Decorah school district officials and state legislators from this area seem to agree on many educational issues

Rick Varney, Dale Crozier (Supt. MFL-MarMac/Eastern Allamakee), Rep. Mike Bergan, Tim Dugger (Supt. North Winneshiek and Postville), Mike Haluska

Decorah School Superintendent Mike Haluska and Elementary Principal Rick Varney have returned from a trip to the State Capitol in Des Moines to rally support for public education and Iowa's AEAs (Area Education Agencies). 

Among the topics discussed were support for the professional development opportunities provided by Iowa's AEAs, the debate on Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs, or vouchers for private schools and home school students), extension of the SAVE program (sales and services tax for school infrastructure), and equity for transportation costs and pupil funding.

Both Haluska and Varney praised State Representatives Michael Bergan and Kristi Hager and State Senator Mike Breitbach for their positive support of Decorah's position on each of the legislative matters discussed.  All three legislators representating Decorah expressed their opposition to ESAs, as well as their support for the SAVE extension, which would extend the state penny for school infrastructure until 2049. 

Said Haluska, "I can't remember feeling any better about a trip to the Capitol. I'm very thankful for the support of our elected officials on these issues of such importance to us."

School officials with Kristi Hager