The Iowa Legislature > Committees & Schedules > Meeting Public Comments Print Icon Print

Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:
HSB 658
A bill for an act relating to public school funding by establishing the state percent of growth and the categorical state percent of growth for the budget year beginning July 1, 2022, modifying provisions relating to the regular program state cost per pupil, modifying provisions relating to the property tax replacement payment and the transportation equity payments, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2316.)
Subcommittee members: Dolecheck-CH, Kerr, Staed
Date: Tuesday, February 8, 2022
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: RM 102, Sup. Ct. Consult
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
Comments Submitted:

02-07-2022
Elinor Levin []
Iowa's public schools are already dramatically underfunded, and this 2.5% recommended increase continues the trend of not even meeting inflation. More and more teachers are leaving the profession due to lack of resources, claims of subversive intent, and concerns for their own safety.Yet, somehow, this bill expects districts and teachers to deliver improved outcomes with no improvement in financial or societal support from the state level. Please consider showing, financially, that the state of Iowa cares about our kids, our educators, and our civic future and funding at a 5% increase or above.
02-08-2022
Linda Schreiber []
Just like agriculture, public schools are one of Iowas most important assets. As a secondgeneration school board member (and past school board president), I am well aware of the important role that public schools have in our communities and our state's economy. Iowas public schools help mold our next generation of workers, volunteers and public servants all while they help form a character that counts. The divisive conversation around education has added stress not only for teachers but also parents, students and their communities and businesses that wonder where their workers will come from. Rural Iowa communities are hit the hardest. Without necessary funding, many schools have been forced to consolidate requiring children to commute farther to school. Iowa communities have supported schools with bond issues to improve facilities. Now those communities need funding assistance to operate their facilities and provide education at the highest possible level. Please provide the needed funding to keep Iowas education at a high level that will attract business and workers to our state.
02-08-2022
Vicki Aden []
Continuing to under fund public education in Iowa with increases that do not keep up with the rate of inflation, while sitting on a huge surplus is just plain wrong. Continuing to ask schools to do more with less while demanding they improve their outcomes is antithetical. Students and teachers deserve a return to the standard 5% increases that built Iowa's reputation as the leader in education, and was a large factor in attracting businesses and workers to the state. Please show you really care about Iowa's teachers and students and increase this funding back to the 5% annual level.