Iowa

Iowa AEA administrators explain changes before overhaul takes effect

Published

1 year ago

May 9, 2024

Iowa AEA administrators explain changes before overhaul takes effect

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Iowa’s Area Education Agencies are racing to make changes before reforms passed by the legislature take effect on July 1.

Nothing will change with special education funding this year since AEAs will get to keep 100% of funds, but significant changes are coming with media services and education services this fall.

This upcoming school year will be a transition year for AEAs. In addition to special education, they provide resources like education services, such as literacy and math coaches, and media services to help with IT and technology. Beginning in July, districts will only be required to send 40% of their funds to AEAs for it.

Cindy Yelick is the chief administrator of the Heartland AEA in Central Iowa. Yelick says staff are leaving due to the overhaul. Heartland won’t fill roughly 50 open positions, which means parents may experience less flexibility with services. However, she says they’re working to preserve as much frontline staff as possible and parents shouldn’t be worried.

Dan Cox is the chief administrator with the Northwest AEA. He says about 10% of their staff, or roughly 30 employees are leaving. Cox says the departures have been spread across the AEA so impacts won’t be too severe. Cox too says there will be some noticeable changes to services. For example, That means parents may have access to six literacy coaches rather than eight.

Gov. Kim Reynolds’ office maintains employees who leave are doing so for personal reasons and not due to the legislation.

Both AEA chiefs say making changes has been incredibly difficult.

“There’s grieving because people have really invested in that equity of services across the state for years and thinking about how you now move into a different model so there’s some sadness. I would also say that there’s part of it that is a challenge that is invigorating to people,” Yelick said.

“It’s just the unknown and then the volume of support from the public that said ‘hey, no, stop, slow this down’ and then to have that just kind of you know brushed aside and changes made anyway was really tough to take for a lot of our staff too so they’ve been through the emotional grinder,” Cox said.

Cox says parents should continue to ask teachers and their school superintendents about how changes to services will look at their school.

Both administrators say next year will be even tougher. That’s when school districts won’t be required to use AEAs for those media and education services if they don’t want to.

Source link

Click to comment

Iowa

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’

Published

5 hours ago

June 28, 2025

Press Room

Iowa’s Payton Sandfort reacts to joining Oklahoma City Thunder: ‘First-class organization’

Undrafted Iowa Hawkeyes basketball player Payton Sandfort has signed with the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
Sandfort visited the Thunder during the NBA Finals and was impressed by the organization and arena atmosphere.
Recovering from multiple injuries, Sandfort will focus on rehabilitation and is expected to return to play by November.
The Thunder value Sandfort’s shooting ability, team-oriented mindset, and overall potential for development.

IOWA CITY — During the pre-Draft process, Payton Sandfort got an intimate view of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the franchise that he would later land with. Sandfort took a trip to Oklahoma, where he met with staff, toured the Thunder’s facilities and attended Game 5 of the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City’s Jalen Williams exploded for 40 points in the win, giving the Thunder a 3-2 advantage in the series.

“It was just an unreal environment,” Sandfort said. “Like the loudest arena I’ve ever been in.”

After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Sandfort has agreed to sign with the Thunder. The former Iowa basketball standout will start his professional career with the franchise that just won an NBA title.

“There were a lot of teams that showed interest, but they showed by far the most interest the whole time,” Sandfort said of the Thunder.

It was more than just the Game 5 environment that resonated with Sandfort during his pre-Draft visit with the organization.

“I think just the people,” Sandfort said of what stood out. “They’re just so organized and all the people are super involved and super invested. They really talk about making you a better player but also just a much better person and they have all sorts of different development programs for players and for people. So it really stood out as just a first-class organization.”

A product of Waukee, Iowa, Sandfort had an accomplished career at the University of Iowa, scoring 1,619 points combined across four seasons with the Hawkeyes. Sandfort was a prolific 3-point shooter in his time at Iowa, making 271 shots from long range and connecting on 35.7% of his attempts.

Sandfort’s senior season was riddled with challenges. He played through a fractured wrist and torn labrums in each of his shoulders. After the season, Sandfort underwent two surgeries to repair those torn labrums — with the procedures being staggered so he could have at least one arm somewhat functional at all times.

Sandfort will be a part of Oklahoma City’s NBA Summer League team, but he will not play as he continues to recover. He is expected to start form-shooting soon and is on pace to return to game action in November or possibly October.

“The first thing for me is just getting healthy,” Sandfort said. “I really haven’t played healthy in like a year and a half — since before I went into the (pre-Draft) process last year. So just getting healthy and then from there just taking it one day at a time and trying to become the best player and person that I can, which is something that Oklahoma City always emphasizes. They’ve got a ton of resources to do it. And then just trying to find my way and grinding it out and letting God take over and see what happens.”

Oklahoma City’s rise has been lauded in the NBA world. Over the last five campaigns, the Thunder’s regular-season wins total rose from 22 to 24 to 40 to 57 to 68. The franchise is home to some bright young stars, including reigning league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

“I think they’ve just proven that they can really develop guys,” Sandfort said. “They’ve taken a ton of guys that were kind of under the radar through college or even their early pro careers and just have developed them, have like a specific plan for everybody. A lot of guys, regardless of what happens, they get a ton better while they’re there. So I’m super pumped about that. They’re just so organized and planned and have proven their success.”

Sandfort still has a long road ahead to get back to full strength and then prove worthy of being a long-term asset to the organization. But he has tools that can make him a valuable partner with the Thunder.

“I think they really like me as a culture fit, which is what they always look for first, especially with the talent they have,” Sandfort said. “They don’t want anyone to come in and disrupt that. They want guys who want to be good teammates, want to do everything they can to help the team win, which is obviously a big deal. And then playing-wise, just the shooting, becoming the best player that I can. And just the heart. They really loved that part of it.”

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com

Source link

Iowa

Speaker Pat Grassley to seek reelection to Iowa House in 2026, foregoing run for governor

Published

21 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Press Room

Speaker Pat Grassley to seek reelection to Iowa House in 2026, foregoing run for governor

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley announced he will seek reelection to his House seat, forgoing a run for governor in 2026.
Grassley has served as House speaker since 2020 and represents District 57 in northeastern Iowa.
Grassley cited his commitment to his constituents, family and farming as reasons for seeking reelection to the House.

Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley has announced he will seek reelection to his House seat in 2026, taking himself out of the wide-open governor’s race.

Grassley, a Republican from New Hartford, had been considering running for governor since Gov. Kim Reynolds in April said she would not seek a third full term in office.

Instead, Grassley announced in a newsletter Friday, June 27, that he will run again for House District 57 in northeastern Iowa, which includes Butler County and part of Bremer County.

“When I reflect on my time serving our area since 2007, I have so much gratitude for the trust you’ve placed in me as your representative in the Iowa House,” Grassley said. “It’s an honor to work on your behalf, and today, I’m excited to announce that I will be seeking reelection to House District 57 in the 2026 election.”

Grassley was first elected to the Iowa House in 2006 and has served as House speaker since 2020. He is the grandson of longtime U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.

Under his tenure, House Republicans have expanded their majority from 53 seats to 67 — their first supermajority in more than 50 years.

“My commitment remains rooted in the three roles that define me: serving as your voice in the Iowa House, being a dedicated father to my children and working the land as a farmer,” Grassley said.

Grassley has led House Republicans to pass GOP priorities such as tax cuts, private school education savings accounts and abortion restrictions.

Ahead of the 2025 legislative session, he created a new House Higher Education Committee, which advanced several bills aimed at further dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion efforts from the state’s public universities and community colleges.

“Over the years, we’ve achieved significant wins for Iowa — lowering taxes, strengthening our schools, passing common-sense protections for children and supporting our rural communities,” Grassley said. “But there’s still more to do. I believe I can best serve our district by continuing to represent you in the Statehouse, fighting for the values and priorities that make our communities strong.”

The GOP primary field continues to take shape.

State Rep. Eddie Andrews and former state lawmaker Brad Sherman have launched campaigns. Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra has formed an exploratory committee and aired TV ads as he moves aggressively toward a formal run. Sen. Mike Bousselot also has created an exploratory committee.

Attorney General Brenna Bird also is considering the possibility.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @marissajpayne.

Source link

Iowa

Wayne takes over as new No. 1 in 1A Iowa high school softball

Published

2 days ago

June 26, 2025

Press Room

Wayne takes over as new No. 1 in 1A Iowa high school softball

Class 1A features a new No. 1 in the latest Iowa high school softball rankings.

Wayne moved one spot ahead of Clarksville for the top spot in the class, as the other four top-ranked teams all remained the same.

Waukee Northwest in 5A, Cedar Rapids Xavier in 4A, Dubuque Wahlert in 3A and Van Meter in 2A are all No. 1s. Five newcomers joined the rankings including Beckman Catholic, who went from unranked to No. 7 in 2A.

Here are the latest Iowa High School Girls Athletic Union softball rankings for the week:

IOWA GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC UNION SOFTBALL RANKINGS

Class 5A

1. Waukee Northwest; 2. Linn-Mar; 3. Ankeny Centennial; 4. West Des Moines Valley; 5. Johnston; 6. Southeast Polk; 7. Pleasant Valley; 8. Cedar Falls; 9. Iowa City High; 10. Muscatine; 11. Ames; 12. Cedar Rapids Prairie; 13. Waukee; 14. Cedar Rapids Kennedy; 15. Des Moines Roosevelt.

Class 4A

1. Cedar Rapids Xavier; 2. Dallas Center-Grimes; 3. Norwalk; 4. ADM; 5. Carlisle; 6. Clear Creek-Amana; 7. North Polk; 8. Fort Dodge; 9. Western Dubuque; 10. North Scott; 11. Winterset; 12. Grinnell; 13. Creston; 14. Sergeant Bluff-Luton; 15. Bondurant-Farrar.

Class 3A

1. Dubuque Wahlert; 2. Williamsburg; 3. Mount Vernon; 4. PCM; 5. Davenport Assumption; 6. Estherville-Lincoln Central; 7. West Liberty; 8. Albia; 9. Washington; 10. Missouri Valley; 11. West Delaware; 12. Atlantic; 13. Clarinda; 14. Chariton; 15. Center Point-Urbana.

Class 2A

1. Van Meter; 2. Louisa-Muscatine; 3. West Lyon; 4. Osage; 5. Durant; 6. Treynor; 7. Beckman Catholic; 8. West Fork; 9. Lisbon; 10. Cascade; 11. Central Springs; 12. Hinton; 13. Jesup; 14. Wilton; 15. East Marshall.

Class 1A

1. Wayne; 2. Clarksville; 3. Newell-Fonda; 4. Southeast Warren; 5. Wapsie Valley; 6. Riverside; 7. St. Edmond; 8. Mason City Newman; 9. Edgewood-Colesburg; 10. Akron-Westfield; 11. Ankeny Christian; 12. Woodbine; 13. Murray; 14. Seymour; 15. Kee.

Source link