Implementing AEA Reform

During the last legislative session, the general assembly was mired in debate over the future of the AEA system in Iowa. Legislation was proposed that would forever alter the mission and scope of the system. Almost everyone in the education sector argued against this legislation, claiming the change stood to do real harm. Parents advocated as well, sharing personal stories about how the AEA had positively impacted their families. All of this was to no avail. The decision was made, it was now just a matter of getting it through both chambers and to the governor's desk. Once the inevitability of the plan was set in motion there was no stopping it. Calls to at least slow down and thoroughly study the issue were dismissed. Legislators who stood opposed quickly fell in line, and the speed at which a proposal became the law of the land was quite dizzying. 

It may surprise you to know that in my role as Superintendent of Schools, I don't have to make a lot of decisions. Most of the day to day decision making in a school is done by the teachers and administrators. It may also surprise you to know that those daily decisions range in the hundreds. Mine do not. But the decisions that typically are made in my office have far reaching consequences. When it comes to the budget, a financial mistake can be catastrophic. When it comes to tax policy, it can be economic. And when it comes to capital improvements, those decisions can be generational. Because there are fewer decisions and they have impact far beyond my tenure, none of them need to be made with haste or immediacy. I have the benefit of time to study, gather feedback, float ideas, and most importantly: think things through. It is important to consider the long range implications of that decision. For example, when principals advocate for adding FTE I remind them this isn't a $50,000 decision. It is a $500,000 or a $1,000,000 decision. By taking the time to gather the data, study the issue, and listen to constituents, it gives me the opportunity to see my blind spots and shape the decision. Taking ones time when making big decisions leads to better outcomes. What happens when we rush things? Well, I would point to the current status of the AEA system as 'Exhibit A'. 

Since that bill was enacted, as a state we've largely moved on to the next thing. What's done is done, there is a new issue that needs to be addressed-advocated for; advocated against. Except for one thing. The education sector hasn't really moved on. The work of implementing this massive piece of legislation is ongoing. So how is it going? Well, it's going exactly like we thought it would: not great. 

Part of the beauty of the AEA system was the fact that school districts knew that working and partnering with the Agency was among the most cost effective ways of doing business and providing services to students. In other words, it was always cheaper to work with the AEA. From massive printing projects to repairing computer equipment; one couldn't beat the AEA. However, the legislation was explicit in the fact that fees for service needed to be 'market value'. Translation: more expensive. Now in fact, it makes sense to use Copyworks instead of the AEA for some projects. We could share positions with the AEA. Perhaps a school district needs an ELL teacher, but not a full-time ELL teacher. The collaborative network of the AEA could make that happen. Simply take the cost of that employee and divide it among the districts utilizing that service, and that was all there was to it. But now, if the AEA is involved, be sure to add in the operational fee. 

Right now, as we speak school districts all across Iowa are developing service delivery plans with their local AEA. We are trying to decide what services to contract, what professional development consultants should be employed, and whether or not to use Copyworks. Indeed it is very difficult to make some of these decisions; who knows whether or not we'll need a consultant for a 'problem of practice' that presents itself on March 4, 2026. Time of course is of the essence because the AEA has to submit their budgets by February 28th to the Department of Education. Without knowing for certainty what their staffing plan will be or supplemental state aid.

So what are districts doing? Well, they are opting out. It makes little fiscal sense to share a position with the Agency when they can avoid an operational fee by sharing directly with another school district. It makes little sense to commit the expense of a professional development consultant without knowing for certain it will need to be deployed. And if it is cheaper to get printing done a Copyworks, guess what?

It is both maddening and frustrating. But at the same time I have incredibly empathy for our colleagues all across the state who have worked in and for the AEA system. Most of us didn't ask for this, but here we are. I predict a year from now the statewide AEA system will be a shell of what it once was. And I predict the work that we once relied on the AEA to perform for us will now be done by the local LEA. It will be more work for those districts, and more expensive.