DES MOINES, Iowa - State lawmakers passed a nearly $100 million increase in K-12 education funding Wednesday.
Republican, who control the legislature agreed on a compromise 2.3 percent boost. House Republicans and Governor Reynolds had wanted an increase of 2.5 percent in state aid, but Senate Republicans voted for 2.1 percent. The final deal split the difference. Democrats, who had pushed for a 3 percent increase, all voted against the final package. One Republican, Representative Jeff Shipley of Fairfield, broke ranks and joined Democrats in voting against the plan.
The spending package includes a roughly $85 million increase in general state aid for schools, along with an addition of $7.65 million for rural transportation and $5.8 million in per pupil equity.
The bill now goes to Governor Reynolds for her signature.
School districts must certify their budgets by April 15 prior to the start of the fiscal year, as required by law. The state will spend about $3.5 billion on public pre-K-through-12 schools next year.