DES MOINES, IOWA (February 25, 2020) — Governor Kim Reynolds was joined by lawmakers and education advocates when she signed SF2164, an education funding bill designed to help schools with transportation funding and per pupil student-equity.
“We live in a disruptive, technologically-driven economy, and if we aren't preparing our students to succeed in the 21st century, then we are failing them,” said Gov Reynolds. “This legislation will help Iowa’s many rural school districts absorb transportation costs and put more money into the classroom. Education is always a top priority, and we will continue to look for ways to provide every school, educator, and student with the tools for success.”
Transportation equity was first funded in FY19 to help absorb transportation costs associated with students traveling across rural communities. SF2164 provides more than $7.2 million in new funding for the 204 school districts with transportation costs above the statewide average of $347.65 per pupil and provides $5.9 million for per pupil spending equity.
In her Condition of the State address, Gov Reynolds called for over $103 million in new funding for Iowa schools, including an increase in per-pupil funding and transportation equity. With that investment, the state of Iowa will have spent $13 billion on preK-12 since 2017.
SF2164: an act relating to public school funding by modifying provisions relating to the regular program state cost per pupil and to appropriations to the transportation equity fund and including effective date provisions.
