By Alisha Sena, Iowa City
Iowa’s education reputation has faded under a partisan attack. As State Auditor Rob Sand continues his 2026 gubernatorial run, he should adopt the Virginia model used by Governor Abigail Spanberger, who demanded university board resignations to prioritize stability over political theater.
Current strategy follows a two-pronged assault. First, the voucher expansion siphons millions from public classrooms into private pockets with little transparency. The Auditor’s office faced months of delays receiving basic fiscal data for this program.
Second, the partisan capture of the Iowa Board of Regents has turned universities into ideological stages. These members chill speech and drive away scholars by attacking diversity and creating a restrictive Intellectual Freedom Center. This experiment treats colleges as political tools rather than centers of inquiry.
Rob Sand can unify the defense of our schools. Under Iowa Code Section 262.4, a governor may begin the removal of unfit Regents. Iowa needs a leader to request these resignations and appoint representatives who reflect our communities. We must:
Reset the Regents: Demand resignations of partisan members to restore civic representation.
Restore Integrity: Reassess structures like the Intellectual Freedom Center and strengthen tenure to retain talent.
Audit Costs: Use the Auditor’s office to expose the fiscal damage of vouchers and ensure funds support public goals.
This reset can undo a decade of damage and help Iowa’s children thrive.
