The annual meeting of the Iowa Farm Bureau continues through tomorrow in Des Moines. Today (Wednesday), State Education Department Director Judy Jeffrey spoke about rural schools and education.

Eastern Iowa dairy farmer Craig Lang, who’s president of the Farm Bureau, says that included the prospect of closing small schools with dwindling student bodies. He says equity in education affects all Iowans, and he thinks it can be offered by schools everywhere though it’ll be done differently than in the past, and “You know how hard change is.”

Lang says a lot of rural residents resist the suggestion that their local school may have to close. He says the school may not have to close, but might have to be run differently, saying the colleges, universities and community colleges across Iowa may be able to help local schools ensure that every student educated at a school in
Iowa is prepared to go on to college, no matter where they live — whether that’s West Des Moines, Linn-Marr in Cedar Rapids, Keokuk, Rock Falls, or Rock Rapids.

The education head spoke this afternoon after the Farm Bureau awards banquet. Tomorrow district nominating caucuses, resolutions and a board of directors meeting will wrap up the annual meeting.