Iowa Association of Christian Schools

The Public Policy Voice of Iowa's Protestant, Christ-Centered Schools.

We are the public policy voice of
Iowa's Protestant, Christ-centered schools.

  • News
  • About
    • Staff
    • Board Members
    • Lobbyist
  • Schools
  • Partners
  • Contact

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for Iowa’s Christian Schools

March 23, 2020 By IACS

There are many questions and many agencies engaged on the coronavirus pandemic.  We have put all the relevant information on one page.  We’ll update this page as new resources and information is available.  Please contact us with additional questions or resources that should be added.

Articles and Updates:

IACS Page for Distance Learning and School Closure Resources

IACS – Admissions during Covid-19

Return to School Roadmap

Iowa Alliance For Choice In Education COVID-19 Resources Page

Council for the American Private Education – Coronavirus Updates

Center for the Advancement of Christian Education (CACE): COVID-19 Resources

ACSI Coronavirus Resources
(ACSI) Legal & Legislative Coronavirus Resources

Christian Schools International COVID-19 Resources

National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Coronavirus Page
(NAIS) Sharing Solutions – Evolving Education in the time of COVID-19
(NAIS) COVID Resources Page

Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod COVID-19 Information

American Enterprise Institute – The Paycheck Protection Program: An Introduction

School Accepting COVID-19 Loans Must Be Aware of Workplace Law Consequences

Alliance Defending Freedom video on CARES Act questions

Iowa 211 Counts


Iowa COVID-19 Resources For K-12 Schools:

Iowa Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Resource Page

Iowa Governor’s Office-Newsroom

Iowa Department of Education – COVID-19 Page
(IDE Guidance on Concurrent Enrollment
(IDE) Resources to Support Learning During COVID-19
(IDE) Emergency Operations Planning Resources
(IDE) CARES Act Summary – Includes List of Possible Uses (not exhaustive)
(IDE) CARES Act District & Nonpublic Allocations
(IDE) CARES Act – Department Guidance on ESSER Funds
(IDE) Guidance on Summer Learning and Activities – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Guidance on Summer Sports – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Guidance on Use of School Facilities – May 20, 2020
(IDE) Return to Learn Support

Iowa Department of Public Health – COVID-19 Page

Iowa Department of Human Services – COVID-19 Page

Iowa Economic Development – COVID-19 Page and Links to Multiple Grant and Loan Programs

Iowa Small Business Development Centers – COVID-19 Page

Secretary of State – Remote Notary Services Now In Effect

Iowa Legislature

Legislative Services Agency (LSA) – COVID-19 Impact on States’ Schools Map
(LSA) – Workforce and Labor Issues
(LSA) – State of Iowa and Federal Response to COVID-19 – Taxation


Resources For Childcare Facilities:

Iowa Department of Public Health Childcare Guidance

Iowa DHS Childcare Availability Map


Federal COVID-19 Resources for K-12 Schools:

White House / CDC Main Coronavirus Page

Centers For Disease Control (CDC)
(CDC) Preparing for a Safe Return to School

U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 “Coronavirus” Information and Resources
(USDE) Updated CARES Act Programs Guidance! (Oct 9, 2020)
(USDE) Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund Page
(USDE) CARES Act Equitable Services FAQ

Small Business Administration Disaster Loan Assistance Page
(SBA) Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources
(SBA) PPP Loan Interim Rules
(SBA) PPP Loan FAQs for faith-based organizations

IRS: Employee Retention Credit

Healthdata.org projections and data on COVID-19 hospital use and deaths over time

 

We cannot guarantee the accuracy or the validity of all the facts and details contained within these resources. They are posted for reference and convenience.  
Link does not imply an endorsement of the organization or its stance on any particular subject or issue.

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Athletics, Issue Update, Best Practices Tagged With: Department of Ed, website, Proclamation, Iowa, Iowa Legislature, Best Practices, Coronavirus, CDC, Governor Reynolds, Governor, COVID-19, White House, Department of Human Services, Department of Public Health, IDPH, CARES Act, ESSER Funds, IRS, ACSI, CSI, NLSA, LCMS

New Bill Tracking Feature

March 6, 2020 By IACS

New this year to the IACS website is a bill tracking feature as part of our “Action Center” section available on the right side of each page.

Just click on the Action Center link from anywhere on our website and then click on “View Key Legislation” to see a selection of bills we are working on. Although it doesn’t include every bill we are following, it will give you an idea of the kinds of legislation IACS is tracking and working on.

Please contact us with questions!

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Education Savings Accounts, Tax Credits Tagged With: Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Tax Credits, Legislation

Action Alert! Increase STO Tax Credits!

April 19, 2019 By IACS

As a supporter of Christian education and school choice, we know you believe that all parents, regardless of address or income, deserve education choices that reflect academic goals and faith. The Iowa Association of Christian Schools supports an increase in the amount of the School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credits available to donors who make scholarships to lower and middle income families possible.

Last year, changes were made to ensure scholarships are available to nonpublic school families whose income is up to four times the federal poverty level.  This was up from three times the federal poverty level previously.  These scholarships enable parents to choose the school that best fits their child’s learning needs but the change in demographics eligible makes our call to increase the number of tax credits all the more urgent.

Currently $13 million in tax credits are available to donors and we are asking the legislature to increase that to at least $17 million in coming years.  Our goal has been $20 million for a number of years but House and Senate proposals have been introduced and we want to support the larger number currently found in the Iowa Senate’s proposal.

Both the House and the Senate versions of a tax bill include an increase in the STO tax credits among a number of other tax-related topics. Senate File 631 includes a $4 million increase for a total of $17 million. If all tax credits were expended, that would raise about $26 million for scholarships. House File 779 includes a $1 million increase.

The Iowa Department of Revenue estimates this program saves the state at least $12 million a year because the students don’t attend a public school that would cost the state more money.  The state does not write any checks for these scholarships as the money raised is private and the tax credits are a complete and separate discussion from public school funding.  The session is in its final days and we are hopeful, with your help, we can get this increase over the finish line!

Please send your legislators a message in support of an increase in School Tuition Organization tax credits.  Use the personal story box to add a personal story, communicate your desire for more children to have access to your school’s atmosphere/programing, or provide a general greeting or anecdote.  Then, please read through the suggested message that will be included in the body of your email to your Rep and Senator and customize it to ensure they get as many uniquely written messages as possible.  Thank you!

IACS

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Tax Credits Tagged With: School Choice, Private Education, Iowa, Iowa Legislature, Iowa House, Iowa Senate, Tax Credits, STO

Action Alert! Support ESAs!

March 1, 2019 By IACS

One of the primary roles of parents is to be involved in and direct the formal education of their children.  There are many ways to accomplish this but those without the income to access more than one option lack that basic, fundamental right. The best way we know how to ensure every parent has access to what is best for their child is through Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).  ESAs will allow parents who choose not to enroll their children in a public school to receive a deposit of public funds into a savings account set up by the state. This money could be used by parents for private school tuition and some other education expenses including tutoring, giving parents the ability to customize their child’s education to meet his/her needs.

Iowa has increased public school funding annually, while maintaining school choice programs such as the School Tuition Organization tax credits. IACS supports the state’s commitment to public and non-public education.  We are not advocating that parents wanting to utilize a non-public option be given every financial resource available to the public system.  We are simply asking that the state allow a portion of those resources to follow the student to ensure every Iowa parent has every available quality option at their disposal.

School choice will not lead to money being “siphoned away from public education and given to private education providers.” No state or local funding for public schools would be diverted to this program. ESAs would be funded by a separate appropriation by the legislature.

Senate File 372 was introduced this week and has passed the Senate Education Committee’s subcommittee.  It is now eligible for debate in the full Education Committee.  We encourage you to contact members of the Senate Education Committee and Senate leadership in support of an ESA program which would be accessible to as many parents as possible. Rewrite the sample message in your own words and keep your comments positive.

TAKE ACTION HERE!

Thank you for your willingness to engage on this issue!

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Education Savings Accounts Tagged With: ESA, School Choice, Private Education, Iowa, Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Action Alert, Iowa Senate

IACS January Newsletter – Legislative Session Preview

January 12, 2019 By IACS

Our IACS January 2019 Newsletter is out!  There are a few events to pencil in on your calendar and we have an overview on the legislature and our areas of focus for the year!

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Iowa ACE, Education Savings Accounts, IACS Events, Best Practices Tagged With: ESA, Des Moines Christian, Iowa ACE, website, Iowa, Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Iowa House, Transportation, Textbooks, Action Alert, Email List, IACS Events, Events, Iowa Senate, Marketing, Best Practices

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 8
  • Next Page »

Action Center

Take Action or Join Our Email List.

Latest News

  • Take Action! Email Your Senator Today!
  • Response To Governor Reynolds’ Education Bill
  • Response To Governor’s 2021 Condition of the State Address
  • National School Choice Week – January 24-30!
  • Give The Gift Of Education

Connect with Us

Topics

  • News
  • School News
  • Student Exchange
  • Legislative Update
  • Athletics
  • Issue Update
  • Independent Accreditation
  • School Choice
  • Iowa ACE
  • Education Savings Accounts
  • IACS Events
  • Best Practices
  • School Spotlight
  • Tax Credits
  • Preschool
  • Elementary/Middle
  • High School
  • Action Alert

Copyright © 2021 Iowa Association of Christian Schools. Log in