Dear Governor Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and Davenport Community Legislators:

 SUBJECT: Petition Supporting the Action of Superintendent Tate to Assure that Our Students are Not Valued Less than Other Iowa Students

We the people of  Davenport and surrounding communities wish to express our support for Davenport Community School District Superintendent Art Tate and our local school board members. We elected these board members to stand up for the interests of our students and that is exactly what they have done in demanding that our children are treated equally as others across the state.

We are conscientious citizens who do not condone breaking the law, however, when the legislature refuses to recognize the failure of the 40 year old education funding formula to treat our students fairly, drastic actions are called for.

We request you take action immediately to recognize that Dr. Tate is doing the right thing by using the District’s Reserve Funds to allow him to expend the same amount of funding for our students as those districts across the state that are funded at the highest level. If our students don't deserve the same level of funding please explain why.

Our legislators have all stated that education is their first priority. As constituents all we ask is that you recognize the simple moral principle of equality.

Thank you for supporting Dr. Tate, our students and our faith in democracy.