Legislative Initiatives

The Iowa Community Education Association is interested in keeping you informed about legislation affecting you and your community.  For more information, please contact Kevin Koester at 515-965-9606 x244 or email him at kevin.koester@ankenyschools.org

Federal Legislation
Legislation has been introduced at the federal level on community schools. H.R. 4585, known as the Full Services Community Act is to fund schools in order to improve the coordination, delivery, effectiveness, and efficiency of services provided to children and families. This bill authorizes a competitive grant program. For a comprehensive overview of the bill, go to http://www.communityschools.org/HoyerOnepager.htm

State Legislation

ICEA Day on the Hill - February 27 from 11am-1pm in the Capitol Dining Room

The Iowa Community Education Association (ICEA) strives to develop healthy Iowa communities by getting citizens involved, expanding lifelong learning activities, creating positive youth development programs, and promoting community partnerships by involving schools in making life better and creating a sense of community. 

The ICEA 2008 Legislative platform is as follows:

2008 Session

2007 Session
The ICEA 2007 Legislative platform is as follows:
• Continue to advocate for the establishment and advancement of comprehensive community schools, outlined within Chapter 276 of the Iowa School Code
• Advocate for a funded study not to exceed $100,000 to determine community usage of school and other community facilities.
• Continue to advocate for before and after school opportunities for all children in the state of Iowa.
• Seek a 4 million dollar increase in before and afterschool grants for Iowa communities.

2005 Session
Iowa Community Education (ICEA) had a very positive year in the Iowa Legislature due to the hard work of many, the willingness of members across the state contacting their legislators, and the consistent message that after-school programs are a key element to meeting the needs of our children.  This effort was also led by our very effective lobbyist Ben Norman.  In reviewing our success we are excited by the results but still realize that our state could and should do much more.

The success of ICEA is highlighted by the fact that we managed to get After-school programming codified.  This basically means that After-school programming is officially recorded into the Iowa Code.  This is extremely important as we continue our efforts to expand Iowa’s investment into After-school programming.  This was accomplished by the passage of a bill to provide $150,000 for After-school programs.  We all realize that $150,000 will not go very far in developing programs but it is the first time that the legislature has directly allocated funding for this effort.  The old adage of “You need to state somewhere” comes into play with this allocation.  The insertion of After-school programs into the code and the allocation of funding for programs in addition to the proposed efforts of the Iowa After-school Alliance clearly paints a bright future for our efforts. 

It is important to recognize that ICEA had a positive year in the legislature but also very important to realize that the work has just started.  ICEA cannot rest with these accomplishments but must now move forward to get additional funding.  This can be accomplished by continuing our legislative efforts and increasing our community partnerships, expanding our membership, and continuing to have a solid message.  It is extremely important to bring business to the table for our future discussions.  I hope that all of you will continue your great efforts to assist with this effort.  Without you our children will not get the necessary resources for them to be successful.

2004 Session

House File 2436 (By Berry and Raecker)
An act allowing school districts to request additional allowable growth for before and after school programs and providing for related matters. To learn more or follow this house file, link to the Iowa Legislative website.

2003 Session

The Iowa Community Education Association (ICEA) and School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) jointly advocated for the Public Education Recreation Levey (PERL) and Physical Plant Levy (PPEL) Amendments to be added to the School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) bill that became law this past summer. Increased funding options for community education programs across the state by the Iowa Legislature during this last legislative session was a visionary move during these difficult times for schools, communities, and families.

Senate File 445 became law on July 1, 2003. it provides for equity between rural and urban support from the penny sales tax or School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) tax. The law also includes amendments to afford local districts using the tax to consider two expanded usages for the funds, namely PERL and PPEL. In essence, the law now allows districts to expend SILO revenues, if passed locally to accommodate "all uses under the law". The amendments specifically include funding for any Community Education program, as defined in Chapter 276 of the Iowa Code, as well as other items such as playground or physical plant and equipment purchases.

During the upcoming legislative session this year, ICEA had again agreed upon a strong platform that encourages additional support for community education and before and after school issues. Our association lobbyist, Dr. Ben Norman, who is also the Director of Governmental Relations for SAI, will once again represent us and SAI with the Legislature.

Association inquiries can be directord to the Legislative Committee Chair, Andrew Gross of Des Moines, at 515-242-7575 or via email to andrew.gross@dmps.k12.ia.us