Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

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, transportation equity aid funding, funding for school district budget adjustments, and school district enrollment, establishing an education support personnel salary supplement, making appropriations, and including effective date and applicability provisions. (Formerly SSB 3100.) Effective date: 02/26/2026, 07/01/2026. Applicability date: 07/01/2026.

Subcommittee members: Gehlbach-CH, Matson, Stone

Date: Monday, February 16, 2026

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: RM 103

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

Comments Submitted:

02-13-2026

Tim Glaza

I support fully funding our public schools at a 5% increase in State Supplemental Aid. Diverting $315 million of public money to unaccountable private schools is wrong and must be stopped.Iowa's legislators must support and strengthen public schools.

02-14-2026

Katie Stull Stull

Stronger funding of our schools is important. Our daughters classroom size continues to increase and our per student funding ratio isnt meeting needs today based on inflation and expenses increasing. We need to stop using what we used to believe about student needs and leverage current studies and resources to support our community both students and educators.

02-14-2026

Beth Roy

As an Iowan I had the opportunity to attend public schools and the University of Northern Iowa. The education I received was excellent and certainly contributed to the success I had in my career. Small class sizes, talented and gifted programs, music and debate were all part of my experience. In the last few years, since I have retired, I have had the opportunity to meet with Waukee students. They are impressive. I fully support a 4% increase in funding our schools. Nothing we do is more important than educating the children in our communities. That includes keeping class sizes small, providing additional support to them when needed, continuing high level music and science programs that encourage and tap their interest in future careers. The more we invest in public education and improving our graduation rates the more successful our communities will be. People who are seeking employment expect outstanding schools for their kids. Increase funding to 4%.

02-14-2026

Kim Tierney

I enjoy an incredible public education career here in Iowa. Its a passion of mine to ensure that we support our students well, and I believe we do a commendable job in Waukee however the work is getting harder, kids needs bigger, still we respond. I ask that you please consider supporting our SSA at 4% for the following reasons: Inflation is running at about 2.7%. Any SSA increase below that means our schools are losing ground Iowa's state revenue is projected to grow by 4.2%, and there are roughly 7,300 fewer students statewide. A 4% increase in SSA is both reasonable and achievable. Waukee CSD is also managing a $2.3 million taxcollection shortfall stemming from the Apple situation, which makes adequate state funding even more critical for our District.These students are our future. Our neighbors, our employees, our tax payers. Make the choice to serve them well. Thank you for your time and commitment to hear from your constituents.

02-14-2026

Julie Allen

Please give our public school students the best education possible. Iowa used to be a beacon for education. We need to keep that tradition alive, especially with so many people leaving our state. Fund our schools at 4%, or at least let the funding keep pace with inflation. We owe our children educational quality. We owe our communities, especially our rural communities, strong schools that keep those communities alive and thriving.

02-15-2026

KImberly Stone

Against 1.75% More funding for schools please!At the heart of many small communities lie Iowa PUBLIC schools. Many of us found confidence in a choir room, peace in a gym, creativity at an art table, or refuge in a library. Those spaces were not extras. They were essential.Todays children deserve the same opportunities. P.E., art, music, and library teachers build resilience, belonging, and confidence. They reach the child who struggles in math but shines in flag football, the child who feels invisible but finds a voice on stage. They are anchors in our schools.When funding falls short, these programs are often first to gonot because they lack value, but because districts face impossible choices. This is not partisan. It is about priorities.Our legacy will not be press releases. It will be whether we protected the experiences that shape childhood. Let us choose investment, connection, and a future worthy of Iowas children.

02-15-2026

Brandi Steck

As an Iowan who attended public school and a mother of two children who attend public school, I am appalled at the low rate increase. Public schools need to be funded at a 5% increase. Public schools have been underfunded for years. This is having a dramatic effect on the future of Iowa. Eliminate school voucher programs and fund public education!

02-15-2026

Armel Traore Dit Nignan

Iowa's school districts deserve a Supplemental State Aid rate of at least 4% for FY2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the Employment Cost Index for state and local government workers, the measure that captures what it actually costs to employ teachers and staff, grew 3.4% in the twelve months ending December 2025. With roughly 80% of every school budget going to salaries and benefits, ECI is the benchmark that matters, not consumer inflation. The current Senate proposal of 1.75% covers barely half the actual cost of labor, forcing districts to cut programs, increase class sizes, or shift the burden to local property taxpayers. A 4% SSA rate would, for the first time in over a decade, allow Iowa's public schools to keep pace with the real cost of educating our children.

02-15-2026

Brant Kassel

I am writing in opposition to this version of the bill. The 1.75% increase in school funding would be laughable if it wasn't so devastating. Our school is already facing cuts and reduced staffing and that is BEFORE the shortfall this funding increase will create. It really feels as if we are cutting out our nose to save our face. Surely the party of freeenterprise would understand that an educated, trained, and prepared school system would be a benefit for their businesses? Surely the party of fiscal conservatism would know that education pays for itself over time and that most of the folks who are in power are there because of great public schools that were funded at the time. And you all have the nerve to tell us to be grateful while you siphon millions towards unelected schools and organizations in the name of vouchers. Again, where is the party of responsible fiscal policy? They have been bought and paid for and should be ashamed to show their faces in public.

02-15-2026

Kimberly Stone

Against 1.75% Public schools build strong community. They are the cornerstone of small towns that are the backbone of Iowa. When funding does not meet the rate of inflation already strained systems are forced to cut programs. Teachers, coaches, and clubs that bring communities together are sacrificed and asked to do more with less. If our state truly wanted to be the leader in education it once was it would invest in schools not leave a smoldering wake of burnt out, underfunded, people that truly care about the future of Iowa. Show pride in our state leave a legacy of excellence choose to fund schools!

02-15-2026

Karen Olderog

Iowa Publuc Schools should not be underfunded at 1.75%. Our childrens education is a critical investment in their future. Please ensure that we fund public schools appropriately so we able to attract, and retain, quality teachers and materials. At a minimum 45% towards public schools should be passed. Iowa students deserve the best, not the least, we can do for them.

02-15-2026

Samantha Schrader

I am writing in opposition to bill SF 2210. A community is only as strong as its weakest school. You are weakening our communities and this state by cutting funding from public school even more than you already have. I use to be proud of Iowa. You all make me ashamed and embarrassed.

02-15-2026

David Anderson

At an absolute minimum, school funding ought to keep up with inflation. Given the 21st century economy and recent underfunding, public school funding ought to exceed inflation for at least the next few years. Vote No on SF 2201.

02-16-2026

Jayne Hansen

Stop systematically defunding and destroying public education in Iowa. Iowas kids deserve fully funded schools. Iowa communities both rural and urban deserve the benefits of a stable public education system. Please increase SSA over 4%.

02-16-2026

Nichole Singer

I am writing in opposition of sf2201. Youre failing all kids in Iowa. When our children grow up and realize how little their state invested in them and underpaid their beloved teachers, it will add to the reasons they move. Invest in population you're trying to keep. Show the youth youre willing to help them early and often. 4% is the bare minimum you should consider.

02-16-2026

Andrea Jacobs

Education should be treated like a right not a privilege. All kids deserve the same access to good education and a good learning environment. Underfunded public schools do not allow children to learn in the best way possible, nor do they allow children to reach their full potential. Funding schools should be our number one priority, as it benefits the entire state.

02-16-2026

Lauren Long

I am writing to urge you to oppose the current proposal for a 1.75% (or 2%) increase in school funding. This proposal does not keep up with inflation and is starving our local public schools.Our teachers and students deserve better than being asked to do more with less. These funding levels are forcing school districts to cut essential staff and programs, which will devastate our community's future. Please support a funding increase of at least 35% to ensure our public schools can maintain quality education and retain experienced personnel. Please invest in our children, not starve them.

02-16-2026

Amy Hamilton

Iowa schools need to be fully funded and supported. A 1.75% increase when state revenue is expected to grow 4.2% is not acceptable. Our school districts, teachers and staff are already stretched thin and our kids deserve better.

02-16-2026

Kristen Anderson

1.75% is insufficient. Our public education is worth funding. We need at a bare minimum 5%. My childs school is fcil bf extended core cuts that will negatively impact our community as a whole; this low funding will bring more cuts. Please increase funding to at least 5%

02-16-2026

Jessica Meier

Anything less than a 4% increase in SSA is inadequate and quite frankly insulting to Iowas public schools. Our public schools are doing great things with the small scraps the Iowa legislature has given them the past decade; imagine what they can do when fully funded. Prioritize our public schools by approving an appropriate funding increase of 4% or more.

02-16-2026

Michelle Howard

As a parent of two young children who will be entering Iowa Public Schools in the coming years and the wife of a public school teacher in Iowa, I am opposed to the 1.75% increase. Iowa public schools used to be top ranked and now have continued to slide down in national rankings at an alarming rate. Our children deserve better, our communities deserve better. The quality of public schools is a huge component of attracting families with children to our state. If we want to attract the best to our state, the public school funding needs to reflect that commitment.

02-16-2026

Alexis Schmidt

I urge you to provide a significantly greater increase in public school funding, as current levels are not keeping pace with inflation, rising operational costs, or the growing academic and mental health needs of Iowa students. Without meaningful investment, districts will continue to cut staff, increase class sizes, and reduce programs, weakening the quality of education and the future workforce of our state.

02-16-2026

Rebecca Shaw [Teacher]

As a teacher of over 20 years in different positions, currently residing for 17 years in my position now, our public schools deserve better! These students are coming to us every day, and we are their safety, their place to be, and sometimes the only place they can express themselves. They need more than the bare minimum. It is sad when people say it's about the children, yet they propose to offer the absolute bare minimum to actually help the children. If you want successful children, please put the money towards what you are suggesting. Help us as districts, help us continue to make these children grow into responsible adults that care about our future. Anything less is such a waste 1.75 is a waste. 4% and above is where it needs to be. Your job is to keep our teachers in positions, not drive them away. Keep students, not make them feel unwanted. DO YOUR JOB FOR THE KIDS. Just like us public teachers do every day! We give 1000% percent to them!

02-16-2026

Quenby Murphy

Iowas kids deserve a fullyfunded education therefore I oppose this version of the bill which does not do nearly enough to strengthen Iowas schools. Underfunding our public schools hurts all Iowans; it impacts our future workforce and will continue to make a difference in driving people out of our state instead of attracting more growth.

02-16-2026

nancy huisinga [icci]

1.75% is not sufficient in state supplemental aid to support the public school system. I support fully funding public schools and a SSA of 5%, no less. Funding private schools to the detriment of public schools cannot be legal, It's certainly not ethical or equitable. It seems like the oversight of public schools is punitive and the gross disregard for oversight of private schools will surely be a detriment to our state. Public schools are the foundation of the community and as the public schools deteriorate so do the neighborhoods and cities around them. It is the responsibility of the state to provide an educational opportunity to all. 5% would be a good start for the state to support an education for all.

02-16-2026

Anna Villareal

As the a parent of a young child who will be entering Iowa Public Schools next year and the child of a dedicated Iowa Public School teacher of more than 40 years, I am opposed to the 1.75% increase. Iowa public schools used to be top ranked and now have continued to slide down in national rankings at an alarming rate. The quality of public schools is a huge component of attracting families with children to our state. It directly impacts our economic growth and forward progression. The funding of public schools needs to reflect a dedication to our state employees, children and future growth.

02-16-2026

Alex Michenfelder

This is not sustainable at 1.75%. Havent you seen all the schools in Iowa (especially small town schools) struggling to survive? If a town loses its school, it ceases to be a town. The rate needs to be at least 4% or higher to keep schools fully funded.

02-16-2026

Amber Capps

I am writing to oppose the inadequate funding of SF 2201. When I relocated back to Iowa 17 years ago, I assure my theneducator husband that our children would grow up with the same access to public education that I received in the 1980s and 1990s growing up here. Sadly, that is not the case as Iowa government continues to devalue public education in favor of a growing economic surplus. Rest assured, we are not planning to stay here, and are encouraging our children to do the same, unless Iowa is able to return to its education first values. Represent Iowa, and vote NO.

02-16-2026

Ginalie Swaim

Iowas children deserve better. Education lifts up a child. It levels the playing field with other states, states where our children might move to after graduation. It strengthens our state if they choose to remain here. Nothing looks easy in the years to come. Education is THE most valid way to enter into the years ahead. Thank you.

02-16-2026

Emily Weaver

Please just fund the schools; do not cut funding. My children have already missed opportunities because of lack of funds. I dont want them to lose additional opportunities as they get older and prepare for postsecondary life. I want to keep them in a public school in Iowa, but I also want them to get a quality education. I dont want our family to have to choose.

02-16-2026

Allison Uhll

Please fund our schools sufficiently. At the very very least this means keeping up with inflation. Iowans can see your intentional effort to starve public schools in order to profit off the private and voucher systems. We see it, we know what you are doing. That is unethical. Please leave our young childrens future out of your personal profiteering. Iowa was once known for our public education system, we can get back there anytime we want, if we have leaders who will take their feet off our necks.

02-16-2026

Laura Hanson

Please stop underfunding our public schools. A 1.75% to 2% increase is not enough to account for inflation and to keep Iowa Public Schools reputation as one of the best in the country. Our schools are why so many choose to live in Iowa. Dont make them the reason people have to leave.