Hunter
09/03/24
A report released last week by Democratic lawmakers says there has been a reduction of over 400 staff members at Iowa’s Area Education Agencies as the school year begins with the implementation of a new law changing the system of agencies.
Iowa Capital Dispatch reports state Representative Lindsay James said the reduction means that there will be fewer professionals at Iowa’s public K-12 schools providing “vital services” for students through special education, crisis intervention and mental health provisions, in addition to education support and professional development services.
The law, signed by Governor Kim Reynolds in March, shifts 60% of AEA funding for media and educational services to school districts. They can decide to buy specific services from an AEA, get similar services elsewhere or use the money for something different. Next school year, districts will have control over all of the media and education services money that previously flowed directly to AEAs. The law will also shift 10% of special education funding to school districts, leaving 90% with the AEAs.
AEA leaders say the new law hurts smaller school districts. One school superintendent who oversees two school districts with a total of about 1400 students says if she can’t get book sets, science kits and school improvement consultants through the AEAs next year, her districts won’t be able to afford them on their own.
AEA’s also say it’s getting harder to find staff because applicants are looking for job stability. With the AEA’s being short-staffed across the state, employees will have less time to devote to each school district.
Governor Reynolds called the staff departures as part of her goal to right-size the AEA’s so they can focus on improving outcomes for kids in special education.
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