Preschool plan is going to Culver
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DES MOINES — A plan to expand access to preschool is heading to Gov. Chet Culver after the Senate gave final approval Wednesday.
The bill, passed 36-14, spends $15 million next year and ramps up over four years to $60 million, money that will be used to expand access to preschool and improve the quality of the schools.
“Quality preschool is the right start for our children,” said the bill’s floor manager, Sen. Staci Appel, D-Ackworth.
She said the main benefactors of the bill would be students from middle-income families, because lower-income families already qualify for subsidized preschool.
Republican opponents of the measure disagree with the method for delivering the money. The bill provides grants to public school districts, which would use the money to fund local public and private programs.
Sen. Nancy Boettger, R-Harlan, said this setup favors public schools and will cause students to abandon schools run by churches and businesses. “I think we may have fewer preschools out there,” she said.
Boettger would rather see the money handed out through the state’s 58 empowerment areas, which are local partnerships that help administer programs for children.
All of the “no” votes were from Republicans.
The preschool bill is one of many items this year that commit the state to spend money in future years. Budget watchdogs have raised concerns that the state won’t be able to afford all those commitments, especially if the economy slows.
Appel said she is confident that the preschool plan will get continued support over the years.
“I believe the Legislature has made a firm commitment,” she said.
Culver is expected to sign the bill.
Dan Gearino can be contacted at
(515) 243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net. Comment on this story at www.qctimes.com.
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