The Iowa House passed a deal to increase K12 school funding by 2 percent for next year.
House lawmakers reached a deal after negotiating with Republican senators and the governor. The increase translates to $160 more funding per student compared to this year, to nearly $8,200 per student.
The proposal next heads to the Senate for a vote.
Democrats in the Legislature proposed a 5 percent increase, and say schools are already facing large deficits and are having to cut activities and staff.
Democratic Representative Heather Matson, of Ankeny, says the GOP proposal doesn’t do enough to keep schools out of survival mode.
“It's irresponsible to watch our public schools struggle year after year to make ends meet and ignore them when they tell you exactly what they need," Matson said.
Republican Representative Dan Gehlbach of Urbandale says the proposal accounts for lower enrollment across the state.
"That demographic reality, driven by lower birth rates, means fixed costs are spread across a smaller base, naturally boosting dollars remaining per student in the classroom," Gehlbach said.
Democrats say lower enrollment doesn’t mean costs will go down proportionally.
The bill passed 58 to 35 with five House Republicans voting against the proposal.
