Ask CITYVIEW

To what extent has the decision to allow taxpayer dollars to be used to pay for private school education impacted the rosters of these private school football teams?

This question was presumably sparked by the recent IHSAA football state championships, in which six classes had a Catholic team, in other words, a private school, playing for the title out of the seven final games (eight-player through Class 5A).

The reader wanted to know if these schools can recruit players and pay for their private school education through “The Students’ First Act,” introduced by Gov. Kim Reynolds, which grants private schools the ability to access public funds through Education Savings Accounts (ESA). 

The Iowa Department of Education recently released its certified enrollment numbers for 2025-26, showing slight declines. The total number of certified enrollments for all Iowa public and accredited nonpublic schools (private) dropped to 515,221 from 520,021 last year. Public school district and public charter school certified enrollment dropped slightly, by 1.53% to 473,329. Certified enrollment at accredited nonpublic schools rose, from 39,356 to 41,892. A decline in public school enrollment, and a rise in private school enrollment, does not directly answer this question, but the numbers are worth noting.

It is not possible to obtain data on students going from public schools to private schools specifically for athletics. Per the IHSAA 2024-2025 Handbook, recruiting, or “undue influence” to persuade a student to join a school for athletics is prohibited and subject to sanctions. If there is evidence or suspicion of wrongdoing, it should be reported to the IHSAA, but as far as public tax dollars directly benefitting students transferring from a public school to a private school for athletics, the answer is unclear. 

How much money does Jolly Holiday Lights give to Make-A-Wish from its ticket sales?

The reader who submitted this said that of the $25 charged per car load, only $1 goes to Make-A-Wish of Iowa. This is confirmed on the website, with Jolly Holiday Lights adding, “In addition, 20% of all sponsorship revenue is donated back to Make-A-Wish Iowa, amplifying the impact of every partnership.”

As for where the other $24 goes, Jolly Holiday Lights did not respond to a request for comment.

Do law enforcement officers have to follow speed limits? If so, how can a citizen report instances of speeding?

“Law enforcement officers do have to follow all traffic laws in the state of Iowa just like other motorists. There are times when law enforcement is exempt from these laws during certain situations,” Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Alex Dinkla said.

To file a complaint (or compliment) regarding the Iowa Department of Public Safety, go to dps.iowa.gov/divisions/commissioners-office/professional-standards.