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SAI Weekly Legislative Update – February 7, 2025
Week 4 at the legislature…….. Well, that month flew by!
The Education Committees in both chambers met and moved bills forward to the floor to be debated at a later date.
The Senate Education Committee moved the following:
SSB 1027 – Allows use of the Management Levy to develop a teacher Recruiting and Retention plan.
SSB 1036 – Start date – Says districts could start school as early as the Monday preceding the last Monday of August.
SSB 1025 – Would allow online assessments for online programs. We have concerns about implementation and potential costs on this one.
The House Education Committee moved these bills:
HF 60 – Addresses Budget issues for districts experiencing a natural disaster.
HSB 44 – Requires districts to provide additional instruction about careers in middle school grades.
Again, there were also a large number of bills that went through a subcommittee. Here are some of the more important ones:
SSB 1066 – Redefines Grooming behavior – We are working to make this better.
SF 82 – Would require potential elections for construction projects financed by revenue bonds. We don’t believe this is a good idea.
HF 113 – Would allow very small districts to use some categorical funds for some general education purposes, if approved by a district election.
SSB 1077 – Chronic Absenteeism Fix – It would move county attorneys to a more consistent stance, remove the requirement for certified letters, and give local officials some flexibility regarding absences and academic impact.
HF 33 – Would create a fund to provide dollars for extended contracts for agriculture education instructors.
SSB 1065 – Cell Phone/Devices – Creates policies for device usage during instructional time, provides training for staff on effects of social media, requires student instruction on that area, and requires districts to adjust emergency plans. The timelines for the DE and districts need to be fixed on this one.
HSB 107 – Attempts to find a way to lessen the requirements for bus drivers. We are working with several groups on this topic.
HF 136 – Proposes to eliminate schools being held accountable for students that drop out twice.
Below are some bills yet to have subcommittees but have been introduced by the Governor’s office:
SSB 1092 – Math Counts – Similar to Reading Initiative with improvement plans, also includes passing a required Civics test for graduates.
SSB 1100 – Governor’s Omnibus bill
- Removes the Tiers from last year’s TSS plan and creates a different adjustment.
- Allows an adjustment for incorrect BEDs data from last year. It allows for some flexibility for student teaching if the individual has substitute experience.
- Creates an out-of-state placement fund for reimbursement.
- Brings back Teach Iowa as the required system for posting job openings.
- Clarifies that retirees drawing IPERS can come back and be paid the $50M minimum.
FYI – This is a pretty good bill, and addresses some of the things we had issues with.
Advocacy actions:
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Talk to your representatives and communities about the impact of only
2% SSA. It actually increases property taxes for at least 159 districts that will be on the budget guarantee, is below current inflation (2.9%) and is below the CPI-U (~2.6%) that is used if you go to arbitration.
- Remind them that there are still staff openings that are being left open, or filled with the best option that you can come up with. Let them know what is really happening in your buildings to cover for a lack of qualified staff.
Final Thought:
There are a very large number of education bills, all of which vary from minimal support to unanimous support. Some of each will make it through, most will not. I will say that we are experiencing a more positive atmosphere this year, with some good legislation that will benefit kids, staff, and districts. I hope that continues throughout the session.
Hang in there, and keep doing your best!
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