State Senator Kevin Kinney (D) listened to administrative and board concerns at the Mid-Prairie School Board meeting November 13. Photo by Sam McIntosh.

State Senator Kevin Kinney (D) gave his predictions on how the next legislative session will affect education at the Mid-Prairie School Board meeting Monday night.

A former school board member at Clear Creek Amana, Kinney answered questions the board and administrative staff had about the upcoming legislative session. Kinney commented on how the supplemental state aid increase may look in 2018, “The biggest question I’m getting from all the school boards is the supplemental state aid. I would like to come in here and say yes we’re going to try to go after 3% or 2.5% or anything, I really feel that we’re going to be very fortunate to get zero.”

Kinney predicted some things that may happen in 2018, including a renewal of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education, or SAVE funding. This funding gives one cent from sales tax money to improving school facilities and technology. Kinney said he expects sharing agreements to continue, and pointed to how the sharing of Human Resources Coordinator and Buildings and Grounds Director between Mid-Prairie and Clear Creek Amana has benefited the two districts with state incentives of approximately $70,000. The board and staff discussed issues including mental health, racial disparity in Iowa’s teaching population, and tax credits for corporations. Board President Jeremy Pickard says State Representative Jarad Klein (R) has been invited to speak to the board at their next meeting.