Students, teachers, administrators, parents, and members of the Davenport school board are in Des Moines today for their annual lobby day.
The board recently gave its support to superintendent Art Tate, who wants to spend more money next year than the state funding formula allows.
Despite having millions of dollars in reserve funds, the Davenport district is forced to spend much less per student than nearby districts.
School board president Ralph Johanson says they have a very specific goal in mind at the lobby day. “What we really need is a fundamental change to the funding formula,” Johanson says. “We’re looking for some legislators who have the fortitude to do what’s right and to make some of those changes, even if it takes a long time.”
As they did last year, students from Davenport will wear t-shirts saying, “I’m Worth Less,” when they meet with the governor and legislators.
(Thanks to Herb Trix, WVIK, Rock Island)