Ragan Report

Senate votes to make school funding fairer
     Iowa’s approach to school funding has provided a strong foundation for the success of Iowa’s public schools and students, with the vision that every child is worth the same no matter where they live.
Iowa’s approach is more equitable compared to other states.  The Senate recently voted to increase funding to schools with high transportations costs.
     SF 455 is designed to equalize the amount school districts receive by increasing the statewide cost per pupil over 10 years and making up for the differences in transportation costs among districts. The chart below shows how much additional money our local schools will get.
     Transportation costs can siphon off a lot of dollars that could be going to a student’s education in the classroom. SF 455 starts to fix that disparity by offsetting transportation costs so each Iowa student really does get the same amount for their education once they arrive at the school doors. New funding will be phased in over 10 years.
School District      Amount district will receive when fully phased in
AGWSR $269,216.92
Alden     $154,435.18
Aplington-Parkersburg        $282,044.60
Belmond-Klemme               $189,063.49
Cal          $89,054.03
Central Springs     $435,225.49
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows     $553,598.55
Clarksville             $67,282.30
Clear Lake            $327,236.86
Forest City            $367,918.51
Garner-Hayfield-Ventura  $298,594.76
Hampton-Dumont              $250,362.70
Iowa Falls             $272,619.41
Mason City           $898,323.82
Nashua-Plainfield                $234,165.63
North Butler          $278,167.52
Waverly-Shell Rock            $494,111.23
West Fork              $365,725.51
     Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at (515) 281-3371 or (641) 424-0874. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.