Iowa state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott released the following statement regarding final passage of the Republican school funding plan for the 2023-24 academic year:
“The school funding bill that passed the House today and the Senate last week fails to meet the needs facing students and teachers in districts across Iowa,” Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, said. “That’s especially true in rural Iowa, where 72 districts will actually lose state funding compared to the current year.”
The Republican plan increases school funding by 3 percent, or about $107 million, for the upcoming school year. But for 72 largely rural districts across the state, that increase will not offset the funding lost due to declining enrollments, meaning they’ll receive less state support than they’re getting now.
While state support for school is tied to enrollment numbers, schools must contend with fixed costs for building maintenance, supplies and more. Declining enrollment can mean thousands less in funding, with no equal drop in expenses. Most districts will make up that loss by raising property taxes.
“If you live in one of these 72 districts, your local senator voted to provide less support for kids and teachers in your community,” Trone Garriott said. “Iowans deserve to know when their elected representatives vote to hurt their communities and leave kids with less. And if you live in one of these districts, your senator needs to hear from you.”
Below is a list of senators who voted for 3 percent school funding, along with the school districts they represent that will receive less state funding as a result:
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