Meeting Public Comments

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SSB 3100

A bill for an act relating to school funding by establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for the budget year beginning July 1, 2026, modifying provisions relating to property tax replacement payments, the regular program state cost per pupil, funding for school district budget adjustments, and school district enrollment, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See SF 2201.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Evans-CH, Kraayenbrink, Quirmbach

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Senate Lounge

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

02-03-2026

Kelly Ashworth

Please vote no. Public schools need to be appropriately funded to prepare our children for employment and full participation in their communities. Lack of funding will result in larger class sizes, fewer opportunities, less planning time, and poor outcomes. I suggest at least 3%.

02-03-2026

Carrie Sukut

Very strongly oppose!! As a teacher and a parent in this state, I strongly believe in our public school system. But we need funding. This doesnt even cover inflation. However more and more money keeps going to private schools who cannot support our neediest students. Please. Fund our public schools!

02-03-2026

Terri Paulson

I strongly OPPOSE Senate Study 3100. Public schools have been intentionally underfunded for years while the voucher program continues to increase year after year. Vote NOALL of our children/students, teachers, and school districts deserve equal funding and support!!!

02-03-2026

Elana Shinkle

AGAINST. As a parent of a special education teacher in Iowa public schools, I urge you to vote NO on SF 3100. A 1.75% SSA increase is inadequate and does not keep us competitive burned out teachers will move elsewhere. Because staffing costs make up the majority of school budgets, districts cannot absorb rising costs without making cuts. When SSA falls short, the result is larger class sizes, fewer support staff, outdated materials, and increasing difficulty retaining teachers. Underfunding schools undermines student learning, workforce preparation, and the longterm strength of our communities. Understaffed schools pose a risk to students.Please advocate for an SSA that keeps pace with inflation and the real costs of delivering a worldclass PUBLIC education.

02-03-2026

Ambre Grund

Strongly opposed. I am a parent, and have worked in education for the past 24 years. Our children are facing unprecedented challenges at this time. They are learning to regulate attention and emotions, to wade through the muck of social media, and of course to learn skills that will allow them to be employed in the future. Sadly they also have to learn about safety if their school is under attack. This is the reality right now. We need school staff who are trained and well supported by a strong infrastructure. We must fund our schools at a level that supports our children.

02-03-2026

Matt McKee

Against. This proposed bill would severely underfund our schools. We need SSA to keep up with inflation, not continue to lag behind. As a parent, I want my children, and all Iowans, to have access to the best teachers and facilities. We have to invest in our communities.

02-03-2026

Jennifer Jansen [Citizen]

Against. If you truly want what is best for the children in your communities and across Iowa, public schools need to be fully funded. Districts face difficult decisions that impact child outcomes if funding continues as it has for years. This is not the route to make Iowa first and education again.

02-03-2026

Kerri Schwemm

This proposal clearly indicates that state leaders do not agree that every student in Iowa deserves a quality K12 educational experience. Vote no and please collaborate to fund K12 education in a way that will lead us back to the top!

02-03-2026

Kimberly Stone

In 1990 the the state percent growth was 7% Iowa schools were the gold standard for education. In the 2000 Iowa schools were funded at 4% continued excellence was the foundation in education in subsequent years less and less funding was given to schools at 2% and 1% and now we bankrupt public education and wonder why teachers are leaving and Iowa no longer leads. Lets stand on Iowas belief that wellfunded schools are essential to attracting families, supporting local communities, and giving teachers the resources they need to succeed. Strong school funding helps make Iowa a desirable place to live and ensures all students have the opportunity to thrive.

02-03-2026

Jennifer Mahl

Please vote no! Iowa used to be #1 in education in the nation. Funding to public schools has decreased dramatically which correlates to our drop in ranking. Public schools need adequate funding to operate, this number is far from adequate. How would any company expect to operate on a shoestring budget such as this, let alone a school district? Proposed policies like this one will hurt our communities and further increase brain drain.

02-03-2026

Jenna Anthofer

OPPOSE: the majority of Iowa children are currently educated at public schools. When funding increases cant match or outpace inflation, we are setting our schools and educators up for failure! Please vote against this bill and lets properly fund the education of ALL IOWA CHILDREN!

02-03-2026

Julie Duer

If you have children or grandchildren, you know 7 cents does not go far. Please vote no and fund our public schools fully. Without adequate investment, we're looking at larger class sizes, fewer teachers and support staff, deferred building maintenance, and outdated technology. All of which will continue to erode student outcomes, accelerate teacher burnout and turnover, and leave districts unable to plan sustainably. Not to mention, these systemic issues will ultimately undermine our workforce pipeline and weaken our local economy.

02-03-2026

Bridget Castelluccio

Vote NO for this funding which is not enough to even keep up with inflation. Iowa will continue to decline in education scores, quality teachers will leave the profession or not even begin a teaching career, and we will continue to have bright young people leave the state. My two adult children who were educated k12 in Iowa left the state but for college and careers. They are an engineer and a mental health counselor. I am a long time educator that is close to retirement. I would move out of state to teach if I was younger in my career path. FULLY FUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS with 5% SSA

02-03-2026

Anna Kemp

Vote no on SSB 3100. The proposed amount of 1.75% isnor enough to adequately fund our public schools. If the state can afford to fund private schools though the ESA program, then we should be able to fully fund our public schools.

02-03-2026

Susan Corbin-Muir

I strongly oppose this bill. Our public schools have been underfunded for over a decade. Combine this with sending public money to private schools, our schools are at a critical point. The future of Iowa depends on fulling funding our public schools.

02-03-2026

Jean McDonald

OPPOSED. Any funding that falls below inflation continues to undermine a PUBLIC SCHOOL system that was once considered premiere throughout the nation. Lack of funding contributes greatly to the reason that many of our prospective teachers, and families, find it NECESSARY to leave Iowa for better opportunity and education. Who loses when the funding for excellent public school education is inadequate? OUR STUDENTS. OUR FUTURE. VOTE NO.

02-03-2026

Bett Peterson [Cedar Falls School Board]

Public Education needs to be funded by the State of Iowa. 1.75% is a slap in the face to all those striving to keep Iowa strong as we move forward in the future! Do what's right for EVERYONE, support public education.

02-03-2026

Michel Steepleton

Please vote No! I am a retired public school teacher who sent her children to Catholic schools and I believe in school choice. Underfunding the public schools does NOT give parents a fair choice between public and private school. In fact, a 1.75% SSA increase is a slap in the face to all of the hard working teachers, administrators and employees of our public schools. Every child in our state deserves a fully funded public school.

02-03-2026

Nick Covington

Vote NO on SSB3100. A 1.75% funding increase is wholly inadequate.Supplemental funding increases have exceeded inflation just four times since 2011, which means public schools are asked to do more and more with less and less. It means larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and even less support for kids who need it most. At the same time, taxpayers will be on the hook for funding millions more into an unaccountable parallel private education system that can freely discriminate against students and families. In my decade as a high school teacher, I saw my own class sizes balloon, enriching course offerings cut and students in special education failing to have their needs met, all while elected lawmakers scolded us to do more and more with less and less. When did Iowa's world class public schools become "failing schools"? When the state abandoned its obligation in order to pursue a narrow political agenda of privatization. Vote NO on SSB3100.

02-03-2026

Kelly Jones

I am against SSB 3100. Proposing a 1.75% increase for our public schools is not adequate to support effective and efficient school systems; and certainly does not consider inflation. Educating our children shouldbe a priority investment to grow our economy, enhance the well being of our citizens and maintain viable communities. Please vote no!

02-03-2026

Charmayne Charmayne

Please vote against this bill. The Senate proposal is 1.75%, which is significantly lower than inflation, and even lower than weve seen the last few years. This will force almost every district in the state to levy property taxes per the budget guarantee, cut teachers and staff, and cut student course offerings. Our schools CANNOT afford this. It is outrageous to continually increase vouches at the expense of our public schools.

02-03-2026

Jordyn Beranek

As an educatorintraining, I urge you to vote no. A 1.75% funding increase wont cover inflation, let alone rising costs for special education, mental health support, and literacy interventions. This bill forces teachers and paraprofessionals to do more with less as our colleagues leave the state or the profession entirely. This bill abandons Iowas most vulnerable learners.

02-03-2026

Katy Swalwell [Past Present Future Consulting & Media LLC]

This bill is a slap in the face to all Iowans and the proud legacy of strong public schools for which we used to be known. Failing to ensure that the next generation of Iowans are healthy, literate, compassionate, and equipped to dream big not only denies children their right to be educated but fundamentally undermines our democracy and economy. Fullyfunded public schools are a rising tide that lifts all boats. SSB 3100, on the other hand, is a shortsighted, illconceived failure of leadership. At the very least, funding for public schools should at least keep up with the rate of inflation.

02-03-2026

Erin Folker

I oppose this bill because it fails to provide adequate and sustainable funding for Iowas public schools. While it adjusts the state percent of growth and related formulas, it does not keep pace with rising costs districts are already facing, including staffing, special education services, transportation, and inflationary pressures. Shifting or modifying property tax replacement payments also risks increasing inequities between districts and placing a greater burden on local taxpayers.Public schools need predictable, meaningful investment that supports student learning and staff retention across all communities, not incremental changes that fall short of actual needs. This bill does not sufficiently prioritize longterm educational stability or fairness, and for those reasons, I urge legislators to vote no.

02-03-2026

Mica Boulton

I would encourage legislators to oppose this bill at this time. More research needs to be done. The legislature has generously funded school vouchers that benefit a much smaller number of students than are enrolled in public schools. The proposed level of funding for public schools is inadequate and will continue to take away from the majority of students in Iowa. This poor level of funding will be particularly devastating to rural districts, already struggling due to years of underfunding. I would encourage a 5% vs 1.75%. Thank you for your consideration.

02-03-2026

Shelly Northway [Ankeny School Board Director]

I am here to advocate for a 4% Supplemental State Aid (SSA) rate. Data from Representative Ryan Weldon shows statewide enrollment is down by 7,336 students. This means the state can fund a 4% increase for $132 millionwhich is actually $2 million less than last year's $134 million allocation.A 4% rate is the only fiscally responsible choice for two reasons:Property Tax Relief: Low state aid forces districts into the 'budget guarantee,' funded by local property taxes. A 4% SSA could reduce that local tax burden by up to 75% compared to a 2% rate.Fixed Costs: Schools face 34% increases in nondiscretionary costs like property insurance, utilities, and health care. A 2% increase is effectively a budget cut.We have the resources to support our students more robustly than last year while spending less total state aid. I urge you to support a 4% SSA. Thank you.

02-03-2026

Larissa Boeck

OPPOSED.Supplemental State Aid is the most significant driver of the resources needed to deliver a highquality education, including recruiting and retaining great teachers. This bill would set Supplemental State Aid (SSA) at only 1.75% for the upcoming school year, an amount that does not come close to meeting the real cost pressures that schools face. Our school community has been actively calling for meaningful increases in state funding. Just last month, the school board where I live (Cedar Falls) passed a Public School Strong resolution urging the state to improve public school funding beyond the status quo. The request asks for SSA increases much closer to 5% and underscores how far the current proposal falls short of whats needed to sustain classroom excellence. Here is a copy of that resolution for reference: https://dx1slceezt1vd.cloudfront.net/attachments/28c0f52e3d16fc6fa196dbfd358665439a17fea8/store/adPlease vote NO on SSB 3100.

02-03-2026

Lauren Holst, LMSW

This bill makes a mockery of Iowans' interest in seriously investing in the public education of Iowa's children. Legislators who offer and would support this bill make it clear they are comfortable with degrading our public education system even further and preparing public school students for nothing more than a subsistence life. You have the public's attention on bills such as this and the public disagrees with such lowly goals for Iowa's children. I am against moving SSB 3100 out of committee. The pittance it offers for public education is not worthy of our state's children.

02-03-2026

Eric Coop

As a public educator, adequately funding education in our state should be a priority. As a relative of one of the members of the 1857 Constitutional Convention, the one that enshrined education as a foundational piece of that constitution, I find it abhorent that our current legislature chooses other priorities over providing adequate funding for our schools and educational facilities. As such, I urge the members of the subcommittee to vote no on this Senate Study Bill, go back, and provide adequate funding in excess of 4 percent, preferably 5 percent, so our schools have the funding to operate and educate the vast majority of the students in the State of Iowa and can begin the road to returning Iowa to the head of the class in regards to education in the United States.

02-03-2026

Julian Rachu

I am deeply dissatisfied that this bill proposes only a 1.75% increase in SSA an amount that falls below current inflation and interest rates. This is unprecedented and feels like a blatant disregard for public education. School employees work tirelessly, both inside and outside our schools, often far beyond contracted hours. At a minimum, their compensation must keep pace with the rising cost of living. Anything less undermines the value of their work and the future of our education system. I urge you to vote no on this bill and to reconsider.

02-03-2026

Nate Gruber [Cedar Falls Community School District Board of Education]

Im Nate Gruber a school board member in Cedar Falls, a former public school educator, and a public school parent.Please oppose SSB 3100 unless it is amended to protect public school funding. The bill sets the state and categorical percent of growth at 1.75% for FY27. That does not match real district cost growth (staffing, transportation, special education, utilities, materials). When state funding falls behind, students lose opportunities and local property taxes face more pressure.The bill also changes key formula and timing elements (including costperpupil and enrollment determinations), increasing uncertainty for responsible budgeting.Increase the growth rate and ensure no formula changes reduce resources for Iowa public school students.

02-03-2026

Brianna Spaulding

Please vote no! Public education is important for so many in Iowa and we need to be adequately funded so teachers and staff have the essentials to provide a good education for our youth. This is the foundation for the future of society, lets not abandon something so crucial.

02-03-2026

Julie Rosenbohm

I am submitting this comment as a community member and parent who cares deeply about the strength of our public schools. The proposed increase in state school funding falls short of last years 2.7% inflation rate in our area, which effectively functions as another reduction in real dollars for our schools, in a time when they are fighting additional loss of dollars from vouchers that send our public tax dollars to private schools. Districts across Iowa have already been managing yearoveryear funding constraints, and many are struggling to maintain staffing, programs, and essential student services. When funding fails to keep up with real costs, it ultimately affects the quality of education and the opportunities available to our children. I respectfully ask the committee to consider an increase that at least meetsand ideally exceedsthe inflation rate so that our schools can remain strong and continue to serve ALL students well not just those who can afford private school.

02-03-2026

Amber Evans

Please vote NO to SSB 3100.A funding increase closer to 35% is necessary just to maintain current services and preserve educational quality. Anything less represents a reduction in real dollars and undermines the stability of public schools. Investing adequately in education is an investment in our workforce, our communities, and our states future.Student needs have grown significantly. Schools are now addressing increased mental health needs, behavioral supports, and services for students living in poverty or experiencing trauma. These essential supports require trained staff and resources, not flat or nearflat funding.While I appreciate the desire for fiscal responsibility, a 1.75% increase is not sufficient to maintain current educational services for students, let alone meet the growing demands facing public schools.COMMUNITIES, STUDENTS and TEACHERS DESERVE BETTER than 1.75%!

02-03-2026

Bailey Galvin-Poellot

Against. As an educator and parent, I strongly encourage you to raise funding for Iowa Public Schools. We need adequate funding to supply ALL students with the resources, opportunities, and equipment needed to thrive and achieve success. We need adequate funding to supply ALL teachers and staff with the resources, planning time, and manageable work load to provide a great education to our students.

02-03-2026

Anna Blomberg

Please vote no. Public schools are integral to our communities. You cannot continue to fund them below inflation and expect positive outcomes. These children are our future and deserve your support. What will our future look like it we do not prioritize education now?

02-03-2026

Lisa Leslein

Please vote no!!! Our state continues to devalue and underfund our public school system! Inflation rate alone was above the proposed funding. Please increase funding to our public school systems to an amount that makes education sustainable for all in Iowa and stop pushing so much state tax payer money into private schools. The people who choose to enroll into private can already afford this expense and do not need the vouchers. People who can not afford private, equally cannot afford it on voucher alone. Iowa law makers needs to support our public school system, it seems currently you all want it to fail and push private only option. Do better Iowa!

02-03-2026

Amy Spike

VOTE NO. Im writing to express my frustration and concern with the Senates proposed funding for public schools. Quite simply, it is not acceptable and does not reflect what our schools actually need.A 1.75% increase in Supplemental State Aid sounds meaningful at first glance, but in reality it amounts to about $10.5 million in new spending. Once you factor in declining enrollment costs already built into the current budget, that increase translates to only about a 0.27% real increase in school funding.At the same time, state revenue is projected to grow by 4.2%. When that growth is combined with enrollment changes, the buying power available for public schools in FY27 is estimated at $140.9 million. Yet the Senate proposal offers just $10.5 million of that total.That is roughly 7 cents on every dollar the state is projected to be able to afford for public schools. NOT ENOUGH, NOT ACCEPTABLE

02-03-2026

Kristofer Williams

Hello,To those concerned, Iowa is not ranked among the top states for education. Pulling Funding to subsidize corporate tax cuts is NOT going to help things. As legislators continue telling us, "we aren't to blame, and everyone judges us so much, no one is telling us they don't like our policies, talk to us." HERE IS YOUR SIGN! Stop it. Kraayenbrink you are specifically the one who was saying this at the eggs and issues on Saturday, consider meeting your constituents where they are at, not screening their questions, making them come to you the ONCE a month you make yourself accessible.

02-03-2026

Jim Green

The Iowa public school system has been shortchanged for the past decade. I am shocked that the Senate Rs would even consider the 1.75% SSA figure. I have served over 30 years as a school board member to help improve our system. This bill does just the opposite. Please reject this draft of SSB3100 and come back with a bill that provides adequate funding for our future adults.

02-03-2026

Emily Reiter

I strongly oppose this and urge you to vote no. This proposal doesnt even cover inflation and our public schools continue to be underfunded. It is an absolute disgrace in a state that once could be very proud of our public education system please give our public schools the proper funding they need in order to give our students the education they deserve.

02-03-2026

Teresa Wellman

Please vote NO to this proposal. Iowa has and is actively squandering what was once an education system that was a source of Midwest pride. Continued reduction of public school funding over the increase in voucher spending hurts everyone. People are actively leaving the state. Companies wont come here if their employees cant get good public schools. The backwards actions of this legislature are turning IA into KS and MO. Shame on you!

02-03-2026

Liz Conklin

Im strongly opposed to this bill. Frankly funding at a 1.75% level is a slap in the face to our school system. Our public schools have been underfunded for years. The SSA amount hasnt kept up with inflation. Its past time to correct this mistake. Fully funding pulic schools is the best investment we can make for our children and our state.

02-03-2026

Anna Burnham

I strongly oppose this bill. 1.75% does not even keep pace with inflation. Public schools have been underfunded for so many years that their budgets are stretched to the limit. And trying to get a bond pass is difficult at 60%. It is nearly impossible. Please vote this bill down.

02-02-2026

Katherine Stratman

This is not propublic education because the rate of increasing resources is far less than inflation and the extra perpupil increase is minimal and only temporary. We need to invest in our public education for the betterment of all of Iowa.

02-02-2026

Grace Rogers

AGAINST. As a parent of elementaryaged children in Iowa public schools, I urge you to vote NO on SF 3100. A 1.75% SSA increase is not adequate and does not keep pace with inflation, meaning schools lose purchasing power even when funding increases. Iowa already spends over $2,700 less per student than the national average and ranks in the bottom third of states for perpupil funding. Because staffing costs make up the majority of school budgets, districts cannot absorb rising costs without making cuts. When SSA falls short, the result is larger class sizes, fewer support staff, outdated materials, and increasing difficulty retaining teachers. School boards and educators across Iowa have been clear that current funding proposals are not sustainable. Underfunding today undermines student learning, workforce preparation, and the longterm strength of our communities. Please advocate for an SSA that keeps pace with inflation and the real costs of delivering a worldclass education.

02-02-2026

Emily Murphy

As a parent, this is alarming. This amount is less than inflation after years of small percentages. Anyone supporting this is showing how against they are of all students being educated. The legislature is hoping people don't notice that they have been working to weaken public schools. Every person should want strong public schools. People cannot pretend that money doesn't make a difference.

02-02-2026

Kelly Plumber

Against. Why is this legislature hell bent on funding charter indoctrinationschools and drastically underfunding PUBLIC schools, as our national education ranking has plummeted since I was attending school here? 5% funding should be the standard for our schools. MINIMUM. As I grew older, folks I knew that had moved away from the state would return, expressly for the good education our state could provide for their new families. We're kidding ourselves to think anybody is coming back here for that now... but it's fixable.

02-02-2026

Jennifer Proctor

No!Iowas children, teachers, and school administrators have been forced to cut from their budgets annually as the SSA % has not matched inflation for the past 10 years. As a state, we need fund what is most important and investing in our future generations should be at least 4% or more.ESA funding should be audited and private schools receiving public funds need to meet the same standards (audits, reporting, and transparency) that public schools do. Our students deserve better (as do their teachers, parents, and communities). Property tax increases are the direct result of underfunding public schools for the last decade and communities making up the difference as most Iowans value public education.

02-02-2026

Sarah Shatzer

STRONGLY OPPOSE. With the current rate of inflation, an allowable growth of 1.75% would exacerbate the financial decline that Iowa school districts are already experiencing. Rather than a decrease in allowable growth, we need an increase to at least 2.5%.

02-02-2026

destini Hoth

Im concerned about the proposed SSA increase for FY27. A 1.75% increase equals $10.5M, only 0.27% of total school funding after accounting for enrollment decline. With projected state revenue growth of 4.2%, public schools could have $140.9M in buying power, yet the Senate proposal only offers 7 cents on the dollar. Meanwhile, charter schools get public money with little oversight, even though 25% close in 5 years and 50% in 15 yrs. Our students and teachers deserve real funding and accountability! Please prioritize funding that truly supports Iowas students, teachers, and public schools.

02-02-2026

Denise Krefting

AGAINST. As a grandparent. of school age children in Iowa public schools, I urge you to vote NO on SF 3100. Im really frustrated by the voucher mentality that the state of Iowa has gone through. Robbing public schools to pay for vouchers and allowing their use of public school resources is continually double dipping. If you have money for that, then you have money for public schools. Increase the amount.

02-02-2026

Cindy Newton [Educator and Public School Parent]

As a public school teacher, I see every day what our classrooms actually needand this proposal falls far short.The Senate is offering seven cents on the dollar for public schools. A 1.75% SSA increase sounds reasonable until you do the math: about $10.5 million, which amounts to just a 0.27% increase after accounting for declining enrollment costs.Meanwhile, state revenue is projected to grow 4.2%. When combined with enrollment losses, the state will have $140.9 million in buying power for public schools in FY27.The Senate is proposing $10.5 million of that $140.9 million. Thats not a serious investment in students, educators, or the future of public education.

02-02-2026

Colleen Knipper

Against. 1.75% is less than the rate of inflation. We need a percentage equal to rate of inflation to break even, and avoid significant cuts to public school services, staff and resources. Public schools still educate the vast majority of students in our state. Lets fund them like the priority they should be. After years of SSA increases lower than inflation, anything less than 4% is unacceptable for our kids and for the hardworking teachers and school staff supporting them.

02-02-2026

Amy Lindaas

We can give a 44% increase to private school students by removing the income limits on vouchers, but we cant even muster adequate funding for public school students?! No way, you can do way better than barely 2%. This is absolutely unacceptable. Iowans will definitely work hard to find legislators that will work to invest in over 90% of Iowas kids enrolled in public schools.

02-02-2026

Stacy Volmer

I strongly oppose Senate Study Bill 3100. Setting the state and categorical percent of growth at just 1.75 percent amounts to a real cut to public education and fails to keep pace with inflation or rising school costs.A token $5 perpupil increase in FY 2026, followed by a return to an already inadequate formula, does nothing to address years of underfunding. This bill forces school districts to continue cutting programs, increasing class sizes, and struggling to retain educatorsall while student needs grow.Iowa must reprioritize public education with funding that reflects real costs and our constitutional responsibility to students. This bill falls far short. I urge you to reject SSB 3100 and pursue meaningful, sustained investment in Iowas public schools.

02-02-2026

Jessica Roman

AGAINST. No one can run a household or a business with income that routinely falls below the price of operation; schools are no different in that aspect, but schools have no way of generating additional revenue. A decade of subinflation funding has taken a serious toll on Iowa schools, as reflected in fewer teachers & staff, increased class sizes, increased behavior problems, reduction of fine arts programs, reduction in high school course offerings, fewer school counselors and nurses, and dropping national rankings. 1.75% will force almost all of Iowas school districts on to the budget guarantee, increasing property taxes. Our smallest districts will close, leaving communities without their schools. Fund. Our. Kids.

02-02-2026

Kris Baldwin

STRONGLY AGAINST. 1.75% is way below the rate of inflation. Due to underfunding for too long we NEED a percentage above the rate of inflation to avoid significant cuts to public school services, staff and resources. Public schools still educate the vast majority of students in our state. Lets fund them like the priority they should be. Please fund public education! Our kids deserve it!

02-02-2026

Carrie Dodd

Strongly Against! 1.75% is a joke and a disgrace!!Public schools have not been properly funded in well over a decade and schools have already cut as much as they possibly can. We are now at the point where larger programs (like orchestra) are being cut, along with huge reductions in staff/or not replacing retiring teachers. All of this comes at the cost of our public schools, students, and teachers. Iowa used to be first in the nation, and we are now on our way to the bottom because of private and charter schools taking money that belongs in public schools. Public schools deserve PUBLIC money! Stop giving public money to private/charter schools who do not have to adhere to the same standards, testing requirements, transparency, or student populations as public schools, and who only serve a VERY small fraction of the students in our state. Enough! Fund our public schools!!

02-02-2026

Lori Lyon

This, along with property tax reform, will quickly put every Iowa School District on the budget guarantee making property owners responsible for keeping the school doors open through increased property taxes. It seems counterproductive.

02-02-2026

Kahri Plein

I strongly oppose this bill because it underfunds Iowas public schools again. Public schools are accessible and open to ALL Iowa children. Leaving them with a lack of resources, including highly qualified teachers, is a way to ensure they will fail. As a parent, teacher, and community member I am not okay with failing Iowas children. You should not be okay with failing our children either. Instead, please introduce legislation that funds our children so that we can make our state a place where people want to return to work and raise their families.

02-02-2026

Roxanne Cumings [Taxpayer, Voter, Grandparent of Public School Children and Retired Educator]

I strongly oppose SSB 3100. Setting the state and categorical percent of growth at just 1.75 percent amounts to a real cut to public education and fails to keep pace with inflation or rising school costs. Iowa has had multiple years of underfunding for public education and continuing this travesty is unacceptable. Iowa must take steps, led by our legislators, to make public education a priority and that includes funding that reflects real costs and funding that fulfills our moral and constitutional responsibility to the children in public schools across Iowa. This bill falls far short of this goal. I implore you to please reject SSB 3100 and pursue meaningful, sustained investment in Iowas public schools. Anything less is an insult to the dedicated staff in our public schools and to Iowas children who will be the backbone of our communities.

02-02-2026

Jennifer Hermsen

Oppose. State supplemental funding for public schools has been insufficient for years. It is unconscionable that the state would provide unlimited perpupil funds for private schools, yet keep public school funding increases below the rate of inflation. This amounts to another funding cut for public schools and the students they serve.

02-02-2026

Cecilia Roudabush

Please state the practical, sustainable, value per dollar reason(s) behind an increase to 44% for private school vouchers and a decrease to 1.75% for public school funding. This appears to be impractical, not sustainable and valuable only for a few. I ask you to reject this bill!

02-02-2026

Angelica Vannatta

Strongly oppose. Fund schools at (a minimum) 45% SSA. As a grandparent of kiddos in public schools, I've seen firsthand how an investment in education is rewarded tenfold with positive academic and socialemotional outcomes. I cant stress enough how critical adequate funding is to ensure that all students receive a highquality education, especially students who cannot access nonpublic options due to geography (many rural districts), disability, behavioral needs, or cost barriers.Without adequate dollars, were looking at larger class sizes, fewer teachers and support staff, deferred building maintenance, and outdated technology. All of which will continue to erode student achievement, accelerate teacher burnout and turnover, and leave districts unable to plan sustainably.Ultimately, all of this undermines our workforce pipeline and weakens our economy. This is a slippery slope, and we've been sliding downhill for a while now, so recovery will not be quick or easy.

02-02-2026

Sam Edmondson

School Leaders have been asking for more funding. I think its worth mentioning that SSA funds effect ALL students. Not just those in public education. Private schools are effected negatively as well as they will receive less money from per pupil expenses. But public schools are especially at risk of losing more necessary staff and resources. Waterloo is already cutting so many positions. They join most urban school districts. The legislature can blame misuse of covid funds, but doing so is not finding a solution to the problems that be. Regardless of fault, urban and rural districts alike are losing their resources. If you don't find this to he a solution, then it is your responsibility to find another one. When you do so, it is your responsibility to look voters in the eye and tell them whether or not it worked. The ball is in your court.

02-02-2026

Lindsay Julich

Strongly oppose. Underfunding public schools shortchanges our kids, our teachers, and our futureforcing larger class sizes, fewer resources, and fewer opportunities. If we want strong communities and a strong economy, investing in public education isnt optional, its essential.

02-02-2026

Beth Kroymann

I cannot understand why we as a state choose to not prioritize our future. As a teacher and parent, I am concerned about teachers who are expected to do more with less funding. We are given students with so may needs and issues and we dont have the support that is needed. The issues and needs of todays students is not the same as 20 years ago. You want us to be one of the top states in education, then fund education and make it a priority! Our children deserve a topNotch education!

02-02-2026

Hillory Jaco

Im strongly against this pitiful increase. The best way to invest in Iowa and our future is to properly fund public schools and 1.75% is abysmally low. Public education is truly the great equalizer when you invest the proper resources for students show that you care about ALL Iowa kids, not just those in private schools.

02-02-2026

Brice Plein

I strongly oppose this bill. I may live out of state but still strongly support the work that all educators in the state of Iowa provide. This bill, in my opinion, disenfranchises the vast majority of students in Iowa from the public funding necessary to give all students in the state a quality education. The state should not put large groups of students who rely on public funding behind to enrich a minority of students. Quality educators are being held hostage by these changes and it is creating a divide within the state. The attention should be focused on the well being of the entire state and not locality based funding.

02-02-2026

Kate Davies

As a public school parent, I STRONGLY OPPOSE this bill! This is so far below the 5% MINIMUM we should be receiving for our public schools. Strong public schools leads to strong communities! The voucher program and the severe lack of financial support and trust in our public schools is causing so much harm to our communities especially those who need it most! For many students, this is the only safe space they have; the only meals they get; the only opportunities they have to learn and grow and have someone believe in their potential and connect them to the opportunities to realize that potential. This funding increase is like kicking someone while theyre down. Our public schools are hurting badly because of the majority of our state legislators, and heres a chance to FINALLY make a positive impact on them! Please vote NO!

02-02-2026

Brittany Cooley

Strongly OPPOSE this bill! We must do better and fund public schools!! Voting for this would further dismantle public education in our state! Teachers and schools are absolutely drowning and this lack of increase is going to negatively impact our students and staff! Staff are spending their money more than ever and parent groups at schools funding projects that schools should have the resources for! The cost of everything is going up and this increase is not proportionate to our cost of living. We must fund PUBLIC education adequately! Kids are our future and lets fund public education and send a message that we support public schools!! Des Moines public schools is greatly suffering because of the lack of funding. We have very important teachers at risk being cut because of a lack of funding. This is absolutely unacceptable!!! Every message on here is saying we are NOT in favor of this bill. Please listen to your constituents and show us that our voice DOES matter!!

02-02-2026

Becky Lievens

Iowa is losing good educators to other states and dropping in national educational rankings, yet , instead of supporting public education, we make it impossible for districts to operator by not even providing enough money to cover the cost of living increase. Please do not support any bill that doesnt provide adequate money to public schools. Our students are worth it. Our future is worth it.

02-02-2026

Barbara Schwamman

This is an unacceptable rate for public schools . At 2% SSA Osage will receive 23,000 new dollars which is a far cry from the inflation that schools are facing. We have continued to make cuts but anything less than 3% is hurting public education in this state. Please reconsider and do better!

02-02-2026

Glenn Nelson

Strongly Opposed. This continues a long trend of continuing to reduce the resources necessary to give a quality education to our future generations. If an informed public is necessary for a strong democracy, who benefits from an poorly educated populace?

02-02-2026

Kaycee Schippers

ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Proposing a 1.75% increase for public school SSA is a slap in the face to 90% of the population of the state of Iowa. Why are you doing this? Everyone knows that you are intentionally starving public schools. Is this really what you want your legacy to be?

02-03-2026

Marilyn Stirler [Taxpayer and retired educator]

The legislature has generously funded school vouchers that benefit a much smaller number of students than are enrolled in public schools. The proposed level of funding for public schools is inadequate and will continue to take away from the majority of students in Iowa. This poor level of funding will be particularly devastating to rural districts, already struggling due to years of underfunding and the legislation two sessions ago that undercut AEA support for these same districtswhen the original intent of the AEA system was to level the playing field for them. Vote no on this inadequate funding measure.