GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS HAS SIGNED A BILL INTO LAW THAT RAISES TEACHER SALARIES, INCREASES GENERAL STATE SPENDING FOR SCHOOLS AND OVERHAULS IOWA’S AREA EDUCATION AGENCIES.
AEASIGN1 OC…THAT THEY EXPECT.” ;08
THE NEW LAW WILL PUT LOCAL DISTRICTS IN CONTROL OF SOME FUNDING THAT CURRENTLY FLOWS DIRECTLY TO THE A-E-AS AND GIVES STATE OFFICIALS MORE AUTHORITY TO OVERSEE SPECIAL EDUCATION.
SCHOOLS WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO USE THE A-E-A’S SPECIAL EDUCATION CONSULTANTS, BUT DISTRICTS WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND 10 PERCENT OF THEIR SPECIAL EDUCATION ALLOTMENT ELSEWHERE, PLUS DISTRICTS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF REDIRECTING MONEY THAT CURRENTLY PAYS FOR OTHER A-E-A SERVICES, LIKE TEACHER TRAINING.
AEASIGN2 OC………RESOLVE THESE ISSUES.” :14
REYNOLDS HELD A CEREMONY IN HER CAPITOL OFFICE AND WAS SURROUNDED BY REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS AND KEY STAFF AS SHE SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW.
HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN SKYLER WHEELER FROM HULL HELPED LEAD HOUSE NEGOTIATIONS WITH EDUCATORS, PARENTS AND ADVOCATES FOR BOTH LARGE AND SMALL SCHOOLS THAT RESULTED IN CHANGES TO THE GOVERNOR’S ORIGINAL BILL.
AEASIGN3 OC………IN OUR STATE.” :06
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN KEN ROZENBOOM FROM OSKALOOSA, SAYS THE FEE-FOR-SERVICE MODEL IN THE NEW LAW PROVIDES ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND GIVES SCHOOLS A WAY TO JUDGE THE VALUE OF A-E-A SERVICES.
AEASIGN4 OC…….REFORM IS NEEDED.” :14
OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE NEW LAW WILL RAISE BEGINNING TEACHER PAY TO 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS WITHIN TWO YEARS — AND VETERAN TEACHERS MUST BE PAID AT LEAST 62-THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR IF THEY’VE BEEN TEACHING FOR AT LEAST 12 YEARS.
SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS LIKE HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JENNIFER KONFRST CLAIM THE NEW LAW IS UNPOPULAR AND THINK IT WILL BE AN ISSUE FOR VOTERS IN NOVEMBER.
