The Iowa House has passed a bill that would have state officials routinely review the operations of private boarding schools — like the now-closed Midwest Academy in southeast Iowa. Representative Bobby Kaufmann (COUGH-man), a Republican from Wilton, says the bill’s a step forward.
Critics say the bill allows private boarding schools run by religious organizations to “escape” review by the Iowa Department of Education. Representative Art Staed (like the word “stayed”), a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, voted against the bill.
Kaufmann says boarding schools run by religious institutions will still have to be held to fire, safety and child welfare standards, just not state education standards.
The bill now goes to the Senate, which has previously voted on legislation to establish state oversight of private boarding schools.
