The House and Senate have agreed to allocate a 2.25% increase in education funding to Iowa schools this year.

Representative Greg Heartsill and Senator Amy Sinclair both say that while they are glad to have provided the funding they are frustrated and disappointed that it took so long to pass something so critical to school budget planning. Heartsill tells KNIA/KRLS News that the increase accounts for about 87% percent of the state’s available revenue and he is proud that the legislature has provided $660 million dollars in additional funding over the last six years. Knoxville Schools Superintendent Cassi Pearson says she is cautiously optimistic about the funding amount but no action will be taken with the budget until the governor signs the legislation.