Kim Reynolds' bill to overhaul AEAs advances in Senate, but House lawmakers balk

Gov. Kim Reynolds' bill to overhaul the state's area education agencies got a divided response among lawmakers Wednesday, with House Republicans balking at the proposal and GOP senators cautiously advancing it after testimony from dozens of teachers, administrators and parents.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, told reporters after a subcommittee hearing that he and others would have further discussions about the bill, days after Reynolds released an amended version in response to initial concerns from legislators and advocates.

A short time later in the Senate subcommittee, a 2-1 vote advanced its version of the bill, with chair Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, expressing a desire to make changes.

"I'm not fully convinced that the bill that's in front of us, nor the amendments, truly get to the heart of the matter," said Evans, a former superintendent.

At the beginning of the Senate hearing, as he explained the amended bill to the room, Evans reached over and tossed a printed copy of the first version in the trash can.

"That's probably the appropriate place for the original," Evans said.

Democrats in both committees were staunchly opposed to the bill, with Sen. Molly Donahue, D-Cedar Rapids, saying "no Iowan asked for this bill."

"We cannot lose those services," Donahue, a special education teacher, said. "They would hurt my students, they'll hurt all students."

The proposal's frosty reception among some legislators signals another hurdle for one of the governor's defining priorities of the 2024 session.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, Reynolds thanked the Senate subcommittee for advancing the bill. She did not mention the House subcommittee.

"The amendment reflects feedback from legislators, parents, teachers, and school superintendents, ensuring that AEAs can continue offering the services they do today," Reynolds said.

Iowa’s nine Area Education Agencies provide special education services to schools across Iowa. The agencies, known as AEAs, also offer general education services, such as professional training for teachers and free digital resources, and media services, like graphic design and printing.

Under current law, school districts are automatically partnered with the AEAs and divert their federal and state special education funds toward the agencies. A portion of the AEAs' funding also comes through property taxes.

Reynolds' bill would allow school districts to choose whether to contract with their local AEA for special education and other services — or to discontinue their use of the AEA, instead seeking an alternative provider for special education, professional training or whatever else they need that year.

It would also raise the minimum salary for first-year teachers in Iowa to $50,000 per year, up from $35,500 under current law. Teachers with at least 12 years of experience would receive a minimum salary of $62,000.

More: Kim Reynolds just released her revised bill to overhaul Iowa's 9 AEAs. Here's what's in it.

Lawmakers hear testimony from superintendents, teachers and parents on AEA overhaul

Parents, teachers, administrators, school board members and advocates crowded into hearing rooms Wednesday to lend their input on the proposal.

Those who came to oppose the bill argued that the agencies, long embedded within Iowa's education system, were vital for providing services and collaboration across specialties that require training.

Carolyn Wozny, a speech pathologist at Grant Wood AEA, praised the agencies' "superb" facilities and said that its "highly qualified and specialized" staff were valuable for students with disabilities.

"Please do not jeopardize this enormous asset," Wozny said. "Passing this bill would be catastrophic for school districts, teachers, families, students and AEA employees."

Several superintendents, as well as the Iowa State Education Association and disability advocacy groups, testified against the proposal. So too did several parents and students, who argued they could not have advanced through schooling without their AEA's staff and tools.

"It's very difficult to serve my son," said Suzanne Castello of Grinnell, who said he had multiple disabilities and had been pulled out for four years of homeschooling. "The AEAs help that. They help try to figure out how those teachers can do that."

Multiple other district leaders said they supported the bill, arguing that their schools would be better served if the money allocated to AEAs was instead granted directly to districts, who can employ staff and services at their discretion.

"My belief is that schools should be able to control flow-through dollars," said Corey Seymour, superintendent for Clear Creek Amana Community School District. "We have to continue to evolve to support the needs of our school communities. Each district is different."

And Todd Abrahamson, superintendent for Okoboji Community School District, pleaded with other district leaders to step forward and make public concerns that he says have been voiced privately.

"Silence is support," Abrahamson said.

Several other organizations, including Iowans for Tax Relief and Americans for Prosperity, expressed support for Reynolds' bill.

More: Kim Reynolds walks back Area Education Agency changes, allows general education services

Gov. Kim Reynolds: Current AEA governance is 'unconscionable'

Reynolds, speaking to reporters Wednesday morning ahead of hearings on the bill, defended her proposal as necessary to hold to account agencies that she says don't receive enough oversight.

"You can't police yourself, get all the money, mandate I use you, and not be held accountable when the scores are not reflecting what they should be," Reynolds said. "That's unconscionable."

She expressed frustration at exact costs of AEA services being uncertain, and pushed back when asked whether the timeline laid out under the plan gave districts enough time to decide whether to continue their AEA contract or seek another avenue.

"Well, they have been failing our students with disabilities for 20 years," Reynolds said. "How in good faith can we say, let's just kick it down the road. They'll be okay for another three years, no big deal. Let's do a study. Let's do a study. We know what the results are, for 20 years we've known what the results are."

Reynolds said characterizations that the bill could unduly burden rural districts were "absolutely false," while asserting that many schools will retain at least partial contracting with their AEA.

"I don't think you'll see a lot (of districts) completely pull out, you'll see maybe some of your larger schools," she said.

Galen Bacharier covers politics for the Register. Reach him at gbacharier@registermedia.com or (573) 219-7440, and follow him on Twitter @galenbacharier.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Legislature: Chambers split on Gov. Kim Reynolds' special ed bill