DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa House of Representatives continued conversations surrounding reforms to Area Education Agencies (AEAs) after putting a pause on Gov. Kim Reynolds' proposed bill and introducing their own legislation, HF 2612.
The biggest difference from Reynolds' AEA legislation and House Republicans' bill is the timeline. House Republicans extend the rollout for reforms to the 2025-2026 school year, while Reynolds' bill would begin implementing reforms in the 2024 school year.
On Wednesday, the House Education Committee heard the public speak in a public hearing for the latest reform bill.
"For the past seven years, I have watched millions of dollars flow through from our districts demographic, directly to our AEA without having a voice for how those dollars would be used to support the needs of our district," said Vickie Murillo, superintendent of the Council Bluffs School District.
Advocates showed up to the statehouse to share the impacts AEAs have had on them.
"AEA has immensely helped my son and my daughter, and the idea of them not being there frightens me," said Esther Huston, a parent opposed to the bill. "Why are we trying to fix something that's not broken?"
Both Reynolds' and House Republicans' legislation would bring oversight to AEAs from the Department of Education, which is a controversial aspect of the bill.
"Our school districts should be equal partners in determining what our schools and students need and whether or not things are working or need to adapt," said Mike McGrory, superintendent of the Ottumwa Community School District, advocating in favor of this legislation. "It's time for reform."
Opponents of the bill believe without AEAs, districts are not adequately equipped to handle certain complex issues. Stacey Warren, a Heartland AEA social worker who responded to Perry High School after the fatal school shooting in January, spoke on the number of instances she has responded to as an AEA employee.
"In addition to Jan. 4, we've also had 11 other incidents: a kindergartener, another kindergartner, two fatalities of car accidents, a suicide, a double homicide and a teacher who lost a baby," Warren said while opposing the legislation. "Districts are not prepared and do not have the resources to handle these things."
House Republicans' legislation is eligible for debate on the House floor, while Reynolds' legislation is eligible for debate on the Senate floor.
Both pieces of legislation must pass through the House and Senate in order to become law.