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(Des Moines, IA) -- Proposed changes to Iowa's nine Area Education Agencies are ready to be signed into law.
The Iowa Senate passed HF 2612 Tuesday, which restructures funding for AEAs, increases school funding per pupil by 2.5%, and raises teachers' wages.
Once fully phased in by Fiscal Year 2026, nearly all funding for special education services will remain with the AEAs but school districts can choose to hire contractors for media and general education services.
The proposal also bumps the minimum pay for new teachers to $50,000 and $62,000 for teachers with at least 12 years of experience. It also includes $14 million for schools to give raises to paraeducators and other non-salaried staff.