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Update on 2021 Legisaltive Session

March 1, 2021 By IACS

Update on 2021 Legislative Session

We apologize for the length of this email but we’ve received a lot of questions on the school choice bill(s) and the unfunded mandates that have been introduced this year and wanted to make sure our schools and families have all the relevant information.

The Legislature wrapped up week seven and is beginning week eight. The session is scheduled to end April 30. Friday, March 5 marks the first “funnel” deadline when all bills must be through the subcommittee and committee process in the chamber it was introduced in to be eligible for further consideration this session. There are exceptions for budget and tax bills, bills introduced by legislative leadership, etc.

We have a number of issues the Iowa Association of Christian Schools (IACS) is tracking. We wanted to take a moment to update you on a few of them:

The Governor’s Education Reform and School Choice Bill

The Governor introduced a bill making some reforms and introducing public, charter, and private school choice initiatives. We were undecided on that bill for a number of reasons we posted on. We had action alerts out for both the Senate and the House and many of you clicked the link and emailed your Senator and/or your Representative and encouraged them to improve and pass the bill. We appreciate your willingness to weigh in!  THANK YOU!

The Senate passed that bill early in the session and it has been sitting in the House education committee awaiting action. This week, the House Education Committee Chair split the Governor’s Bill into three separate bills. HSB 240 passed subcommittee last week and two have subcommittees March 2.  We are current declared “undecided” on each of them and will outline each bill below. Senate File 159, for all practical purposes, is dead and has been replaced by these three new bills in the House. The House didn’t make any substantive changes to the Senate version but simply broke it up into the following three bills:

  1. HSB 240 – “The Rest” of the Governor’s education bill that was in SF 159.
  2. HSB 242 – Charter Schools
  3. HSB 243 – Students First Scholarship (ESA)

HSB 240 – Statewide Database, Open Enrollment, Tuition and Textbook Tax Credit and Other Provisions

HSB 240 includes two sections that are of interest to IACS: The first section creates a statewide student information management system (database).  This would require public and private schools statewide to either replace their current student information software or add another layer of state-prescribed software that would collect data for the state. We are vehemently opposed to this provision of the bill and join public and private school interest groups in opposing its inclusion in any bill this session. The provision would cost public and private schools approximately $7 per student per year, payable to the state; is duplicative; and ignores the fact that our current systems work best with the realities of our schools, our websites, communication tools, etc. We believe it is wholly inappropriate for the state to include private schools in this program, especially when the genesis of the idea was frustration with data collection during a temporary situation (the pandemic) and could be remedied without forcing an expensive, one-size-fits-all system on Iowa’s schools. We believe it is bad public policy and we are disappointed it hasn’t been removed from the bill yet.

The second section of this bill that is of interest to IACS and our families is the tuition and textbook tax credit changes. The tuition and textbook tax credit is currently 25% of the first $1,000 spent by public and private school parents on educational expenses for each dependent. As of a couple of years ago, 70% of those credits were claimed by public school families.  The tax credit is currently uncapped. This changes in this bill raise it to 50% of the first $2,000 educational expenses for each dependent. It also includes homeschool families and is refundable, meaning that it will assist lower income families not currently itemizing or subject to state income tax. These are welcome changes that will help many Iowa families significantly. We appreciate that it is available to all Iowa families of school-aged children and the increases are a welcome relief for families spending significantly more on education in private settings. We will be encouraging the legislature to get this over the finish line this year.

HSB 242 – Charter Schools

Iowa is currently dead-last when it comes to charter opportunities for Iowa families. IACS is a “school choice” organization and we support the inclusion of charter options for Iowa families to the degree their introduction and expansion grows at a rate commensurate with private school choice. Iowa currently only has a couple of school-district-run charters that are, arguably, not really charters in the sense most people think of them.  We support charters having alternative methods of forming as outlined in the bill but we need to ensure that the number of charters is limited until the State is willing to provide universal school choice or make significant strides toward it simultaneous with any charter expansion. We are undecided and we hope that the state legislature chooses to pass legislation that ensures all ships rise. We don’t need the legislature picking more winners and losers. We simply want families to be empower to make ANY choice that is best for their child.

HSB 243 – Students First Scholarship (ESA)

This bill takes the Students First Scholarship program from the Governor’s initial bill and stands it on its own. Many House Republicans have shown reluctance to pass an ESA this year. We are concerned about this bill on two levels: First, that it is based on “failing” public schools and only pertains to families currently attending or entering kindergarten assigned to one of the 34 public school buildings on that list and, secondly, that the overall impact on parental choice is tiny and doesn’t allow us to compete with the current uncapped charter school legislation. We’ll be encouraging the legislature to pick any of the ESA bills we are declared in favor of and run one of those alongside charter expansion or find ways to bolster private school choice while limiting the number of charters available in the state.

Other Issues

HF 585 – “Safe and Sound” Program by the Department of Public Safety

This bill was introduced by the Iowa Department of Public Safety without consulting with education stakeholders first. It does a number of things including officer training; creates a system for accepting “anonymous” (this has been debated all session what that means) reports of self-harm, bullying, threats or actions of violence, etc.; the development by the Department of a voluntary violence prevention curriculum for use by schools, and participating requirements including mandating private religious schools advertise their hotline and programming despite our inability to vet the program for quality or assure that a person on the other end of a phone call or report understands the context or cultural considerations of the student. The bill also requires we share our emergency operations plans with the Department, which may share it with local law enforcement.

We have weighed in on our concerns and currently oppose the bill.  The House amended the bill to allow schools to advertise the program digitally instead of posting paper posters on our walls in three locations. Although better, it is still an unacceptable intrusion considering our schools already have programing and resources and we believe even a one-time digital advertisement on a website, email, or other form of communication simply confuses the school community on which resources are vetted by the school and parents. We have practical, religious liberty, and other constitutional concerns about this bill.

The bill has passed committee and is awaiting debate on the House floor. The Senate version has failed to advance through subcommittee at this time. Please use our action alert and ask your Representative to vote no on this bill and encourage the Department of Public Safety to work with stakeholders in the interim if they want to find ways to help our communities and school families. It is challenging for a legislature to vote against buzz words like “suicide,” “violence,” and “safety” if they don’t hear from you that you believe your school is a safe environment with plans and resources already in place without this troublesome program being enacted.

HF 167 – Seizure Disorders and Teacher Training

This bill has come up a number of years in a row and follows many other mandates by the legislature on teacher training. We have also seen Diabetes training and other training requirements pop up. We are declared opposed to the bill.  We understand the need to be able to address health and safety issues in our schools.  What we oppose is mandates on private, religious schools; especially when the current system of teacher training mandates is overloaded. Despite offering to meeting with organizations pushing this and mandates like it, we were not taken up on that offer and was surprised by the bill this year.  We will be responding to a request made recently to meet over the Summer.

We have worked with other private and public school stakeholders to suggest and amendment that replaces the bill with a study in the interim on a proposal to revamp the teacher training requirements to stretch out some of the timelines, put trainings in a rotator for CEUs, and create a system where the appropriate educators can get the appropriate trainings on a rotating schedule that better fits in with the financial and personal time constraints of Iowa’s teachers and administrators. We believe there is a win/win solution for interest groups and schools without piling on more unfunded training mandates. Please use our action alert to email your Representative and ask them to support an amendment that would create a teacher training study in the interim.

We have weighed in on other bills too. You can see a list of the most relevant bills we are declared on by visiting our “Key Legislation” page on our website. There are a number of bills we are supporting or monitoring.  We’ll also be keeping a scorecard on how Representatives and Senators vote on key bills and will provide a link to that as these bills get votes on the floor of each chamber. Our current action alerts can be found on our “Campaigns”page on our website. Please consider emailing your Representative about these bills today. All of our current resources can be found by visiting iowachristianschools.org and clicking on “Action Center.”

Please don’t hesitate to contact us through our website if you have any questions or concerns. We are working hard every day to ensure the interests of Iowa’s Christian school parents and their educators are heard at the Capitol.

Filed Under: News, Legislative Update, Issue Update, School Choice, Education Savings Accounts, Tax Credits, Action Alert Tagged With: ESA, School Choice, Department of Ed, Private Education, Iowa ACE, Iowa, Education Savings Accounts, Iowa Legislature, Iowa House, Iowa Senate, Unfunded Mandates

What Is An Education Savings Account Program?

February 7, 2021 By IACS

ESAs Fund Parents and Children

An ESA gives parents the choice to customize their child’s education and unique needs regardless of income, location, cost, special needs, or other barriers currently preventing choice. The funding goes to the parents for approved educational expenditures such as tuition, tutoring, therapies, or online learning.

Statewide polling consistently shows Iowans’ support for Education Savings Accounts hovers at or above 64 percent.

Do the ESAs take money away from public schools and fund private schools?

No. The grant goes to the parents who can then choose approved school options that best fit their children’s needs. Many studies have shown that school choice programs do not have a detrimental effect on public schools. There has not been a mass exodus from public schools when a widespread choice program has been implemented.

Why is an ESA needed in Iowa?

Education is not a one-size-fits all service. Giving parents and students choices is not a zero-sum game. All ships can rise as we make sure every child has access to the education that best meets their needs:

Parents should have the freedom to choose their child’s learning options.
ESAs give parents options to seek schools with smaller class sizes and more individualized teacher attention.
ESAs offer parents the opportunity to access schools with curriculums that better fit their needs (high level science, engineering and math).
ESAs should be available to all families regardless of income or special needs.

If parents choose to use an ESA grant to send their child to a faith-based school, doesn’t that violate the separation of church vs. state?

America has had a long history of allowing religious institutions to serve the citizenry. Parents have been allowed to send their children to religious pre-schools that the state funded, Medicaid patients can choose religious hospitals for care, and the GI bill from the early 20th century allowed the greatest generation to pay for tuition at religious colleges and even seminary. A number of recent court cases have all but ended the debate by striking down policies based on anti-religious bigotry or many state’s unfortunate “Blaine Amendments” in their constitutions. Funding parents and their choices is Constitutional.

Does the Governor’s 2021 (SF 159) Education Bill include ESAs for Iowa families?

Sort of.  The bill, among many other things, establishes “Students First” scholarships. Similar to ESAs, the scholarship grants are available to students who attend a “failing” public school building. Currently on the Comprehensive (failing) list are approximately 34 schools in Iowa; including some in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Davenport, Marshalltown, Waterloo.

The program would be administered by Dept. of Education. So far, we estimate two-three new students for each nonpublic school in the metro areas impacted.  Maximum universe of students is approximately 10K students.

The program is very small, geographically limiting, and based on zip code.  That’s why we are asking every Iowa parent to email their state representative (it already passed the Senate 26-21) and ask him/her to improve this portion of the bill to include current families and additional students statewide.  We are also asking legislators to remove the duplicative, expensive, and over-reaching statewide database program in the bill (Division IV).

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

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

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

March 6, 2020 By IACS

03/20/2020 Update – The US. Dept. of Education has its COVID-19 resources page up. The state of Iowa now has its own Coronavirus general landing page up with lots of resources.

03/19/2020 – Childcare Resources: COVID-19 DHS Resources Page and the latest DHS childcare-specific guidance page.

03/18/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Education put out new guidance yesterday dealing with IDEA questions and how they impact AEAs, districts, and nonpublic schools.  Updates from Fisher Phillips law firm on FMLA and paid sick leave changes.

03/16/2020 Update – Governor Reynolds has announced assistance for employees and employers affected by COVID-19 related layoffs. Additionally, the Dept. of Education has released new guidance, including information on distance learning affecting state accredited nonpublic schools.

3/15/2020 Update 2 – The Governor has released a statement and video encouraging Iowa schools to close for four weeks to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in Iowa. IACS is working with member schools to help determine the next steps. Public Health has released a statement too. Here is the latest Dept. of Ed. guidance.

3/15/2020 Update – “Community Spread” confirmed in Iowa. The IDPH has released further guidance based on this new development. The Iowa Legislature is now suspended for 30 days. We are not sure how this will affect the current status of bills or the schedule moving forward. Additional school districts are extending Spring Break but no new guidance is available. Check back here frequently!

3/13/2020 Update – The CDC released guidance on considerations for school closures. The Iowa Department of Education also released guidance on coronavirus for PK-12 this afternoon.

3/12/2020 Update – The Iowa Department of Public Health has released updated guidance on their website. Also, there is a specific guidance document for schools released today.

Many educators and parents are wondering how the recent outbreak(s) of COVID-19 affect Iowa’s schools and students. Although risk in Iowa is currently low, there are many things we can be doing to minimize risk and add to preparedness. There are many resources available online. We suggest sticking to trusted, verifiable sources when researching COVID-19 and planning your response. Below is a list of resources from State and Federal organizations.

Iowa Department of Public Health – Emerging Health Issues (Novel Coronavirus): Includes updates on Iowa cases and a “For Schools” section.

We have another post devoted to Centers For Disease Control links that may impact or have helpful information for your school.

Please let IACS know if you have questions or we can help track down information for you.

Filed Under: News, Issue Update, Best Practices Tagged With: Department of Ed, Coronavirus, Health, Governor Reynolds, Governor, Emergency Declaration, Public Emergency, ChildCare, Preschool

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

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