House Democrats: Schools could have 1,000 fewer staff members next year

DES MOINES - Iowa schools could have more than 1,000 fewer teachers and other staff members next year amid uncertain funding from the state Legislature, House Democrats said Tuesday.

Legislators this spring have been debating how much to increase state supplemental aid, a major funding category for K-12 schools, for 2015-16. Republicans have held firm to a proposed 1.25-percent increase backed by Gov. Terry Branstad. Democrats have proposed successive increases of 6, 4 and 2.625 percent.

As that debate continues, House Democrats surveyed 221 school district leaders about their plans for staffing, programs and class sizes next school year.

The survey results included 408 planned 'pink slips” and 626 unfilled positions, according to a news release from House Democrats.

Cedar Rapids Community School District superintendent David Benson has said Cedar Rapids schools would have to leave 25 teacher positions unfilled if the Republican 1.25-percent funding proposal becomes law.

Schools' budget plans could vary depending on what funding level actually becomes law.