Iowa Senate Education Committee approved 4 percent school aid hike

DES MOINES - The anticipated annual showdown on school funding moved a step closer Tuesday when the Democratic-majority Senate Education Committee voted along party lines for a 4 percent increase in state aid to K-12 schools.

The Republican-controlled House already has voted to give public schools an extra 2 percent in state aid, or nearly $81 million, in fiscal 2017. That not only half what Democrats are proposing, but below Gov. Terry Branstad's proposed 2.45 percent increase.

Without comment, the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Study Bills 3064 and 3065. SSB 3064 would categorical funding supplements by 4 percent and SSB 3065 would set percent of growth used to calculate local school districts' budget by 4 percent.

'I don't think we need debate here,” Chairman Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said. 'There will be plenty of opportunity out on the floor.”

Quirmbach has warned that anything less than 4 percent will underfund schools. That limits opportunities for students and undermines the state's economic future.

He and Rep. Patti Ruff, D-McGregor, earlier released results of a survey of 257 school superintendents that found 88 percent favored a 4 percent increase in state aid to K-12 schools. Only three favored the 2 percent option.

House Republicans say that although 2 percent is not a big increase, it is appropriate in light of the state's financial realities. House Education Committee Chairman Ron Jorgensen, R-Sioux City, said the $134 million that would go to base school budgets and the third year of the state's education reforms would take 88 percent of the new money that House Republicans believe is available to spend next fiscal year.

House Democrats argued the 2 percent increase would shortchange students and raise local school property taxes.