Republicans in the Iowa House have released their proposal for general state aid to K-through-12 public schools for the next academic year. The 32-million-dollar increase would not be as robust as the 52-million dollar boost Republican Governor Kim Reynolds proposed earlier this month.
Emily Piper is a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of School Boards. She says if legislators also find more money to address inequities in the school funding formula, it’s a “fairly decent” increase in state support.
Melissa Peterson is a lobbyist for the Iowa State Education Association, the union that represents Iowa teachers. Peterson says a one percent hike in general state aid to schools is disappointing.
House Republicans are hoping to schedule a vote next week in the House on their per pupil spending level for next year. Senate Republicans have not yet revealed their preferred level of state taxpayer support for public schools.
