DES MOINES, Iowa — Recently, the House GOP approved an education funding bill with a vote of 58 to 35. Five Republicans joined Democrats in opposing it.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst expressed concern, stating, “We’re not just underfunding schools; we’re underfunding kids. We’re letting 430,000 Iowa public school students down.”
The proposed bill includes a 2.25% increase in funding per student. It also provides one-time payments to help with essential services like transportation and shared staffing between districts.
“This plan offers a responsible and sustainable increase for our schools,” said State Rep. Dan Gelhbach. He emphasized the need to focus on funding students rather than just educational systems, highlighting that this increase is just the beginning.
Before the vote, a public hearing took place where only two people opposed the bill. Despite ten Iowans signing up to speak, only one was in favor of the proposal.
Critics argue that a 2.25% increase isn’t enough to address soaring costs. They warned that students might face the consequences of insufficient funding.
Anne Cross from the Des Moines Education Association pointed out, “Many schools struggle with outdated materials and overcrowded classrooms, which makes personalized learning nearly impossible.”
Among the various comments online, one supporter noted that simply increasing funding does not guarantee better education results. Dr. Erick Pruitt, superintendent of the Ankeny Community School District, added that while a 2.25% increase is a positive step, it still falls short of meeting the needs of students and staff without burdening property taxpayers.
As the bill moves back to the Senate for negotiations, Speaker Grassley expressed optimism that Senate Republicans will consider additional funding options.
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Education funding,House GOP,Per pupil funding,Iowa public schools,2.25% increase,Students,Schools,Negotiations
