With the deadline for schools to set their budget for the next school year just two weeks away, Iowa school districts are still in the lurch because the state has not decided how much aid to provide next year. |
(From Rep. Sharon Steckman)
With the deadline for schools to set their budget for the next school year just two weeks away, Iowa school districts are still in the lurch because the state has not decided how much aid to provide next year.
The Senate has approved a modest 2% growth rate for next year while the House majority party wants to provide zero growth for schools next year.
School districts are also under pressure because the Legislature also has not reached a resolution on preschool funding as well. The difference between the House and Senate on preschool exceeds $40 million considering all sources of funding for preschool services.
April 1st marks the 33rd day that the Legislature is in violation of current law for not enacting a school funding provision referred to as allowable growth. The final day for schools to certify their budgets is April 15th. Unfortunately, this is where inaction has its consequences, because schools will most likely assume no increase in funding per pupil and certify a lower budget.
