School start-date bill is on governor's desk

After SF 227 was approved by the House side of the Iowa State Legislature last week, it seemed the Senate bill would be headed for Gov. Terry Branstad's desk. Not so fast, said Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstad.

The Democrat from Council Bluffs held up the bill last week after an amended version had been passed by the House, moving to reconsider the vote — but he withdrew that motion Tuesday, allowing the bill to move on for the governor's signature. SF 227 allows for an Aug. 23 start date.

There would be a reduction in state funding as a penalty for each day a district were to start school before Aug. 23, and an amendment that includes provisions to allow for K-8 attendance centers to apply for variances to conduct year-round schedules.

Branstad told The Associated Press he thinks the bill was a "reasonable compromise" and promised to sign it into law.

"It's going to give stability to the school start date and I think it's going to be a significant benefit to all concerned," the Republican governor said.

Gronstal released a statement Tuesday through the Senate's website. He said it was important to move away from the school-start issue and on to education funding, which is, by far, the biggest and most complicated part of each year's budget puzzle.

"This compromise ends a major distraction," Gronstal said. "It has taken attention away from this session’s most important, most pressing education issue: Renewing Iowa’s bipartisan commitment to responsibly investing in Iowa’s local students."

The legislature tackled the school start date after Branstad, called for a stricter enforcement of the Sept. 1 start date already on the books, as starts in mid- to late August were close to the Iowa State Fair dates.

"When it comes to the school start date, Governor Branstad singlehandedly created a significant problem for schools and parents," Gronstad said. "Today, I’ve decided to allow Senate File 227 to go the governor’s office and resolve this issue."

The Newton Community School District board recently voted to approve two calendars — a primary one that starts school the week of Sept. 1, and an alternate on the preceding week, if the bill were to pass. NCSD Board President Sheri Benson and Superintendent Bob Callaghan both confirmed the district will use its alternate calendar in 2015-16, so Newton will begin its fall semester on Monday, Aug. 24 as soon as the bill is signed.

Callaghan said he will mention the Aug. 24 start date during a superintendent's report at an upcoming board meeting, but another vote isn't required.

Prairie City-Monroe's board voted last week to start school the week of Sept. 1, no matter what happens with SF 227, and Baxter Community School District Superintendent Todd A. Martin said Tuesday a calendar committee is still "working on two proposals."

Sen. Amy Sinclair (D-Allerton), whose District 14 includes a southern portion of Jasper County, said late last week that there was doubt among legislators about whether Branstad would sign SF 227.

"We had hoped to have the matter settled so districts could finalize next year’s schedules," Sinclair said. "While I, and most of my senate colleagues, support local control of start date, we understand that the governor would not have supported that bill. That is why we worked to get a compromise passed that the governor would sign."

Gronstal said the K-12 education budget is going to be a battle over values. Posters and signs have already been seen in Des Moines regarding the emotional issue.

“The alternative — 1.25 percent growth proposed by Governor Branstad and legislative Republicans — will result in more crowded classrooms, fewer course offerings and higher property taxes," Gronstal said. “It’s time for the Governor and legislative Republicans to start listening to their constituents on this important issue.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com