(Radio Iowa) – Iowans who need help filling out their income tax forms can take advantage of a free service through the Iowa State University Extension starting next week. Becky Koppen (COP-in) oversees the R-S-V-P or Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Hamilton County. Koppen says low- to moderate-income Iowans can make use of VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance.

“People who qualify can call the VITA number and make an appointment to have someone assist them with their taxes — for free,” she says. Through the program, certified community volunteers prepare taxes with computer software and can offer help with special tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Credit for the Elderly or Disabled. Iowans can call now to schedule an appointment.

“This begins January 23rd and goes through the end of March,” Koppen says. “It’s just a great program to help people get those taxes done.” The program is offered in many — but not all — Iowa counties. Learn more by calling 800-906-9887 or by visiting: www.irs.gov/vita.

(Lenox, Iowa) – A joint meeting of the Griswold and Lenox Community School District Boards of Directors will take place 6-p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, in Lenox. The Board will gather in the Lenox High School Commons at 600 S. Locust Street, to consider extending the sharing agreement for the position of Superintendent – currently held by Dave Henrichs – and consider extending his individual contract.

Following discussion and a public comment period on the matter, the Boards will consider entering into a closed session. Upon return from the closed session, they will consider/act on renewal of the sharing agreement and consider/act on Henrich’s individual contract.

(Radio Iowa) – A large crowd is expected at the Iowa Capitol late this (Tuesday) afternoon for a public hearing on what Governor Kim Reynolds calls her “school choice” plan. When fully implemented, at least 341 million dollars in state money would be distributed each year to Iowa parents with kids in private K-through-12 schools to cover tuition and other expenses. Reynolds and House Speaker Pat Grassley say it would promote competition and improve public schools.

“This is obviously a huge shift within the state,” Grassley said, “but I think we can do it in a way that we can support both.” Democrats are opposed to the idea. House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says the plan will siphon resources away from public schools.”I think there are some Republicans who also have serious concerns about what this will do to communities with public schools,” Konfrst says. “Will it make public schools dry up in small towns?” The governor’s previous, more limited plans for private school funding faltered in the House in each of the past two years.

Grassley, the top Republican in the House, says he’s optimistic there enough G-O-P votes this year. “I feel confident we will have the support, but there’s going to be a vote in the House either way, Iowans are going to get to see where their legislator stands on the issue,” Grassley says. “Part of why we’ve made some changes in committee functions or committee make-ups as well to assure that the process did not stop this from at least being voted on in the Iowa House.”

Grassley and two other House G-O-P leaders on the new House Education Reform Committee will be able to advance the bill under new House rules that bypass three other committees where the bill could have faltered. Konfrst, the top Democrat in the House, says ensuring wealthy Iowans get thousands of state tax dollars to send their child to a private school is unpopular.

“When you ask Iowans: ‘Do you want school vouchers?’ the majority say, ‘No,'” Konfrst says. The House speaker says it was no secret on the campaign trail that the governor and G-O-P candidates would pursue this policy — and Republicans scored sizable victories. “The dynamic has fundamentally changed since last session,” Grassley says. “There’s been an election. This issue has been out there. Candidates for the House all across the state were successful and almost all of them at least campaigned with this as part of their campaign strategy and their platform moving forward.” Konfrst says there are just 51 private high schools in the state and 40 counties don’t have even a private elementary. “We need to focus on the 485,000 kids in public schools and that’s what we will be pushing for,” Konfrst says.

This evening’s public hearing is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. and last for 90 minutes. Hundreds of people have already submitted written comments.