Des Moines Sun

Iowa governor candidate Deirdre DeJear criticized new retention bonuses for teachers last week after they were announced by Gov. Kim Reynolds to help offset deficits in the childcare industry. 

Reynold's new child care task force had originally proposed the idea of retention bonuses in a report back in November 2021 in order to aid in the child care industry’s ongoing struggle to attract and retain workers amidst the pandemic. The task force proposed that the state should offer staff bonuses to incentivize educators, according to the report.

"I believe teachers are worth more than a $1000 bonus and a pat on the back," DeJear said in a tweet Jan. 22. "We have to restore collective bargaining. We must fully fund our education, including 30 hours/week of universal pre-k and childcare. Investing in our students must be a top priority. #UnityCoalition.

"Not only do we need to fully fund our education system, but we need to evolve our common core to make sure our students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow."

The new retention bonuses will be awarded by the Department of Human Services based on a series of factors including job commitment, training and improved quality ratings, according to the report. Currently, 23% of all Iowa residents live in a “child care desert,” which is characterized as an area with a shortage of licensed providers. In addition to the child care deficit, the average monthly cost for child care is about $1,031, often more expensive than housing for the average Iowa family.

"To help retain our educators — I’m announcing tonight that we’ll use federal (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to award a $1,000 retention bonus to teachers who stayed on the job through the pandemic and who will continue teaching next year.," Reynolds said during her Condition of the State address. "Your work is essential, and we want you to know it."

A small business owner, DeJear is currently a candidate running for governor of Iowa.