Central Rivers AEA and local school district leaders respond to recent legislation | Latest updates on News, Sports, and Job Opportunities

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the Area Education Agencies (AEA) reform bill into law last Wednesday, just a day after the Iowa Senate approved the legislation. House File 2612 (HF2612) passed the Senate on March 26 with a 30-18 vote, creating challenges and unknowns for the Central Rivers AEA and area school districts.

Central Rivers AEA Chief Administrator Joel Pedersen expressed disappointment with the bill and the process, stating that the system, built over 50 years, was changed quickly. Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Theron Schutte acknowledged the swift movement of the bill and is now working with the AEA to determine the best way forward.

The law impacts teacher salaries, increasing starting salaries to $50,000 and providing raises for support staff. While larger districts like Marshalltown may not be significantly impacted, smaller districts could struggle to meet basic needs.

North Tama Superintendent David Hill expressed concerns about the long-term stability of AEA services, especially in special education. The law also changes state special education funding, allocating 90% to AEAs starting in 2025-26.

The signed law will send 60% of media services money to districts and 40% to AEAs, with 100% going to districts in 2025. The challenge for districts like Marshalltown is adjusting to a paid-for-service model they did not request.

Overall, the law creates uncertainty for districts and AEAs, with decisions on services and partnerships needing to be made in the coming years. The impact on staff and funding remains a concern for educators and administrators alike.