Iowa Senate Education Committee Republicans passed a bill Thursday that requires public schools to allow students who live in the district but attend a nonpublic school to participate in a competition that is not offered by the nonpublic school. The addition of nonpublic school students will not be allowed to impact a school’s classification either.
Democrat State Sen. Claire Celsi offered an amendment to the bill that she said would have allowed public school students to participate at nonpublic schools in their programs that aren’t offered at public schools.
Democrat State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott spoke in favor of that amendment, noting if a requirement will be put into law, it should go both ways.
Democrat State Sen. Molly Donahue said she has coached and received students from private schools.
“That does put somebody in the public school out of a seat on that bench,” she said. “But that’s also OK as long as it’s equal.”
Celsi said it is “very clear” private school families believe they have “some sort of privilege” due to Education Savings Accounts.
“That actually makes them more equal to everyone else that is receiving public school money for their school funding,” she said.
Republicans defeated the amendment and advanced the legislation to the Senate floor. The bill is being managed by State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink.
