Legislative Action on School Choice

Dear Parishioners:

Our faith-family makes use of both the public and Holy Family Catholic school systems. Each has their strengths and it is in the best interests of our families that both remain strong.  

The 2021 State Education Reform bill has elements in it that will be beneficial to both. It also has aspects that may strike you as problematic. But I believe it provides support critically needed for our parish school system. 

I ask you to consider the message below from the Iowa Catholic Conference, and call our legislators to indicate your support. The phone number for the Iowa Senate Switchboard is 515-281-3371.

Respectfully in Christ,
Fr. Tom

From the Iowa Catholic Conference:

Now’s the time to contact your Senator in support of parental choice in education.

Among the provisions in the legislation:

• “Students First” scholarships (similar to Education Savings Accounts) that parents of students who attend a public school classified as “in need of comprehensive support” could receive a scholarship to transfer their child to a nonpublic school if they chose to do so.

• An increase in the tuition and textbook tax credit. The tax credit is available to both public and nonpublic school families. Most private school families would see an increase from $250 currently to $1,000 per child.

• Tax credit for certain expenses for teachers

• Establishment of charter schools

• Makes it easier for parents to transfer their public school students to a different public school district

It is important to look at this bill first from the perspective of parents and students, not institutions. We appreciate the governor’s Students First scholarship proposal as a starting point to help some families choose the educational option that best fits their student’s unique needs.

We encourage you to contact your Senator in support of a scholarship program that would be accessible to as many parents as possible.

Thank you for your help!

“Consequently, the public power, which has the obligation to protect and defend the rights of citizens, must see to it, in its concern for distributive justice, that public subsidies are paid out in such a way that parents are truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for their children.”

Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis), Pope Paul VI