DES MOINES, IOWA (February 19, 2019) — Key legislative leaders agreed on and Governor Kim Reynolds signed into law today an education funding package that includes setting a supplemental state aid rate for FY 2020 and additional money to address transportation and cost per pupil inequities-a total investment of $90 million. The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) thanks Gov Reynolds and leaders in both parties for coming to a budget agreement in a more timely way than past years. A timely decision on supplemental state aid is critical for schools as they plan and make budget decisions for the next year. The SSA rate, set at 2.06 percent, provides $70 million in per pupil funding. IASB has worked collaboratively with legislators to resolve inequities in school funding, focusing on high transportation costs and unequal district funding per student. We are one step closer to closing that gap-with a total amount of $19 million for transportation equity relief and an additional $2.8 million to continue to equalize per pupil spending. This is a significant next step that will help strengthen public schools on the path to equity.   But now we must turn our attention to another vital source of funding for Iowa public schools-passage of the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education bill. This bill extends SAVE until January 1, 2051, giving schools a reliable funding source to make long-term facility plans and bond against the revenue from the sales tax. The one-cent sales tax for schools is crucial in providing safe, modern school facilities and technology for Iowa students. We ask legislators to consider moving this bill forward and extending the sunset for SAVE to January 1, 2051. IASB is a nonprofit organization representing Iowa's 330 public school districts, nine area education agencies and 15 community colleges.

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