The Iowa House of Representatives is expected to propose a 2.5 percent increase to state funding for schools this week.

District 79 Representative Dustin Hite chairs the House Education Committee, and says that money doesn’t include additional transportation equity funds for rural districts, per pupil equity increases to ensure all districts in Iowa have the same formula, and a proposed $19 million in one-time money to offset some expenses incurred by COVID-19 or by enrollment issues.

Hite says their proposal closely aligns with Governor Kim Reynolds, while the Iowa Senate Republicans are targeting a 2.25% increase to state supplemental aid for K-12 schools. Democrats have argued for a 5% increase, but remain in the minority in both the Iowa House and Senate.

Hite expects differences in school funding will be resolved soon, as technically, legislators must come up with a number for the next fiscal year 30 days after the beginning of the session, which would be this Thursday.