Senate approves K‑12 funding bill after heated debate; 2% state cost per pupil remains

The Iowa Senate passed Senate File 167, a K‑12 funding bill that sets the state cost per pupil and adjusts several education funding items for fiscal year 2026 after extended floor debate and a failed Democratic amendment to increase aid.

Senator Evans, the senator from Cherokee, introduced the bill and described its principal effects: setting state cost per pupil at $7,983 for fiscal 2026 and increasing general fund state funding for K‑12 students by $235,000,000 compared with fiscal 2025. The bill also includes adjustments for professional development supplements and property tax replacement payments.

Senator Winkler (senator from Scott) offered Senate Amendment S3002, which would have increased state aid by a larger amount and added $15 per pupil in equity funding for districts with remaining gaps. In floor remarks Winkler said, "Every child deserves a strong public education, regardless of where they live," and urged adoption. Senator Evans opposed the amendment, saying the proposed increase would be unsustainable and would add approximately $201,000,000 in additional taxpayer funds for FY26; he characterized the amendment as reckless spending. The amendment was put to a roll‑call vote and failed, with the chair announcing "Those voting I, 16; those voting nay, 31." (Amendment failed 16–31.)

Senators speaking in the ensuing debate stressed competing concerns. Opponents, including Senator Kornbach, argued the 2% increase does not keep pace with inflation and leaves districts making cuts or raising property taxes; Kornbach said the state cost per pupil is cumulatively 9% behind inflation over several years. Proponents, including Senator Evans and others, said the bill provides sustainable, predictable funding and warned against making promises the state cannot keep.

Several senators described local impacts: Senator Zimmer (senator from Clinton) recounted experience as a school board member and administrator and warned that districts facing revenue shortfalls often resort to raising property taxes; Senator Blake (senator from Polk) said high‑performing districts such as Johnston and West Des Moines could face budget guarantee under a 2% increase. Senators representing education associations and administrators were cited during debate as opposing the 2% figure and urging larger increases.

After debate, the senator from Cherokee, Senator Evans, moved that Senate File 167 be read for the final time and placed on its passage; the motion prevailed and the Senate moved to final reading. The Senate agreed to the title and the bill was ordered messaged following passage.