Supplemental State Aid is the critical funding source for Iowa’s public schools. So far, the Iowa Legislature has failed to come to an agreement on a state aid rate. By law, school funding for this year was supposed to be set during the last legislative session, and fiscal year 2017 was supposed to be set in mid-February! The Governor has proposed, and the House of Representatives passed, legislation giving schools a 1.25 percent increase. The Senate has passed legislation giving schools a 4 percent increase. An agreement on the funding level has yet to be reached. 

Action Needed:
We urge all school board members and school boards to reach out and get your community involved in this advocacy effort. Reach out to local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, Student Improvement Advisory Committees, and the PTA in an effort to boost participation.

School boards should think about adopting IASB’s Supplemental State Aid Board Resolution calling for a 4 percent increase. School boards can also discuss submitting a letter to the editor or an opinion editorial to local newspapers highlighting the importance adequate funding has on getting Iowa to again have world class schools.

Key points to make:

• Ask legislators to quickly decide on a supplemental state aid rate.
• Talk about the negative effects of the rate reverting to 0 percent if no agreement is reached.
• Highlight innovative projects and accomplishments of students in your district and how program cuts would negatively affect students.

We encourage you to contact your legislators through all media platforms, whether it be email or social media Facebook, Twitter Instagram. Use hashtags #iaschoolfunding and #ialegis. If you send an email "CC" IASB by using the email address advocacy@ia-sb.org. Lets do all we can so legislators "Find a way to Yes" on behalf of Iowa's school children!