MARK ZIEMAN STATE SENATOR Eighth District Statehouse: (515) 281-3371 mark.zieman@legis.state.ia.us HOME ADDRESS 284 Luana Road Postville, Iowa 52162 Phone: H-(563)864-3104

The Senate State of Iowa Eightieth Second General Assembly STATEHOUSE Des Moines, Iowa 50319

COMMITTEES Education Judiciary State Government, Ranking Member Transportation Education Appropriations Subcommittee

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For Immediate Release Contact: Mark Zieman

Friday, February 23, 2007 (563) 539 2995

Zieman: We can’t forget Iowa’s K-12 students when we talk about teacher pay.

Des Moines – Senator Mark Zieman (R-Postville) spoke on the floor of the Iowa Senate this past week on the proposed teacher pay plan.

In Senator Zieman’s comments on the floor, he mentioned numerous times his concern that the teacher pay proposal adds too many unfunded mandates and is not focused on the educational needs of Iowa’s children.

“We know that teaching is an important and challenging profession, and believe our teachers deserve significant pay raises,” said Senator Zieman. “However, this proposal in addition to raising teacher pay also burdens school districts with at least three very expensive unfunded mandates.”

The bill as proposed would require school districts to employ teacher librarians, guidance counselors, and school nurses, but the bill does not provide any additional funding for these positions.

“My concern rests with the education we are providing for Iowa’s K-12 students,” said Zieman. “I believe this bill will result in schools being managed through state law and not given the latitude they need to provide the appropriate services to their students and communities.”

The teacher pay proposal may come up for debate on the Senate floor during this upcoming week.

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