Concern continues that school choice initiatives could take money away from public schools
A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.
Public school parents and school board members lobbied Iowa lawmakers Tuesday to support legislation they say will improve the state’s public schools.
One top priority: extending the SAVE tax for school infrastructure, sometimes called the statewide penny tax.
The one-cent sales tax is set to expire in 2029.
It has been scrutinized by some, as districts have spent millions on things like sports complexes. But it’s also brought in needed money to refurbish old schools, build new ones and enhance buildings, by adding safety measures such as secure entrances, said Joan Corbin, president of the Iowa Association of School Boards and the Pella school board president.
The association hosted the daylong event at the Capitol with Parents for Great Iowa Schools, a parent group that has grown to more than 3,200 Facebook followers.
The public school advocates also lobbied legislators Tuesday to support « equitable » school funding across districts and changes to transportation spending.
A number of school choice proposals have come forward this session, which have made some public school advocates wary of state resources being directed away from public schools.
« There’s only one big pot of state money, » said Louisa Dykstra, a volunteer leader with the parent group. « Anything that reduces revenue impacts schools. »
That includes education savings grants — sometimes referred to as education savings accounts or school vouchers — that would allow certain students to use state money to pay for private or home school expenses.
In addition, Gov. Kim Reynolds has said she’d like to see Iowa 529 college savings plans be extended so that families can use tax-advantaged money to cover K-12 school tuition. That change is possible under the new federal tax reform bill.
The public school also asked for additional resources for mental health and special education, as well as increasing the state supplemental school aid, among other initiatives.
