Iowa Senate Democrats are criticizing a new school funding proposal advanced by Senate Republicans this week, saying it could strain public school budgets across the state.
The Senate Education Committee advanced SSB 3100, which would set the annual increase in state funding for Iowa public schools at 1.75%. Democrats note that the current U.S. inflation rate is around 2.7%, and they say the funding increase could force districts to reduce teacher positions, cut programs or consolidate classes.
Senate Democrats cite examples of schools already facing budget challenges, including districts unable to afford cost-of-living raises for teachers or maintain programs like STEM classes and language instruction. They say these funding levels could prevent some districts from meeting minimum teacher salary requirements passed by the legislature in recent years.
Senate Democrats say they believe Iowa kids deserve better, while emphasizing that the final state funding numbers could change as proposals from the governor and House Republicans have yet to be finalized.
