Two weeks ago the President signed into law a $26 billion dollar stimulus package. Part of that aid package was the Education Jobs Fund (Ed Jobs) program, a new federal program providing a one-time appropriation of $10 billion in assistance to States to save or create education jobs for the 2010-2011 school year. Of that $10 billion, Iowa’s portion looks to be $96,490,048. The bill passed the House on a near party-line vote after representatives were called back to session during the August recess to consider it.

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Yesterday Gov. Chet Culver committed the property taxpayer to another round of tax increases. He promised a 4 percent increase for fiscal year 2012 in allowable growth, the state aid provided to Iowa’s schools. According to the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency, Culver’s pledge would be roughly a $338 million increase in school spending authority. At a minimum, current law says $40 million would fall on the property tax payer.

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Governor Culver wants Iowans to believe that $100 million for about 10 hours of instruction a week is a bargain for government run preschool.

Here is what’s being left out the preschool discussion:

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Bill Gates invested $335 million last year to find out how to make K-12 teachers more effective. In making the announcement he said, “Unfortunately, it seems the field doesn’t have a clear view of what characterizes good teachers. I’m personally very curious.”

Enter Doug Lemov, a 42-year-old teacher of teachers, and his new book “Teach Like a Champion: The 49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College.”

Technique No. 1 is “No Opt Out. How to move students from the blank stare or stubborn shrug to giving the right answer every time.” His book is a dictionary of tips on how to get kids to pay attention in class.

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The break out of information from the Iowa Association of School Boards earlier this spring caused a knot in their operations. For a time they were without an executive director, a chief financial officer, and a legal counsel or in other words, their entire executive team. The result of the media and legislative attention has caused the organization to look closely at their operational procedures and make changes accordingly. Here are a number of changes that the association has implemented recently to ensure tighter oversight:

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House Republicans addressed transparency for K-12 school funding in 2006, long before “transparency” became the battle cry of Iowa taxpayers. The problem is that four years later the law isn’t fully implemented.

In 2006, Republican chairperson of the House Education Committee, Rep. Jodi Tymeson, introduced House Study Bill 522, a bill referred to as the Taxpayers Right to Know Act. This bill became a House Education Committee bill, House File 2346 and then became law in the Vilsack/Republican negotiated education compromise bill, Senate File 2272

Today the House Republican’s Taxpayer Right to Know Act is Iowa Code section 279.63.

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Iowa school districts have a $40 million special education deficit.

Here’s why the issue needs a closer look:

• Iowa’s school aid formula already generates $380 million in state aid and property taxes to pay for special education. The $40 million deficit that automatically raises property taxes is what districts spent above and beyond the $380 million.
• Up until 2008, the deficit hovered around $20 million. In 2008 it jumped to $31 million and in 2009 to $40 million.

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As the House adjourned the 2nd session of the 83rd General Assembly, the House Republican Research Staff put together an end of session wrap-up of notable bills in all committees.

2010 End of Session Wrap-up

Teacher salaries are exempted from across the board cuts – now and in the future – through an unprecedented move by legislative Democrats. The special exemption is contained in the Education budget bill.

In addition, Senate Study Bill 3248 (now Senate File 2376) , the Education Appropriation bill, makes teachers the only professionals in the state that will immediately get the name of person filing a complaint against them. Iowa’s 32 other licensing boards don’t release the name unless it becomes a founded complaint.

The implications of exempting teacher pay from an ATB are far reaching.

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Rep. Chambers

Republican Representatives Royd Chambers (R-Sheldon), Annette Sweeney (R-Alden), Jeff Kaufmann (R-Wilton) and Pat Grassley (R-New Hartford) crafted legislation aimed at reforming the Board of Regents and their policies as an attempt to find more budget efficiencies and savings for the state.

“House Republicans took a serious look at ways to save Iowans money and help protect one of Iowa’s most vulnerable groups, it’s students,” said Rep. Royd Chambers. “We think this plan is a step in the right direction.”

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