Kris believes a quality public education is the foundation of a strong community and a fair shot for every child. Yet, while Iowa once led the nation, our schools have fallen to the middle of the pack and continue to slip. Today, only 52% of our elementary students are reading at grade level. We cannot accept this decline.

The core problem is clear: our commitment has wavered. Public funds are being diverted from our neighborhood schools, harming the education of the vast majority of Iowa's children. Kris will fight to refocus our priorities on the public good.

Kris's Plan: Putting Public Schools and Iowa Families First

Kris will champion a multi-pronged approach to restore Iowa's educational leadership and support working families.

1. Fully Invest in Our Public Schools: Kris will ensure our public schools have the resources they need: strong after-school programs, mental health counselors, nurses, and smaller class sizes. He will integrate student voices into decisions that affect their education and fully supports embedding the ISEA Bill of Teacher Rights in the state constitution.

2. End the Private School Voucher Drain: Kris will fight to end the voucher program that funnels public dollars to private, for-profit institutions. Public money should fund the public good—not schools that can discriminate and widen the gap between "the haves" and "the have-nots."

3. Expand Learning from Preschool Through Career: To build lifelong success, Kris will:

   • Invest in Early Childhood: Expand Iowa's successful preschool program to more children and families, providing the critical foundation all students deserve.

   • Guarantee Affordable Pathways: Ensure every Iowan has access to affordable community college and workforce training to build skills for high-demand careers.

   • Strengthen High School Opportunity: Expand career-based education in high schools, creating multiple pathways to success.

Great schools are a great tool to end Iowa's "brain drain," attract new families, and build an economy that works for everyone. Kris is committed to making the investments today that will ensure our children, and our state thrive tomorrow.