As a proposal from Governor Kim Reynolds to expand public funding for families attending private schools makes its way through the legislature, the longtime State Senator representing Pella remains firm in his support for the proposal.

State Senator Ken Rozenboom wrote in his weekly newsletter that he is in favor of a bill that would eventually allow every parent who has a child attending a private school to receive nearly $7,600 per student in state funding, regardless of income status after two years of phasing in.

“She boldly led on the issue during the election and voters resoundingly reelected her,” he said. “During the pandemic many parents developed concerns about their children’s education, virtual or hybrid learning, and the curriculum and content available in their children’s schools. They wanted the legislature to provide more options to address those concerns. ”

“The governor’s bill empowers parents from all socio-economic levels the opportunity to access K-12 schools of their choice.”

Rozenboom said also included in the proposal is a “significant” increase in public school district control over the dollars sent to the districts for those with unspent balances in certain programs and, and the attached bill allows those funds be spent to increase teacher salaries.

The governor’s proposal also includes approximately $1,200 per student in new money to the public school district for any resident student who accesses the Education Savings Account and attends a non-public school.