Iowa Association of Christian Schools

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

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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

Make Your Voice Heard On K-12 Nonpublic Education Cuts!

April 18, 2017 By IACS

Although it is a tough budget year for the State of Iowa and many interest groups are asking for increased resources, we have heard time and again this year that “K-12 education will be held harmless.”  We laid significant groundwork for tax credit and education savings account legislation moving forward.

Despite this, funding of transportation services for nonpublic school students is facing a cut in SSB 1198.  The budget bill is being considered by the Iowa legislature this week. The funding was cut $278,000 in this current fiscal year.  Next year’s budget continues cutting nonpublic school transportation funding for a total cut of $363,000. This is unacceptable.

Please use our action alert to contact your Representative and Senator today and ask them to support nonpublic schools by truly “holding K-12 harmless.”

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update Tagged With: ESA, School Choice, Department of Ed, Governor Branstad, Private Education, Iowa, Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Iowa House, Transportation, Action Alert, Iowa Senate

Our March Newsletter Is Out!

March 13, 2017 By IACS

Our IACS March 2017 Newsletter is out.  Please click the link to download the PDF.

Member schools: please share with your parents, teachers, staff, and supporters.   Thank you!

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Iowa ACE, Education Savings Accounts Tagged With: ESA, School Choice, Department of Ed, Accreditation, Private Education, Iowa ACE, newsletter, Iowa, Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Iowa House, Email List, Events, Iowa Senate, Best Practices

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