tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285353362748898720.post5797637524279311017..comments2024-03-28T06:53:24.022-05:00Comments on a blog about school: School budget cuts will be (mostly) your legislators’ faultChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12919030671050831251noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8285353362748898720.post-5172830005049626852015-01-20T23:42:16.069-06:002015-01-20T23:42:16.069-06:00ya'all better pick up the phones and pens quic...ya'all better pick up the phones and pens quick here for every K-12 public school child in this state:<br /><br />"From the IOWA ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS…<br />Iowa House SSA Proposal<br />Today (Jan 20), the Iowa House unveiled their recommendations for FY 2016 and FY 2017 Supplemental State Aid (SSA). HSB 57 and HSB 58 recommend a 1.25% SSA rate for FY 2016 for the regular and categorical programs. The House released their FY 2017 recommendations (HSB 55, HSB 56) for a 2.45% growth rate. Both rates are consistent with Governor Branstad's recommendation.<br /><br />These recommendations fall far short of the financial commitment that Iowa’s public schools and students need to move forward. IASB, in partnership with the Public Education Coalition, is recommending a 6% SSA rate. Iowa is 35th in the nation in per pupil spending. The proposals are likely to expand that gap.<br /><br />Assuming an average increase in district costs of 3%, IASB calculates that more than 80% or 270 school districts would not receive enough funding at a 1.25% growth rate to cover these costs. The House's proposal would also disproportionately hit property taxpayers by generating an additional $16.3. million in property taxes. Nearly half of Iowa’s school districts would be on the budget guarantee based on this proposal.<br /><br />Advocacy Action Needed<br /><br />Your action is needed now! The House Education Committee intends to move these bills this week. Tomorrow may be too late to influence your legislator's vote on SSA. Contact him or her now! The time to advocate is now! Make your point with legislators that a 1.25% growth rate is insufficient to ensure that Iowa schools can deliver a high-quality education to its students. Please contact the House members representing your school district AS SOON AS POSSIBLE: Ask them to oppose HSB 55, 56, 57, and 58.<br /><br />Reinforce that insufficient funding will negatively impact program offerings, class sizes and staffing levels, as well as raise property taxes."Julie VanDykenoreply@blogger.com