Iowa House Proposes 2.25% Increase in School Funding

Amendment would provide $180 more per student, but educators say more is needed to keep up with inflation.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Iowa House Appropriations Committee has passed an amendment proposing a 2.25% increase in school funding, which includes $180 more per student for a total state cost per pupil of $8,168. However, some school districts have petitioned for a 5% increase to offset previous limited increases and prevent cuts to extracurricular and after-school programs.

Why it matters

Adequate and consistent funding is crucial for Iowa's public schools to remain successful and effective in educating over 90% of the state's students. School districts are arguing that the proposed increases are not enough to keep up with inflation and maintain current programs.

The details

The House proposal is higher than the 1.75% increase passed by the Senate Republicans last week. Discussions began with a House subcommittee hearing from educators and parents who argued the proposed increases should be higher. Some school districts have signed a petition asking for a 5% increase, saying that amount would keep up with inflation and prevent cuts to extracurricular and after-school programs. The Ankeny School District said it needs at least a 4% funding increase, or it could cut $6.1 million from its budget over the next four years.

  • The House Appropriations Committee passed the 2.25% amendment on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Last week, the Senate Republicans passed legislation to increase Supplemental Student Aid funding by 1.75% per student.

The players

House Appropriations Committee

The committee in the Iowa House of Representatives responsible for drafting and approving the state's budget, including funding for public schools.

Fred Maharry

Former superintendent of the Alta Community School District, who argued that public schools need adequate funding to remain successful.

Jeff Schumacher

An Ankeny Community Schools board member, who said insufficient funding could slow the district's growth.

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What they’re saying

“First, Iowa's community schools are one of our cornerstones and they have made a tremendous difference in our state. They educate more than 90% of our students. And we need them to be strong and effective.”

— Fred Maharry, Former Superintendent

“We're not even half of that 4% on what's likely to come out of the statehouse. So, that just has some immediate repercussions with negotiations, but it has long term repercussions for our ability to do the kind of innovative work that we want to do.”

— Jeff Schumacher, Ankeny Community Schools Board Member

What’s next

The House and Senate will need to work out a compromise between their different funding proposals as school districts wait to learn their funding amounts for the upcoming year.

The takeaway

This debate highlights the ongoing challenge of providing adequate and consistent funding for Iowa's public schools, which are crucial to the state's education system. School districts are advocating for higher increases to keep up with inflation and maintain current programs, while lawmakers must balance the state's budget priorities.