Senate Republicans have approved an education funding bill that some school officials say will force increased class sizes and teacher layoffs.
The senate voted 28-21 Thursday for the legislation, which would take effect in July.
State Senator Bill Anderson of Pierson says the bill would add about $40 million to Iowa’s roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget.
He hopes there may be a way to find more funding later to address some issues facing rural schools:
OC…….rural districts. :09
That means $73 would be added to what’s spent on each Iowa student, now just below $6,600.
Anderson says he would like to see a change in determining funding policy and hopes estimated March revenues in the state will be strong:
OC………..or tax policy. :27
The education funding bill has support in the Republican-led House, where a vote is scheduled Monday.
