1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

This bill granting private school students mandatory access to participate in public school sports programs would place an undue burden on public school districts. While proponents argue it provides opportunities for students in small towns, the costs and logistical challenges of accommodating additional student-athletes outweigh the purported benefits. Public schools should not be obligated to allocate resources to serve private institutions that receive public funding through education savings accounts yet operate outside the public system's oversight. The bill undermines the distinction between public and private education, forcing public schools to subsidize private education further. I urge you to reject this encroachment on public school autonomy and vote against HF 189 to protect public education's integrity and prevent unnecessary strain on already-constrained school budgets and staffing.