(The Center Square) – The Iowa House of Representatives will change how the state funds local education agencies amid criticism from some members that the bill is a “power grab” and unnecessary. passed the bill.
The AEA oversees special education services in the state. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in his State of the Nation Address that the nine districts are “operating without meaningful oversight.”
House Bill 2612 would transfer state funding from the AEA to local school districts, giving them more flexibility to contract for special education services with other providers. This bill does not affect federal funding that the AEA receives.
The Iowa Department of Special Education appoints 13 full-time employees to oversee the AEA and five full-time employees in each of its nine district offices, and ensures that the AEA is “compliance with all applicable federal laws related to special education.'' and ensure compliance with state law and review.” According to “Services Provided by AEA”: bill accounting notes.
Rep. J.D. Scholten, D-Sioux City, said the bill would hurt children.
“This bill is a power grab that concentrates power here in Des Moines instead of recognizing local systems that have worked for decades, even 50 years,” Scholten said.
HB 2612 also calls for the creation of a special committee to study the AEA, which Scholten and other Democrats said they would support if no other changes were made.
“What we need is a task force, not this bill,” said Rep. Art Stead, D-Cedar Rapids, adding that the bill should have been scrutinized more closely.
Parents packed the hearing room last week to protest the bill.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Schuyler Wheeler, said the bill has support.
“There are a number of superintendents who have actually publicly called for this bill to move further,” Wheeler said. “This bill was brought to us as a way to think about how to improve outcomes for students, especially students with disabilities.”
The bill passed by a vote of 52-41 and will be sent to the Senate.
Gov. Kim Reynolds thanked the House immediately after the bill passed.
“The AEA system is failing our students, national and state test scores show it, and the U.S. Department of Education tells us so. Improving student achievement is always at the forefront. ,” Reynolds said. “This system should provide transparency and accountability to the school district closest to the student and drive consistency across the AEA region to improve services for students with disabilities. That's what we heard from more than 100 school districts as we traveled through it, and we look forward to many more conversations as the bill moves forward.”
