THE IOWA HOUSE HAS NARROWLY PASSED A PACKAGE THAT WILL RAISE TEACHER PAY, INCREASE GENERAL STATE SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS AND KEEP AREA EDUCATION AGENCIES AS THE MAIN PROVIDER OF EXPERTS WHO ASSIST SCHOOLS WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS FOR STUDENTS.
HOUSE SPEAKER PAT GRASSLEY SAYS IT PROVIDES CERTAINTY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR PARENTS AND, IN TOTAL, AMOUNTS TO A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE IN STATE SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS.
HOUSEAEA1 OC……THESE THREE TOPICS.” :08
THE BILL RAISES THE NEW TEACHER MINIMUM SALARY TO $47,500 AND VETERAN TEACHERS WITH 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE INCREASE TO $60,000 A YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING YEAR, STARTING TEACHER PAY WOULD BE $50,000 AND 12 YEAR VETERANS WOULD MAKE A MINIMUM OF $62,000.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADER MATT WINDSCHITL SAYS IT SENDS A CLEAR AND CONCISE MESSAGE TO THE SENATE.
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UNDER THE PLAN, A-E-AS WOULD CONTINUE TO GET 90 PERCENT OF STATE FUNDING FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD BE ABLE TO SPEND THE REMAINING 10 PERCENT ON DISTRICT EMPLOYEES, PRIVATE CONTRACTOR OR CONTINUE TO USE A-E-A STAFF.
THE PLAN PASSED WITH THE SUPPORT OF 51 OF THE 60 HOUSE REPUBLICANS PRESENT THURSDAY NIGHT.
DEMOCRATS ARGUED THE PACKAGE FALLS FAR SHORT OF THE STATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT SCHOOLS NEED.
IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAID THE HOUSE PLAN PAVES A PATH FORWARD TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN IOWA’S EDUCATION SYSTEM IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER JACK WHITVER SAID SENATE REPUBLICANS WILL DISCUSS THE HOUSE PACKAGE NEXT WEEK.
