Iowa legislators have approved a “grand compromise” to increase per pupil state spending in public schools by two-and-a-quarter percent in the next academic year — but lawmakers from both parties are drawing battle lines on the school funding issue for the fall election. Things got testy in the House.
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That was Representative Mary Mascher, a Democrat from Iowa City. Her remarks sparked shouts of outrage from Republicans. A few moments later Republican Representative Chip Baltimore of Boone chided Democrats as well as school officials for negotiating pay raises for teachers and administrators.
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The per pupil payment schools will get from the state will increase 145 dollars as a result of this deal. Schools with declining enrollment, however, will be financially stretched. Those 112 schools will NOT receive any additional state aid next year.