This bill changes how school districts handle foundation property taxes in urban renewal areas. It prohibits automatically dividing these taxes between school districts and municipalities for urban renewal projects, instead requiring school districts to collect and keep all foundation property taxes (under section 257.3). School districts may voluntarily choose to pay some or all of these taxes to municipalities for urban renewal projects via a board resolution, but this is optional and does not affect state foundation aid. The policy applies to property taxes due in fiscal years starting July 1, 2027.
This bill establishes new formulas for calculating state funding increases for schools starting in 2026, directly affecting all public school districts. It modifies how property tax replacement payments are handled, changes transportation equity aid funding rules, and sets new methods for adjusting school district budgets based on enrollment changes. The bill also creates a salary supplement for education support personnel and includes funding appropriations to implement these changes. All provisions take effect for the 2026 budget year.
This bill modifies Iowa's charter school laws by eliminating "innovation zone schools" (a separate category previously allowed) and focusing solely on traditional charter schools. It requires the state board of education to be the sole authorizer for new charter schools, sets a 75-day timeline for application decisions, and mandates specific new requirements for all charter schools. These include developing math proficiency plans by 2025, creating family resources for math support, adopting device-use policies, and distributing updated U.S. civics tests to students. The bill directly affects all existing and future charter schools in Iowa, removing the innovation zone option and adding operational standards.
This bill (SF 2175) makes broad changes to Iowa's education system, primarily affecting charter schools, nonpublic schools, and public school districts. It modifies charter school funding formulas to include additional state cost components, adds charter school employees to the state retirement system, and allows students in charter or nonpublic schools to participate in public school sports under specific conditions (e.g., no prior participation by their school and payment of fees). The bill also designates charter schools as local education agencies for federal funding access and authorizes the Iowa Finance Authority to issue bonds for charter and nonpublic school facilities. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.
SSB 3100 establishes a 1.75% state percent of growth for school funding starting in the 2026 budget year (July 1, 2026), with a separate 1.75% categorical growth rate for specialized programs like transportation equity aid. It modifies how school districts calculate property tax replacement payments by basing them on weighted student enrollment and a formula comparing current and 2021 per-pupil costs, plus a fixed $153 base amount. This directly affects all Iowa public school districts receiving state funding, as it determines their annual property tax replacement payments. The bill sets the framework for future funding adjustments, requiring annual legislative action to set new growth rates after 2026.
This bill allows Iowa taxpayers to voluntarily contribute $1 or more from their individual income tax return to a public school checkoff fund. The fund, managed by the state department of management, collects these contributions annually and distributes them to school districts starting in 2027 based on each district's budget enrollment. School districts receive these funds as general revenue (not counted toward district costs) and may use them for any school purpose. The checkoff will appear on tax forms for the 2026 tax year, with contributions becoming available for school funding beginning July 1, 2027.
HF 2713 modifies several education policies in Iowa. It increases funding for charter schools by adding supplements for teacher leadership, salary, professional development, and early intervention to the standard per-pupil amount. The bill also requires charter schools to contribute to the Iowa public employees’ retirement system and designates them as local education agencies for federal funding. Additionally, it establishes rules allowing students from nonpublic or charter schools to participate in public school athletic programs under specific conditions, including paying equivalent fees. These changes apply to school budget years starting July 1, 2026.
SSB 3170 eliminates innovation zone schools (a specific type of public school) and makes the state board of education the sole entity authorized to approve new charter schools. It modifies charter school funding, operations, and requirements, including new mandates for math resources, student device policies, and civics testing for all charter and public schools. The bill also ensures charter school students can participate in public school extracurricular activities. These changes directly affect charter schools, their operators, and public school districts providing services to them.
This bill establishes a $250 annual stipend for eligible public school teachers in Iowa, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Eligible teachers are those providing primarily in-person instruction and employed by a school district before the school year begins. The stipend must be paid automatically by school districts by September 15 each year and can only be used for classroom supplies directly supporting student learning (e.g., books, technology, materials), not personal items. Funding comes from the state general fund, and the stipend is exempt from Iowa income tax.
HSB 719 establishes a competitive grant program within Iowa's Department of Education to help schools develop cardiac emergency response plans. It requires participating schools (including public districts, nonpublic schools, and charters) to implement specific safety measures like placing AEDs accessible within three minutes, training staff in CPR/AED use, and conducting annual emergency drills. The grants, funded through a new state treasury account, offset costs for creating these plans but must supplement, not replace, existing school funding. The program applies to all schools starting with the 2027-2028 school year.
