Council Bluffs private school, public school district react to Iowa's new school voucher law
Leaders from Council Bluffs private and public schools differ on whether they think Iowa's newly signed school voucher law is good for students.
At Saint Albert Catholic Schools, President Anne Rohling is happy with the legislation.
"It's a great day for the state of Iowa. It's a wonderful day. Parents are finally empowered to send their children to wherever they choose," Rohling said.
Dr. Vickie Murillo, the Superintendent of Council Bluffs Community School District says there's still more to be learned about the future of public school funding.
"We're in uncharted waters right now. And the best thing we can do is stay optimistic about the outcome," Murillo said.
Rohling said if Saint Albert's sees increased enrollment, with those new tuition dollars, it'll go back to what she says is their main operating cost-paying teachers.
She says they'll consider raises.
"Well, we're looking to those. Right now, this is a perfect time because every year we evaluate what our tuition is, what our cost can be for the next year," she said.
The non-partisan Legislative Services Agency estimates that because of the bill, Iowa public schools will lose students leading to a 46 million dollar net loss in funding.
Murillo says that'll hurt the Council Bluffs budget.
"Oh, it will impact our school district. That's for sure. To what extent yet, I don't know. Again, it comes down to the details and how we'll be funded," she said.
With taxpayer dollars now going to private schools, Rohling says she doesn't expect Saint Albert's admissions process to change.
"No, we have admissions policies in place," she said. "We've had them for years."
Murillo says she doesn't think it's a fair use of taxpayer money.
"I do believe that public dollars should go for public schools," she said. "And I think that is a system that we've created and trusted and it's been tried and true."