March 28, 2024

Legislators agree on oversight bill for boarding schools

DES MOINES — Iowa will have clear regulatory authority over private boarding schools in the state under a legislative deal reached Thursday that also protects religious curriculum at such institutions and other educational facilities.

Under the measure, children’s residential facilities would have to register with the state, pass safety inspections and adhere to other requirements regarding living conditions. A special legislative committee reached compromise on the legislation Thursday, and it was later passed in the Democratic-controlled Senate and GOP-majority House amid a flurry of legislative activity aimed at reaching adjournment.

There was a spotlight this session on such residential facilities after an investigation was launched into abuse allegations at Midwest Academy, a now-closed private boarding school in Keokuk, which operated with little state oversight because it did not oversee kids monitored by the state. Hearings at the Capitol raised questions over whether state officials had clear authority over the facilities.

Lawmakers worked to clear up the loophole, but hit a roadblock over language proposed by Republicans that would exempt religious facilities from more rigid oversight regarding educational curriculum. Democrats argued it would allow teachers at such schools to avoid background checks and other safeguards, and Republicans expressed concern that state officials could have the authority to change religious curriculum.

The special legislative committee eventually agreed on a bill that would clearly prohibit the state from regulating religious education curriculum but have the schools and facilities be subject to other rigid oversight.

It’s standard practice for state education officials to stay out of curriculum at religious schools that have oversight, said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, who added that such regulation “is not something that’s in the state’s purview.”

Quirmbach noted that the language that prohibits the state regulation on curriculum confirms “what is existing policy with regard to that particular aspect.”

Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, said the compromise language ensures the state will not have the authority “to interject itself” into religious curriculum. He said he didn’t expect such action, “but these institutions now have the certainty.”

It is unclear how many children’s residential facilities are in the state. The bill will require the facilities to register with the state.