Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press at 5:15 a.m. CST

UNDATED (AP) — A prominent political scientist has routinely misled the public by suggesting he conducts focus group research when he actually just discusses news with acquaintances and colleagues. Iowa State University professor Steffen Schmidt has written repeatedly in newspaper columns about having a focus group that gives him unique insights. But Schmidt now says he contacts individuals to discuss issues as they arise. Experts say he has been misusing the term in a way that inflates his expertise.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Department of Education has filed an ethics complaint against Davenport’s school superintendent, saying the district openly broke the law by using money in a reserve account to pay for ongoing programming. The Quad-City Times reports that the school district has spent $1.6 million of its estimated $20 million reserve fund. Superintendent Art Tate and school board members have cited a funding inequity in the state’s system that allows some districts to spend more money per pupil.

AMES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s lieutenant governor _ who is set to become Iowa’s next governor _ is celebrating a different milestone this weekend. Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds will attain her longstanding goal to get a bachelor’s degree when she graduates from Iowa State University on Saturday. Reynolds will be receiving her bachelor of liberal studies degree and will participate in the school’s fall graduation ceremony Saturday.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — A Linn County District judge has found a former Cedar Rapids substitute teacher guilty of having sex with a student. Cedar Rapids television station KCRG reports that 24-year-old Mary Beth Haglin was found guilty Friday of sexually exploiting a 17-year-old student last year while she worked at Cedar Rapids Washington High School. She faces up to two years in prison on the misdemeanor count when she’s sentenced on Feb. 17.