THIS THURSDAY IS THE LEGAL DEADLINE FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE HOW MUCH THE STATE WILL SPEND ON K-12 SCHOOLS NEXT YEAR.
THAT DEADLINE IS ROUTINELY MISSED, HOWEVER. AND HOUSE REPUBLICANS HAVE YET TO REVEAL THEIR INITIAL OFFER IN THE NEGOTIATIONS.
GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS HAS PROPOSED A STATE FUNDING INCREASE OF TWO PERCENT AND LAST WEEK SENATE REPUBLICANS SUGGESTED 1.75%.
STATE REPRESENTATIVE BOB HENDERSON OF SIOUX CITY THINKS THE HOUSE PROPOSAL WILL BE SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE:
SFUND OC…SET THEIR BUDGETS. :14
MICHELLE JOHNSON OF THE IOWA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS SAYS THE PROPOSED FIGURES DO NOT ADDRESS THE INFLATIONARY COSTS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FACE:
SFUND1 OC……..MEET EACH YEAR.” :16
ANY PERSON HIRED TO START TEACHING IN THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR MUST BE PAID A SALARY OF AT LEAST 50-THOUSAND DOLLARS AND ANY TEACHER WITH 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE MUST BE PAID AT LEAST 60-THOUSAND DOLLARS.
MELISSA PETERSON OF THE IOWA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SAYS THE STATE TEACHERS UNION IS CALLING FOR AT LEAST A FIVE PERCENT INCREASE IN STATE SUPPORT OF SCHOOL.
SFUND2 OC………HAVE PROGRAM REDUCTIONS.” :11
CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS OVER TEACHER PAY ARE TIED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, WHICH IS JUST UNDER THREE PERCENT.
