DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa House and Senate have passed a final bill to reform Area Education Agencies (AEA) in Iowa, which now goes to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk to be signed into law.
Tuesday's vote comes after a series of debates and rewrites. Previously, the Iowa Senate rewrote the House's version of the bill before sending it back for debate. After the House added a whopping 49-page amendment, it passed 51-43. Tuesday's debate in the Senate ended in a 30-18 vote, pushing the bill forward.
The bill waiting for Reynolds' signature includes increasing the minimum annual salary for first-time teachers. Reynolds first mentioned her intentions for the bill in her 2024 Condition of the State Address.
The law would increase educators' annual salary from $33,500 to $47,500 in the 2025 fiscal year. Then, in the 2025 fiscal year, teachers would receive an increase to $50,000.
Through an amendment, the law would also establish a minimum salary for those with a valid teaching license and who have taught for at least 12 years. Those meeting the standards would receive a salary of $60,000 in 2025 and $62, 000 in 2026.
In a press release, Reynolds praised the Senate's vote saying: "Today’s vote by the Senate sends a strong message: every Iowa student deserves a world-class education, and the compensation of every Iowa teacher should reflect the importance of their role."
"Beginning in FY 2026, school districts are required to use at least 90.0% of the funds the school district receives for special education support services district cost for special education support services contracted from an AEA," the state's fiscal note reads.
However, the bill still faces criticism from legislators and advocates alike, saying the proposed bill doesn't do enough to support AEAs.
"The governor and legislators heard from thousands of Iowans supporting our AEAs but ignored those voices, said Mike Beranek President of the Iowa State Education Association. "Instead, they voted to limit access to services for our most vulnerable students and rural communities."