DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad and Iowa lawmakers have invested plenty of time on proposed reforms to Iowa’s public schools, but it looks like big changes to the education system are unlikely this session. Branstad initially offered a number of proposals, including linking teacher pay to performance in the classroom, requiring potential teachers to meet grade point standards before they could seek education training and holding students back if they didn’t meet reading benchmarks. After complaints from teacher groups and others, Branstad delayed the proposed salary changes, and now it appears that many of his other proposals will fall by the wayside due to disagreements with Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal notes the Legislature likely will approve plans to increase spending on early elementary programs.

The third and final legislative coffee to be held in Cass County will take place April 14th, in Griswold. The event, which is sponsored by PRIDE (the Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise), along with support from the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, begins at 10-a.m. next Saturday, at the Cass County Historical Museum (414 Main St.), in Griswold. Scheduled to attend is State Senator Nancy Boettger, from Harlan, and Representatives Clel Baudler,  from Greenfield, along with Jack Drake, from Griswold.

The event marks the final legislative coffee for Boettger, whose district lines have moved outside of Cass County following redistricting as a result of the 2010 census. Senator Hubert Houser, from Carson, is new to Cass County, but a veteran of the Iowa legislature. He will represent Cass County in the Iowa Senate when the 2013 session convenes in January, 2013.

PRIDE is an economic development organization that works on behalf of the cities of Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis and Marne, for economic development within Cass County, and for numerous individual members and businesses in southwest Iowa. For additional information on the event, or about PRIDE, contact organization President Kenner Baxter at 712-781-2395, or Vice President Clarke Gerlock, at 712-774-5476.