What is Supplemental
State Aid (SSA)? Supplemental State
Aid is the most significant and equitable source of funding for Iowa
schools. Iowa law requires the
Legislature to set the growth rate for public schools and area education
agencies (AEAs) within 30 days of the submission of the governor's budget. School
boards and Area Education Agencies (AEAs) are calling on the legislature to set
a supplemental state aid at a rate that encourages continuous school
improvement and reflects actual cost increases experienced by school districts
and AEAs
What is the issue
with SSA? Our priority is to increase the state funding to build a strong
base for future education resources.
Although the revenue estimates indicate a very healthy Iowa budget, the
funding proposals that are being debated are wholly inadequate for our schools. School districts and AEAs are
united in the belief that SSA at 3-4% is needed to just keep pace with expenses:
however, this legislative session the Governor
proposed a 1.25% increase for supplemental state aid, the Iowa House passed
1.25%, and the Iowa Senate has countered by passing 4%.
What can I do? Please consider being an advocate for adequate
funding for schools. Every child needs a quality teacher, trained administrators, quality learning resources and technology, and a safe facility designed for student learning. Iowa schools deserve nothing less!
