2018 Dubuque Community Schools State Legislative PrioritiesCOMMUNITY SCHOOLS
The Dubuque Community School District
offers a broad array of programming and
student support systems to make sure that
each and every student gets a world-class
education that leads to success.
RESOLVE FORMULA
AND TRANSPORTATION INEQUITIES
Commit to a solution that eliminates the $175 difference in the district cost per pupil in the
school foundation formula and provide resources to close the expenditure gap in school
transportation costs.
WE SUPPORT SF 455 (passed unanimously in the Iowa Senate), which provides a 10 -year
phase-in to eliminate these two inequities. providing resources to every Iowa school district.
SEE BACK PAGE FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS.
EXTEND STATE PENNY SALES TAX
The statewide One -Cent Sales Tax has helped schools address the age-old problem of
equity and adequacy for school facilities. In Dubuque, it has helped maintain vibrant
educational facilities, address population growth and infuse the local economy.
WE SUPPORT eliminating the sunset permanently, allowing districts to maintain facilities
and technology without needlessly increasing property taxes. Future state penny
revenues should remain dedicated to schools and property tax equity/relief.
ALIGNED ASSESSMENT
WE SUPPORT moving forward with the recommendations of the State Board of
Education for an assessment aligned to the standards we teach, that measures progress
along the way, measures both attainment and growth, and focuses attention on closing
gaps in outcomes for disadvantaged student groups.
ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE
Although districts have struggled to recruit and retain teachers in shortage area positions
such as mathematics and science for years, other areas such as special education,
English-language learner, foreign language, music, career and technical, as well as hiring
minority teachers and even filling gaps with substitutes have become routine challenges.
Adequate funding is required so school districts can compete with the private sector
for instructional staff. Additionally, WE SUPPORT flexibility in certification (such as a
generic special education certification), sufficient time to help existing staff transition to
appropriate licensure, additional time to pass the Praxis test or acceptance of another
state's test, and fast-track licensure programs for teachers in their second career in order
to help address Iowa's teacher shortage.
EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT NEEDS
Childhood Poverty / At -risk / English -Language Learner / Preschool Student Weighting
Support students from low-income or non-English speaking families, or those at -risk of
dropping out, through the school foundation formula. Fund districts based on student
need and give the flexibility to identify students and direct funds to educate them. Invest
early. increasing access to quality preschool programs, to prevent higher costs later.
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
WE SUPPORT access to mental health services for students and clarify funding sources/
responsibilities. Fund mental health student supports through the school foundation
formula (student weighting, shared obligation across districts or AEAs provisions) and/or
early childhood, human services and juvenile justice appropriations when appropriate.
AN INVESTMENT, NOT AN EXPENSE
Funding for public schools isn't money spent and gone, it's the future realized.
Adequate funding is required to...
» fulfill the goal of restoring Iowa's first -in -the -nation education status
» deliver world-class learning results for students
» develop a world-class workforce to secure Iowa's economic future
attract great thinkers to the field of education and to recruit, retain and reward Iowa's
excellent educators of today and the future.
Iowa's investment in public education should mirror Iowa's economic growth and make
up for shortfalls when the economy is robust. A strong school finance system requires
commitment to the principles of timliness adequacy, equity, and flexibility.
New resources from the state should supplement, not supplant existing resources.
Iowa's future depends on a stable and balanced state revenue policy that generates
sufficient revenue to fund Iowa's priorities. including the education of should be
adequately funded without sacrificing or supplanting regular program funding.
'1'r
THE PROMISE
OF IOWA
Dubuque students. and public school students across the state. are the Promise of lowa.
We believe that public schools are vital to the success of our young people, our
communities. our economy and our state. We agree that strengthening investments in
Iowa public schools must be a priority for our state.
Learn more about the Promise of Iowa at: ww.promiseofiowa.org
D U.13 INA E CSD
THE NOTE IS NOT LEGAL TENDER
FOR ALL DE$TS. POOL lc AND PN11NTE
B 85895278 K
% PON. II.C.
B 85895278 K
$n,=IOO,775.7i! DOLLARS ANNUALLY
Redeemable only with the passage of SF4SS by the Iowa Legislature
Image courtesy of Davenport Community School District and One Step Printing.
FUNDING EQUALITY TREMENDOUSLY IMPACTS DUBUQUE STUDENTS
If Senate File 455 is fully phased in, it would mean over $4.4 million in new
annual funding for the Dubuque Community School District. Source. LSA Fiscal Note.
For Transportation Expenditures: $2,205,098.77
For Formula Equality: $2,195,676.67
For Property Tax Relief: $ 74,115.30
TOTAL $4,400,775.44
This funding would put all Iowa school districts on a level playing field with their
ability to provide programming for all students.
k Dubuque
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
2300 Chaney Road I Dubuque. Iowa 52001-3059 1 563/552-3000 1 www.dbqschools.org