Decorah Schools to join Rural School Advocates of Iowa

On Monday night the Decorah Community School Board voted to join the advocacy group, Rural School Advocates of Iowa. The group is a "membership organization with a mission to advocate for students in rural schools to assure a fair, equal and quality education," and has been in existence since 2014.

Superintendent Mike Haluska said the organization will be parallel to one that addresses and lobbies for the special needs of urban schools. Although the group advocates specifically for rural schools, it should be noted that large school districts, even ones with large urban enrollment, could be part of the organization since their districts may include large rural areas. The annual membership fee will be $450.

An example of their advocacy is work on transportation equity legislation that helps offset the tremendous costs of transportation that rural school districts incur.