Iowa State Education Association president John Hieronymus predicts Iowa’s K-through-12 schools are starting the new school year with about 500 fewer teachers. Hieronymus says last year there were 492 fewer teachers in K-through-12 schools compared to the year before, and he predicts a similar reduction in the teaching force this fall. Hieronymus says budget cuts are the biggest challenge facing Iowa schools. He says the legislature also cut any kind of professional development training funds for teachers. Hieronymus says parents should expect fewer teachers, larger classes and fewer support folks — like art and music teachers, media specialists, and guidance counselors.
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