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Davenport students headed to Des Moines to fight for fair funding

Some Davenport students are headed to the state capital to take the fight over school funding into their own hands.

Some Davenport students are headed to the state capital to take the fight over school funding into their own hands.

On Monday, February 15, 2016, nearly 40 high school students will take buses to Des Moines, where they plan to lobby lawmakers for a change in the state's school funding formula. They're frustrated that the formula gives some districts, like Davenport, $175 less per student, and argue that difference has put them at a disadvantage.

"We want to really send a political message, saying we're not worth less. It's really simple, you know? We deserve a fair start," said Matt Gonzales, a student at Davenport Central.

As a high school junior, Gonzales knows a change in state law wouldn't have much impact on his educational career. He says he's fighting for his younger siblings.

"This isn't for me, so don't do it for me. Do it for my sister, my brother, and all the other kids out there that aren't getting a fair opportunity," said Gonzales.

The student-led movement began last year with just three Davenport high schoolers. Since then, the group has grown substantially, and members will be taking a petition with more than 1,000 signatures to Des Moines.

"Unfortunately, we didn't get the result we wanted last year, and so it's a new year and a new legislative forum, and we're kicking it up with more support from students and more support from the entire district," said junior Mickey Sloat.

The students say they plan to tell lawmakers about underfunded clubs and their textbooks that are falling apart. They hope to add a personal facet to the debates over supplemental state aid and formulas.

"I'm sure the legislature has heard the statistics, but we're there to be the faces to those statistics. We're there to show the emotions, the real effects of this funding inequality, and I hope that we are able to strike something emotionally with them," said senior Lorraine Pereira.

Davenport Superintendent Dr. Art Tate has said he plans to dip into the district's reserves to make up the funding difference for this year. Because this spending isn't authorized by the state, he could potentially lose his job or face misdemeanor charges.

Both the Davenport City Council and Board of Education have signed letters in support of funding reform and Dr. Tate's decision.

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