Statewide Iowa — Senate Republicans are proposing a two-and-a-quarter percent increase in general state support of public schools.
It’s slightly less than the two-and-a-half percent increase Governor Kim Reynolds has proposed. Public school advocates say neither figure provides enough to deal with the impact of inflation on expenses and to keep wages competitive for teachers and other school staff. Republican Senator Chris Cournoyer of Le Claire says the Senate GOP number is responsible.
Lawmakers are required to make this school funding decision 30 days after the legislature convenes. Democrats have called for a five percent increase in general state support of public school operations. Governor Reynolds says her recommendation, which is half that much, is reasonable and she says Iowa schools received a huge amount of federal pandemic relief money that’s not yet been spent.
That federal money — approved by congress during the Trump and Biden Administrations — is to be used to ensure schools are operating safely and to address the impact the pandemic has had on students.
