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Branstad approves increased funding for K-12 education

Gov. Terry Branstad has signed legislation into law that sets new funding levels for K-12 education in the next state budget.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad has signed legislation into law that sets new funding levels for K-12 education in the next state budget.

Branstad signed legislation Wednesday that will increase K-12 education spending by 2.25 percent for the fiscal year that begins in July. The Republican-majority House and the Democratic-controlled Senate approved the funding earlier this session.

The state currently pays about $6,445 per student in most school programs. The new legislation will increase that by $145.

Some educators say the funding increase isn't enough to avoid financial hardship for school districts around the state. Legislative leaders in both chambers have said there's limited funding available for the new budget, though some Democrats have also criticized the compromise.

The state spends about $3 billion on K-12 education.

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