Randy Richardson
@randy-richardson.bsky.social
Former teacher, ed tech consultant and retired union leader/staff reporting on all things education related. Currently working as an organizer for Iowans for Public Education.
Iowans are DONE with the Republican-controlled legislature shortchanging our public schools. While our students and teachers struggle, hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars are being diverted to private schools. Tell your Iowa lawmakers: It’s time to FULLY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
February 3, 2026 at 12:08 AM
Iowans are DONE with the Republican-controlled legislature shortchanging our public schools. While our students and teachers struggle, hundreds of millions of our taxpayer dollars are being diverted to private schools. Tell your Iowa lawmakers: It’s time to FULLY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS!
Iowans' incomes increased just over 20% over the past five decades but trailed the gains seen nationally, according to data from a new Urban Institute analysis. Iowa's growth ranks among the 10 lowest in the nation. #Iowa
January 28, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Iowans' incomes increased just over 20% over the past five decades but trailed the gains seen nationally, according to data from a new Urban Institute analysis. Iowa's growth ranks among the 10 lowest in the nation. #Iowa
Iowa senator offers a plan to lower property taxes by ending vouchers. #edusky
IA lawmaker's smart plan to lower property taxes and properly fund public schools: End vouchers
Vouchers to private schools have shorted once stellar public ones. Scrapping them would also enable continued funding for needed public services
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Iowa senator offers a plan to lower property taxes by ending vouchers. #edusky
Iowa has failed public schools. Just to offset inflation and unmet per pupil costs since fiscal year 2017 would have required 11.4% more in per-child funding for this fiscal year -- well over the 2.0% enacted. #edusky
January 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Iowa has failed public schools. Just to offset inflation and unmet per pupil costs since fiscal year 2017 would have required 11.4% more in per-child funding for this fiscal year -- well over the 2.0% enacted. #edusky
Senator Quirmbach’s research shows that in the nine years since Reynolds became governor, state funding for Iowa K-12 public schools has effectively declined by more than $526 million a year by not keeping up with inflation. #edusky
January 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
Senator Quirmbach’s research shows that in the nine years since Reynolds became governor, state funding for Iowa K-12 public schools has effectively declined by more than $526 million a year by not keeping up with inflation. #edusky
Reposted by Randy Richardson
In my latest newsletter, I interview MI Secretary of State @jocelynbenson.bsky.social on her campaign for governor.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
December 8, 2025 at 12:15 PM
In my latest newsletter, I interview MI Secretary of State @jocelynbenson.bsky.social on her campaign for governor.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
We covered JD Vance, why she’s been talking about public schools from the start, and building a democracy that works for people in their everyday lives.
Leaked DOJ memo shows AG Pam Bondi directing the FBI to create a list of Americans deemed potential “domestic extremists,” including those with “opposition to law and immigration enforcement,” “extreme views in favor of mass migration,” or “radical gender ideology." #Nixon Enemies List Redux
December 7, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Leaked DOJ memo shows AG Pam Bondi directing the FBI to create a list of Americans deemed potential “domestic extremists,” including those with “opposition to law and immigration enforcement,” “extreme views in favor of mass migration,” or “radical gender ideology." #Nixon Enemies List Redux
Thanks to every educator, parent & advocate fighting for inclusion this National Special Education Day!
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
December 3, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Thanks to every educator, parent & advocate fighting for inclusion this National Special Education Day!
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
50 years ago today, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was signed into law, but we must continue to push for adequate funding & resources! #eduaky
The way you prop up a currency is by going and buying a bunch of it. “When you buy something, or when you bid on something, the price tends to go up,” Setser said.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
Trump's plan to prop up Argentina's peso with U.S. tax dollars, explained
If it doesn’t work, the U.S. could be stuck with a bunch of pesos that aren’t worth very much.
www.marketplace.org
October 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The way you prop up a currency is by going and buying a bunch of it. “When you buy something, or when you bid on something, the price tends to go up,” Setser said.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
That’s what the U.S. has been doing — in a very unusual move, by the way. Just buying Argentine pesos.
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
It's time we called them on it
open.substack.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Iowa's ruling party is bluffing its way through a budget mess
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
open.substack.com/pub/edtibbet...
A new Guardian–Harris poll found that 75% of Americans say their household costs have risen by at least $100 a month despite Trump’s claims that inflation is “over,” with most blaming tariffs and government policies for continued price hikes
October 16, 2025 at 2:14 PM
A new Guardian–Harris poll found that 75% of Americans say their household costs have risen by at least $100 a month despite Trump’s claims that inflation is “over,” with most blaming tariffs and government policies for continued price hikes
We all value safety--but not military force unleashed in our streets. When the White House skews crime statistics to justify city takeovers, how does that keep us safe? We deserve proven protections, not political power plays. #TruthBrigade truthbrigade.indivisible.org/s/gcWmvehj
Know your rights!
truthbrigade.indivisible.org
October 10, 2025 at 9:21 PM
We all value safety--but not military force unleashed in our streets. When the White House skews crime statistics to justify city takeovers, how does that keep us safe? We deserve proven protections, not political power plays. #TruthBrigade truthbrigade.indivisible.org/s/gcWmvehj
Data from the Monitoring the Future survey showed that from 2021 to 2024, the percentage of eighth-graders using flavored vapes rose from 47% to 63%, while the percentage of 10th-graders grew from 41% to 53% and the percentage of 12th-graders increased from 36% to 50%. #edusky
October 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Data from the Monitoring the Future survey showed that from 2021 to 2024, the percentage of eighth-graders using flavored vapes rose from 47% to 63%, while the percentage of 10th-graders grew from 41% to 53% and the percentage of 12th-graders increased from 36% to 50%. #edusky
Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, with 206 instances of his books being censored, according to a report from PEN America that tracks more than 6800 instances of books being temporarily or permanently pulled during the 2024-25 school yr. #edusky
October 2, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Stephen King is the most banned author in US schools, with 206 instances of his books being censored, according to a report from PEN America that tracks more than 6800 instances of books being temporarily or permanently pulled during the 2024-25 school yr. #edusky
Thanks to vouchers. Dowling Catholic High School is raising $76 million to expand, including building a new student union, parking and practice spaces. #edusky
October 2, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Thanks to vouchers. Dowling Catholic High School is raising $76 million to expand, including building a new student union, parking and practice spaces. #edusky
The US Dept of (In)Justice just announced they will investigate the Des Moines Public Schools over discriminatory hiring practices. This comes immediately after the district superintendent was detained by ICE. The Superintendent is resigning from the district. #edusky
Department of Justice to investigate alleged Des Moines Public Schools racial hiring quotas
The announcement comes days after Superintendent Ian Roberts was detained for possible deportation by ICE. Roberts is resigning from the district.
www.desmoinesregister.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The US Dept of (In)Justice just announced they will investigate the Des Moines Public Schools over discriminatory hiring practices. This comes immediately after the district superintendent was detained by ICE. The Superintendent is resigning from the district. #edusky
Teaching remains one of the lowest-paying jobs requiring a college degree, with salaries falling behind inflation—teachers now earn nearly $4000 less than 16 yrs ago. IA ranks 43rd in the nation and lags badly in pay, leaving teachers overworked, underpaid, and unsupported. #edusky
September 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Teaching remains one of the lowest-paying jobs requiring a college degree, with salaries falling behind inflation—teachers now earn nearly $4000 less than 16 yrs ago. IA ranks 43rd in the nation and lags badly in pay, leaving teachers overworked, underpaid, and unsupported. #edusky
US Dept of Ed will redirect fed grant money toward charter schools, civic education, HBCUs/tribal colleges, including $160 million for American History and Civics programs. Critics say it politicizes history and diverts resources from other essential education programs. #civics #edusky
September 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM
No one should have to fear sending their kids to school or going to public events. It’s time legislators to take action. Enough is enough! #GunReformNow
September 16, 2025 at 2:56 AM
No one should have to fear sending their kids to school or going to public events. It’s time legislators to take action. Enough is enough! #GunReformNow
New report from IL Economic Policy Inst and U of IL shows states protecting unions’ collective bargaining rights have seen growth in union membership and higher wages, while “right-to-work” states face union declines, lower pay, and higher discrimination complaints. #edusky
September 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
New report from IL Economic Policy Inst and U of IL shows states protecting unions’ collective bargaining rights have seen growth in union membership and higher wages, while “right-to-work” states face union declines, lower pay, and higher discrimination complaints. #edusky
More Iowa schools have adopted a four-day school week—27 districts have adopted the shortened schedule this year, up from 18 last year. #edusky
August 29, 2025 at 11:36 PM
More Iowa schools have adopted a four-day school week—27 districts have adopted the shortened schedule this year, up from 18 last year. #edusky
Anyone else notice how expensive back-to-school shopping got this year? Thanks to the Trump tariffs that all four of Iowa’s representatives voted to protect, Iowans are paying more than ever.
August 26, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Anyone else notice how expensive back-to-school shopping got this year? Thanks to the Trump tariffs that all four of Iowa’s representatives voted to protect, Iowans are paying more than ever.
The future of public employees’ retirement is now under threat by Gov. Reynolds’ DOGE task force. 🚨🚨🚨
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
August 12, 2025 at 7:07 PM
The future of public employees’ retirement is now under threat by Gov. Reynolds’ DOGE task force. 🚨🚨🚨
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What
This Iowan believes that If our legislature can afford to fund vouchers & corporate tax cuts, they can support public workers! What