DES MOINES, Iowa — The discussion surrounding reforms to Area Education Agencies (AEA) has now seen debate in both the Iowa House and Iowa Senate.
The Senate adopted the House's own version of reforms to AEAs, but did a complete strikethrough amendment, making it their own bill and aligning it closer with Gov. Kim Reynolds' proposals.
"This is the right direction to go, we need more local control on how these dollars are spent," said Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia.
In the proposed bill, AEAs would still have control over special education services in 2024. But by 2025, schools would receive 90% of the funding for special education services, while the AEAs receive the other 10%.
Also, by 2025, schools would receive 60% of funding for media services and general education services, while AEAs would receive the other 40%.
This legislation would also bring oversight of AEAs to the Iowa Department of Education, something Senate Democrats strongly opposed.
"Can every system be improved? Of course. But we don't dismantle them and risk thousands of kids futures to do it without careful and intentional stakeholder input," said Sen. Janice Weiner, D-Iowa City.
Senators against the bill spoke about the thousands of emails they have received in opposition, however, Senate Republicans backed Reynolds' reasoning for the need for change.
"Why do we have to sit here and propose bills and talk about funding for dyslexia, when we supposedly have a system in place that receives millions of dollars of taxpayer funding annually, to provide those services?" Evans said. "Well, I can test because they've been overseeing themselves for far too long."
Lawmakers continued to send a similar message the House sent, saying that they are searching for a problem.
"My heart hurts for every family in this state that has a child with special needs," said Iowa Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum. "My heart hurts for the unnecessary anxiety this bill has created."
Reynolds released a statement following the vote saying in part, "I want to thank the Senate for their commitment to improving special education and acknowledging that the AEA system needs reform."
The governor also addressed her proposal to increase the minimum salaries for educators, which she first proposed in her 2024 Condition of the State Address and has sparked debate within the statehouse.
The bill passed with a vote of 28 to 22. In that vote, six Republicans crossed the aisle and joined Democrats in voting nay.
Because of the strikethrough amendment, the bill will now go back to the House, and both chambers must come to an agreement before the legislation can reach Reynolds' desk.