Culver calls for more funding for Iowa schools

Gov. Chet Culver is calling on lawmakers to boost funding for Iowa schools by at least $347 million next year as districts face budget shortfalls and consider layoffs.

The additional dollars will go a long way to helping keep teachers employed, Culver said.

“I think it's important that we let the public know, let our constituents know, and in particular the school districts that we hear their concerns loudly and clearly and that we are trying to be responsive to their needs at the local level,” Culver said.

Culver wants the Legislature to approve funding in the coming weeks before they adjourn for the year and as school districts are working to finalize next year's budget.

The additional aid in the form of federal stimulus dollars and a 2 percent increase in state aid known as “allowable growth” will mean millions of dollars more for some districts.

The Cedar Rapids school district would see a $12.5 million increase while the Sioux City district would see $12.1 million more.

Culver said he wants to give districts some certainty about what they can expect in state funding.

“I have no reason to believe that leadership will not comply with that budget request, but I just think it is critically important that I make it crystal clear that these public schools across our state are relying on this additional funding,” Culver said.

Culver said he has been pleased with the progress so far on budget talks.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Democrats are “at the governor's number” and have been since Culver released his budget proposal.

“I think he wants to encourage us to do it, and I think he cares about the education our kids get,” Gronstal said.

Culver said state officials expect that school districts will work to find efficiencies, through options such as group purchasing or the consolidation of information technology systems.

The governor pointed to legislation passed earlier this session that required districts to spend down a portion of their reserve funds before they look to raise property taxes.

“That has never been done before, so that was a historic step to reduce property taxes at the local level,” Culver said.

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