In education sub-appropriations today, a bill passed out of committee on a straight party-line vote. Republicans against and Democrats in support.
5090 – The bill creates a myriad of new policies. Several of these areas are extreme changes that have been developed by the Iowa State Education Association (union) to payback teachers for previous salary cuts.
The bill requires all schools to repay teachers salaries for any funding that has been cut for professional development and teacher quality. Many schools cut 10% of these funds through the across the board cut which occurred in October. This bill states, this money must be paid back and no cuts may be made to these areas in future budgets.
The School Board Association received a declaratory ruling by the Dept. of Education that approved these cuts. The teachers union saw this as an infringement on teachers salaries and demanded pay back for the cut funds through this bill.
The following school districts, in my area, will need to pay back the teachers the following amounts:
Akron/Westfield – $25,562
Boyden/Hull – $30,551
Central Lyon – $33,457
George Little Rock – $24,612
Le Mars – $105,201
MOC/FV – $65,497
Rock Valley – $27,914
Sioux Center – $49,214
West Lyon – $35,379
West Sioux – $36,510
Northwest AEA – $112,229
The payback could likely come from property taxes. And, property taxes will be increased because school districts will need to use other money to pay for general school costs. Teacher salaries are off limits.
It seems the Iowa State Education Association again has NO regard about whether schools have enough money to stay open in rural Iowa. It’s all about making sure teachers get their salary without any cuts. This bill is bad for; kids, property owners, and school districts. Everyone loses but the teachers.