Governor Kim Reynolds says she and other Republicans at the statehouse are close to an agreement on how much “new” state spending to send Iowa’s public schools.

Reynolds has proposed a two-and-a-half percent increase in per pupil spending. Two other proposals have already passed the legislature. One increases support of geographically large school districts with hefty transportation costs. The other commits new money to help equalize per pupil spending across all Iowa districts. House Republicans have voted for the governor’s proposed spending levels. School district must finalize next year’s budget by April 15th. Margaret Buckton lobbies for the state’s largest districts as well as rural schools. She says schools must provide public notice and hold board meetings before that.

Nearly 488-thousand students are enrolled in the 330 public school districts in Iowa.