SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE STATED THEIR INITIAL OFFER ON STATE FUNDING OF IOWA’S PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, A PER PUPIL INCREASE OF ONE-AND-THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT FOR THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
THAT’S LESS THAN GOVERNOR REYNOLDS PROPOSAL OF A TWO PERCENT INCREASE.
SENATOR LYNN EVANS, A REPUBLICAN FROM AURELIA, IS A RETIRED SUPERINTENDENT WHO CHAIRS THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.
EVANS SAYS THE GOAL IS TO MAKE THE DECISION QUICKLY, SO SCHOOL OFFICIALS CAN MAKE DECISIONS ON NEXT YEAR’S BUDGETS.
EDUMONEY1 OC……..THESE NEGOTIATIONS STARTED.” :17
MARGARET BUCKTON, A LOBBYIST FOR THE URBAN SCHOOL NETWORK AND THE RURAL SCHOOLS OF IOWA, SAYS DUE TO DECLINING ENROLLMENT, 90 DISTRICTS WILL GET LESS STATE SUPPORT NEXT YEAR AT THAT LEVEL — JUST AS THEY’RE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO PAY BEGINNING AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS HIGHER SALARIES.
EDUMONEY2 OC…….NEW SALARY MINIMUMS.” :19
UNDER THE SENATE REPUBLICANS’ PLAN, THE INCREASE IN STATE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WOULD BE 145 DOLLARS PER PUPIL.
EACH STATE-FUNDED ACCOUNT TO COVER A STUDENT’S PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPENSES WOULD GET A DEPOSIT OF OVER 81-HUNDRED DOLLARS.
