Thanks to the Iowa Legislature, public school districts now know their budget targets as they compile their financials for the upcoming school year.

Earlier this week, after the Senate passed its bill, the Iowa House followed suit and passed three-percent for State Supplemental Aid for public schools, which is a total of about $107 million of new funding. House District 47 Representative Carter Nordman voted for the increase, even though Governor Kim Reynolds originally proposed 2.5-percent at the beginning of the legislative session.

“I think three-percent is a reasonable number to be at. I believe, and I would have to double check for sure, but I believe it’s the highest increase in funding for public schools in the last 12 years. So three-percent is a lot of money, in new money.”    

Greene County School District Superintendent Brett Abbotts shares his thoughts on the three-percent increase in SSA funding.

“While I would never turn down any additional funding in terms of making a significant impact, no, that doesn’t help us significantly anyway. Does it help? Yes, of course. But just not significantly.” 

Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law earlier this week.