The 2018 Iowa LegislThe 2018 Iowa
Legislative session started on January 8th. There are a several important
topics for CCA and other Iowa Schools.
- State
Supplemental Aid: State
supplemental Aid is typically discussed as the percent increase in per
pupil funding in the State. Last week Governor Reynolds recommended a SSA
increase of 1.5% for Iowa Schools. Currently the cost per pupil is $6,700,
a 1.5% increase would take it to $6,800, or an additional $100/student. In
talking with legislators it seems more likely that SSA will more likely be
approved at somewhere between 0% and 1%.
At CCA our certified enrollment was up 187 students on the October
1, 2017 count day. In the event of a 0% increase in SSA the district would see
“new money” of $1,250,900. The Governor’s recommendation would result in “new
money” of $1,271,600.
While CCA is fortunate to have “new money”, the low SSA percentage
makes maintaining the class sizes the district and our patrons value
impossible. With all other expenses increasing at a faster rate than SSA
revenue increases we are put in the position to do more with less.
2.
SAVE
extension: Secure an Advanced
Vision for Education, SAVE is revenue for Iowa schools generated from sales tax
across the State. The program was initially voted into existence by each of
Iowa’s 99 counties and later became a State wide per pupil funding stream.
Funds from SAVE can be utilized for large equipment purchases, facilities
construction and maintenance, vehicle purchases, and technology purchases.
At CCA much of our SAVE revenue was bonded against previously in
order to build the high school athletic complex, Performing Arts Center, and a
pod of classrooms at North Bend Elementary. The current SAVE legislation
sunsets in 2029.
An extension to the SAVE legislation is critical for CCA, as well
as nearly every district in Iowa. For CCA the funds from an extension could be
utilized for the purchase of a site for a future high school, projected to be
needed in 2027; construction for a transportation facility; construction for a
baseball/softball complex at the current high school; and help fund
construction of a future high school.
3.
Transportation
Equalization: A bill nearly made it
through the legislature last session that would have supported districts with
per pupil transportation costs higher than the State average. While CCA isn’t
significantly higher than the State average, the bill would have brought
approximately $50,000 to the district as it was developed last session. Those
dollars would certainly be welcomed in our tight budget. This is also a
critical bill for many rural districts who have much higher transportation
costs per pupil.
4.
Education
Savings Accounts: There continues to be
talk of establishing an Education Savings account for families who choose
options other than public education. Under the current system private schools
receive State dollars for services like special education, meal programs, etc.
An Education Savings account would allow families to personally collect the per
pupil funding rate from the State to apply it to private education, home school
costs, or bank it for college tuition. While there are certainly plenty of
opinions on utilizing public tax dollars for private education, perhaps the
biggest question is where would the State get the revenue to fund such a
program in the current fiscal environment?
Please make the effort
to contact your legislators and share your feelings regarding any and all of
these issues. If you have questions about any of them feel free to contact me, timkuehl@ccaschools.org, 319-828-4510.
Sincerely,
Tim Kuehl
Below are the
legislators representing CCA:
