Decorah Board Joins Statewide Push for Higher Public School Funding, ESA Phaseout

You'll want to remember this moment. Help us record what's happening in Decorah. DECORAH — The Decorah Community School Board on Monday unanimously approved a resolution urging state leaders to boost public school funding and scale back Iowa's voucher program, becoming the fourth district in the state to take that step. The vote follows a petition from local residents who gathered 270 signatures asking the board to adopt the measure. The action aligns Decorah with a growing statewide effort led by Public School Strong, a project of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, which is pushing for a 5% increase to State Supplemental Aid in 2026 and a phaseout of Education Savings Accounts (ESA). Supporters of the resolution told the board the state's voucher program, which was created in 2023 and passed by Governor Kim Reynolds, shifts public money away from school districts already facing tight budgets. Residents backing the measure said the state's typical 2% funding increases have not kept pace with rising costs and staffing needs. Steve Peterson, a Decorah resident, former teacher and CCI member, said during the meeting that the board's vote sends a message that public dollars should stay in public schools, "Voting to support this resolution sends a strong message to our community and our legislators that private school vouchers undermine public education, leaving our school districts with gaping budget deficits," Peterson continued, "Iowa students deserve the best education we can give them." "Public money should go to public schools. Period. And it's incumbent upon us to fight to ensure that happens." The resolution comes amid continued debate over the purpose and impact of the ESA program. The Reynolds administration has defended the policy since its passage, saying families should have the freedom to choose the education setting that best fits their child. The governor has repeatedly argued that vouchers introduce competition that spurs improvement in both public and private schools, according to statements from the governor's office. Administration officials have also said the program helps lower- and middle-income parents access private school options historically limited to wealthier families. However, the Decorah board's resolution calls on Reynolds and state legislators to prioritize funding for public schools. It also calls for keeping income limits on voucher eligibility, phasing the program out over five years and directing state funding solely to public schools. The document cites several reasons for the action, including Iowa's long-term underfunding of public districts, the state's teacher shortage, and the lack of accountability and transparency requirements for private schools that accept vouchers. It also references the rising cost of the ESA program, which totaled $129 million in its first year and is projected to climb to $315 million by 2025–26. Decorah joins Albia, Belmond-Klemme and Bennett districts, which approved similar resolutions earlier this year. The Keokuk school board is scheduled to consider the issue on Dec. 15. Public School Strong organizers say more than 3,000 people statewide have signed petitions in support of the funding push after a series of public meetings. Get the inside scoop! Subscribe to the free DecorahNews.com newsletter and receive local news, expert analysis, and stories that matter most—straight to your inbox.