SF 303 (LSB 2300XS (3) 86)

SENATE FILE 303

BY  SMITH

A BILL FOR

An Act establishing a district cost per pupil equalization task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  DISTRICT COST PER PUPIL EQUALIZATION TASK FORCE.
   1.  The department of education shall convene a task force to review the differences in the district cost per pupil among school districts in the state. The task force shall identify inequities between school districts caused by differences in the district cost per pupil and shall analyze options to eliminate differences in the district cost per pupil and reduce the identified inequities, including cost-neutral options for the state, state and local taxpayers, and school districts.
   2.  The task force membership shall be comprised of education stakeholders, including but not limited to persons representing the following entities or individuals:
   a.  The director of the department of education.
   b.  The school administrators of Iowa.
   c.  The Iowa association of school boards.
   d.  The Iowa state education association.
   e.  The professional educators of Iowa.
   f.  The Iowa taxpayers association.
   g.  The Iowa association of business and industry.
   3.  The task force shall submit its findings and recommendations in a report to the general assembly by January 15, 2017.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requires the department of education to convene a task force to review the differences in the district cost per pupil among school districts in the state. The task force is required to identify inequities between school districts caused by differences in the district cost per pupil and to analyze options to eliminate differences in the district cost per pupil and reduce the identified inequities, including cost-neutral options for the state, state and local taxpayers, and school districts.
   The task force membership is comprised of education stakeholders, including but not limited to persons representing the director of the department of education, the school administrators of Iowa, the Iowa association of school boards, the Iowa state education association, the professional educators of Iowa, the Iowa taxpayers association, and the Iowa association of business and industry.
   The task force is required to submit its findings and recommendations in a report to the general assembly by January 15, 2017.