HF 222 allocates hotel and motel tax revenue collected between August 23 and Labor Day to schools that begin their academic year after Labor Day. It creates an "alternate school start date fund" in the state treasury, managed by the Department of Education, which distributes funds to qualifying schools based on enrollment. Schools must meet the standard 1,080 hours of instruction (as if starting August 23, excluding weather-related closures) to receive funding. The funds are deposited into school districts' general funds as "miscellaneous income" but are not counted toward district costs.
This bill sets the state funding growth rate at 2.25% for Iowa's 2025 school budget year, directly affecting all public school districts in the state. It modifies how property tax replacement payments are calculated using student enrollment and previous funding formulas, while also adjusting transportation equity payments. The bill establishes a new school district funding supplement and updates the regular program state cost per student. These changes determine annual state contributions to schools for the 2025 budget cycle.
SF 199 repeals Iowa's education savings account program, which provided state funds for eligible students to cover tuition and related expenses at nonpublic schools. The bill removes this funding source and adjusts related calculations in school finance formulas that previously accounted for students using these accounts. It directly affects students who would have qualified for the program (enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12) for school years beginning July 1, 2025. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, ending the program's availability for future school years.
HF 272 establishes a tuition reimbursement program for Iowa teachers pursuing an advanced dyslexia specialist endorsement. It provides up to 75% of tuition costs (capped at two years) to teachers working in Iowa schools or area education agencies who are obtaining this endorsement. The program requires annual applications, teaching verification, and uses $335,000 in state funding for fiscal year 2025-2026. The College Student Aid Commission administers the program and reports annually on participation and spending.
HF 275 modifies Iowa's statewide preschool program enrollment rules to prioritize homeless children. The bill requires local preschool programs (operated by school districts) to give priority on waiting lists to children meeting the federal definition of "homeless individual" under 42 U.S.C. §11302(a) and (c). This change applies to all local programs approved under Iowa Code chapter 256C, ensuring homeless children are prioritized when spaces are limited. The bill does not alter other program requirements like teacher ratios or learning standards. It directly affects preschool programs and homeless children seeking enrollment in Iowa's statewide preschool system.
SF 194 establishes a state-administered "educator supplement for all fund" to increase compensation for school district staff. It requires school districts to pay licensed educators (excluding administrators) an additional $5,000 annually and teaching assistants 10% of their base salary each year, on top of existing pay. The fund, financed through state appropriations starting July 2025, ensures districts can meet these new requirements. This bill directly affects teachers, certified staff, and teaching assistants in Iowa public schools.
HF 273 requires Iowa school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to adopt a policy by December 31, 2025, prohibiting student use of personal electronic devices (like cell phones or smartphones with internet access) during classroom instruction. The policy must allow exceptions for educational use by teachers, emergencies, health management, and students with IEPs or 504 plans. Schools must make the policy publicly available online, include it in student handbooks, and notify parents through email, mail, or a note. This bill directly affects all public and accredited nonpublic schools, students, and their families by establishing clear rules for device use during learning time.
This bill requires Iowa public schools to create a list of industry-recognized credentials for high school students (grades 9-12) aligned with career pathways, and develop a transcript seal for students earning these credentials. It mandates career exploration in middle school (grades 5-6 and 7-8) through curriculum including career investigation and connections, helping students plan their academic paths. School districts must confidentially report student credential attainment to the education department and apply the seal to transcripts or issue a certificate for qualifying graduates. The policy directly affects Iowa public school students, districts, and the Department of Education.
SF 206 allows Iowa school districts to use revenues from their district management levy to fund teacher recruitment and retention incentives. The bill sets specific limits: incentives cannot exceed 10% of an initial teacher's salary annually and must end after five school budget years. School districts may choose between this program or early retirement benefits, but cannot use both simultaneously or within five years of adopting the other. It requires public comment before adoption and prohibits using levy funds for early retirement costs in the same fiscal year as recruitment/retention incentives. This directly affects school districts seeking to address teacher staffing challenges through financial incentives.
HF 215 requires Iowa school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to provide age-appropriate child sexual abuse and assault awareness education to students in kindergarten through sixth grade. It mandates schools to develop and distribute materials for parents covering topics like recognizing unsafe touch, internet safety, and reporting resources, and to incorporate model guidelines into K-6 curricula. The bill also establishes continuing education requirements for educators on prevention topics and specifies that school districts will fund implementation using existing state foundation aid. This legislation directly affects all K-6 students and schools across Iowa by creating standardized prevention education and resource materials.
