Hunter
03/19/24
Iowa Senate Republicans passed their version of the Area Education Agency overhaul bill Monday, despite objections from Senate Democrats and a coalition of school superintendents.
The Gazette reports the Senate proposal is similar to one presented by Gov. Kim Reynolds earlier this year, but significantly different from one that Iowa House Republicans passed last month.
A group of 32 superintendents across the state emailed all state legislators over the weekend expressing their opposition to the plan. They pointed out that rural school districts especially depend on AEA’s for critical support and the current model has been working well for decades.
Another smaller group of superintendents support the changes, saying that although they recognize the role that AEA’s play in supporting schools and educators, it’s essential to evaluate them and identify areas of potential improvement.
Currently, federal money is sent directly to the Area Education Agencies, who provide services to their school districts. The Senate bill changes it to have the AEA’s provide their services only if requested by a school district. It aligns more closely to Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal than the House version, but both would create an AEA oversight division in the state Department of Education.
During Senate debate on the bill, Democratic senator Sarah Trone Garriott accused Republicans of capitulating to the governor’s agenda and not listening to their constituents.
The Governor issued a statement thanking the Senate for passing the bill and said she looks forward to working with both the House and Senate to reach a compromise bill.