Republicans at the Iowa statehouse have three education-related bills on the fast track, aiming to provide nearly 90 million MORE dollars to Iowa’s public K-through-12 schools next year. Republican-led committees in the House and Senate will approve a boost in “per pupil” spending that’s a smidge over two percent. The full House and Senate will debate school funding early next week. Emily Piper is a lobbyist for the Iowa Association of School Boards.
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The Iowa State Education Association — the union representing about 34-thousand Iowa teachers — has been arguing for at least a three percent boost in general state aid to schools. Brad Hudson, a lobbyist for the group, says financially-pinched schools need more to keep up with inflation.
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Two other proposals, scheduled for quick action this month as well, would send schools extra state resources to equalize per student funding in certain districts and boost school bus budgets. A fourth bill would extend the local option state sales tax for school infrastructure.
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