With the signing of the new “Students First Act” by Governor Kim Reynolds, one lawmaker addresses some concerns and additional information.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green (R-Boone) says the first year of the legislation  allows for the state’s per pupil funding to be used by students with household incomes of $85,000 or less and all kindergarteners. The second year, the household income threshold is moved up to $111,000 or less and the third year any student is eligible. 

Green points out the uses with this new law that students are allowed to spend the per pupil funding on tuition for private schools, along with textbooks, tutoring, educational software, among other things. He talks about the plans for oversight.

“Right now the governor is gathering proposals from third party vendors that would administer this program to make sure that this is managed appropriately. So we should learn here within a couple of months of who that vendor is.”  

As for the concern about private schools not having to take all students that apply, including those with special needs, Green says he can’t remember a situation where a private school has done that. However, he talks about what the legislature is doing to address that.

“There are going to be efforts going forward to try to create a partnership between public and private (schools) when it comes to those situations that private schools can’t accommodate some of those special needs children that are desiring a faith-based education that currently are in a public school.” 

The “Students First Act” will be implemented for the start of the 2023-24 school year.