increases in fiscal year 2008 would be the largest single increase in teacher pay ever made in the state...

Salaries for K-12 teachers in the 2007-08 school year would go up roughly $2,900 per teacher. "That's still about $5,000 below this year's national average," Schlapkohl said, "but it sure gets us closer..."

Highlights of Culver's plan for Iowa's schools:

PRESCHOOL: Place more certified teachers in the early childhood education classrooms and reduce waiting lists until all 4-year-olds have access to quality preschool. Proposed new spending: $20 million, with increases over four years.

TEACHER SALARIES: Boost teacher salaries to the national average. Proposed new spending: $70 million.

CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION: Improve the quality of classroom instruction. Proposed new spending: $95 million for the 2007-08 budget year, based on a 4 percent increase in per-pupil spending.