DES MOINES, Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF 2612, a bill that overhauls the funding and oversight of Area Education Agencies and raises teacher’s minimum pay, into law on Wednesday during a signing ceremony at the State Capitol building.
“I’m proud to sign legislation that further strengthens Iowa’s commitment to students, parents, teachers, and schools. This bill will improve special education for students with disabilities and raise salaries for new and experienced teachers – two foundational pillars of a world class education system which is exactly what we strive to provide for every student in our state. High quality teachers and instruction unlock the potential for student success, and this legislation delivers both,” she said.
The bill gives control of special education funding and media services funding to school districts instead of the AEAs. The bill states that 90 percent of the special education funding will remain with AEAs, while school districts will control ten percent. Federal special education money will continue to go to AEAs. The Legislative Services Agency analysis of the bill states that AEAs received around $156 million from the state for special education.
In the first year of the bill, 40 percent of the state’s media and general education services funding will go to AEAs and school districts will receive 60 percent. Schools can decide whether they will continue contracting with AEAs or use a private provider. The following year, school districts will receive 100 percent of the funding. LSA states that AEAs received from the state $35.7 million for general education services and $32.3 million for media services.
The bill also gives oversight of AEAs to the Iowa Department of Education under a new Division of Special Education.
The new law will raise the minimum teacher pay to $50,000 over the next two years and will gradually bump the pay for teachers with 12 years of experience to a minimum of $62,000. The bill earmarks $14 million that would give school paraprofessionals a raise.
Read the enacted bill below:
HF2612
