A bill that would allow schools to have more local control has passed through the state House of Representatives and will now move forward to the Senate.

Currently Iowa schools operate under “Dillon’s Rule” which allows school districts to do anything expressly permitted by the state. The “Home Rule” bill, would allow school districts to do anything that is not expressly prohibited by the state. State representative Greg Heartsill tells KNIA/KRLS News the bill reverses the “Dillon’s Rule” and allows school districts to have more control such as cities and counties do. With added flexibility school districts could potentially add fees for parking, classroom celebrations, graduation costs, insurance for technology or other punitive fees to make up differences in lost budget money.