One of the first obligations of the legislature each year is to set the level of the state’s contribution to K-12 schools. It is often referred to as State Supplemental Aid (or SSA) and is usually measured simply by the percentage increase year over year.
For example, SSA last year was set at 2.5% and 3% the year before. In her budget, the Governor recommended an increase of 2%. The total amount contributed to SSA was $3.651 billion in FY24, $3.743 billion in FY25, and, in the Governor’s proposal, would be $3.836 billion for FY26.
Since FY12, per pupil funding in Iowa has increased from $5883 to $7826. House Republicans support our public schools, and we are committed to ensuring they are funded at appropriate levels.
While inflation is coming down, the Midwest CPI (which measures the costs of goods and services in the Midwest) is 2.6% this year. That is why I am supportive of an increase to SSA of 2.6% to keep up with inflation. That level would be an increase in K-12 funding of $132.8 million over last year, approximately $30 million more than the 2% level.
Iowa Code dictates that the SSA level be set within the first thirty days of session. That deadline this year is February 13th. The Senate and the Governor are both proposing a 2% increase. While we continue to engage with them on how to best fund our schools, we are exploring other options to get more funding to our public schools – like increasing the per pupil equity funding, which would help both Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff schools. I am hopeful an agreement will be reached soon.
