Despite Iowa legislators having not settled the question of how much state supplemental aid (SSA) schools will be getting within their’ self-imposed timeframe, school districts were required to hold public hearings and publish notices in order to pass their certified budgets.
The SSA was included in AEA bills still being volleyed back and forth between the House and Senate as of last week’s school board meeting. It was reported Tuesday, however, that HF2612 has been passed and has been sent to the desk of Gov. Kim Reynolds for signing.
Sandy Elmore, Fort Madison Community School District business manager, said the 2.5% SSA was an assumption made in the notices that had been sent out to taxpayers and published as required by law.
Elmore expressed frustration with lawmakers, but said the 2.5% wass a solid assumption, as that is what Gov. Kim Reynolds had proposed and appears to be included in HF2612 as of Tuesday.
“But there’s other things going on that could potentially have impacts on this (budget),” Elmore said, “and the Department of Management will adjust our budget depending on what final legislation is, no matter what.”
Elmore also pointed out the notice says “proposed Fort Madison property tax levy” and was concerned taxpayers wouldn’t realize it’s for the school district, not the city of Fort Madison itself.
The first of two public hearings will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, at the school district central office, 1930 Ave. M.
The second hearing will be 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, again at the central office. Following that public hearing, during the school board’s meeting, the board will approve and adopt the budget to certify their ability to levy taxes.
“I’m hoping to have concrete numbers by then,” Elmore said.
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
Board members discussed a variety of education-related legislation.
Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater told the board she continued to communicate with area legislators on the impact the AEA bills will have for rural school districts.
Having the SSA tied into the AEA bill, Slater said, “hamstrings districts trying to establish budgets, trying to set negotiations. You can’s do that when you’re missing that particular piece of the puzzle.”
Slater and board members were concerned about unintended consequences legislation could have on rural school districts, as well as worries about “unfunded mandates.”
HF2612 does include a proposal to increase the baseline salary for new teachers to $47,500 for fiscal year 2025 and to $50,000 in fiscal year 2026. It also does include raises for teachers with at least 12 years of experience to $60,000 in FY25 and $62,00 in FY26. and support staff as well.
The bill limits the salary for an AEA administrator to 125% of the average salary of all superintendents of school districts located within the boundaries of the AEA.
The 2024-25 school year will be unchanged in the way AEAs and school districts handle special education services. However, the following year, school districts will directly receive special education funds and are to send 90% of that funding to AEAs for special education services.
Gov. Reynolds stated “Over the last several weeks, this bill has been the focus of much discussion and debate. Change is seldom easy, but it is necessary to achieve better results. Reforming the AEA system creates accountability, transparency, consistency, and most importantly, better outcomes for all Iowa’s students.”
