ALL the Republicans in the legislature agree on giving a one percent boost in general state support to Iowa’s public schools. However, action on that is held up as Republicans in the House and Senate debate how to address another issue — excessive transportation costs in geographically large school districts. HOUSE Republicans like Representative Cecil Dolecheck of Mount Ayr promise to revisit that school transportation issue next week.
HOUSE Republicans are offering about 10 million dollars to cover busing costs for one year. SENATE Republicans have been pushing for a permanent fix, one that would go equally to all schools. Most Democrats in the HOUSE voted to support THAT plan. Representative Sharon Steckman is a Democrat from Mason City.
This busing issue along with a final vote on how much state money to give public schools next year are still on the legislature’s “to do” list for next week.
