Iowa Senate approves 2% increase in school funding, other funding provisions
DES MOINES, Iowa — Two months after the governor released her proposal for next year's public school funding, it appears there is an agreement between the republican trifecta.
The Iowa Senate advanced the bill by a vote of 32 to 15, along party lines. The bill calls for an increase of 2% in per-pupil funding, a total increase of $157 per student. It also includes an increase in per-pupil equity by $5, $2.9 million overall, increasing school transportation equity by $1 million, and increases operational sharing budget from 21 to 25 pupils. The increase is north of $240 million compared to last fiscal year. This amendment was portions of the Senate Republican original plan mixed with House Republican proposals.
'Republicans have increased funding to public schools and K-12 students, every year since 2017, and every year we have kept that promise,' said State Senator Lynn Evans (R), District 3 from Aurelia.
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Senate Democrats said that the state is behind in hundreds of millions of dollars since 2017 to keep public school funding up with the rates of inflation.
'Too little too late,' said State Senator Herman Quirmbach (D), District 25 from Ames. 'There a lot of different ways to measure how short this bill falls, $440 million short of keeping up with inflation.'
A lot of Senate Democrats also listed school districts cutting jobs in their districts, arguing that this budget proposal will increase these cuts.
'Marion Independent School District's budget cuts have forced a reduction of three sections of elementary school. That means larger class sizes, fewer resources and less individual attention for the youngest learners,' said State Senator Molly Donahue (D), District 37 from Cedar Rapids. 'In Cedar Rapids they are facing even more drastic cuts … approximately 25 administrative staff, 60 teachers and 20 paraeducators.'
April 15 is the deadline for public school districts to certify Fiscal Year 2026 budget, with an April 30 deadline to file the budget with the Iowa Department of Education. The Iowa House is scheduled to debate this bill which looks to be an agreement between the majority party.
Iowa News:
Iowa Senate approves 2% increase in school funding, other funding provisions
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