(Des Moines, IA) — The president of the Iowa State Education Association says teachers are being kicked, beaten, spit on, pushed into lockers – and they’re fed up. The state agency reports 650 students were expelled or removed from school due to fights that caused injuries last school year. The number of violent fights is up – way up. ISEA President Mike Beranek says several teachers have already said they plan to leave their jobs at the end of this year before their contracts are up. He says a legislative package is being put together to present to lawmakers next month. It would include funding for smaller class sizes and mental health resources. Beranek says there are currently 13 hundred jobs open in Iowa schools.
