HSAP legislative update

By julia, February 2, 2010 12:41 pm

From a local HSAP coordinator, appears to be written by Andrea Farrier. Please visit your HSAP coordinator or talk to Mrs. Farrier (contact info below). Three Sisters has no other information. — JULIA

Funding for Home School Assistance Programs (HSAPs)

Department of Education Chapter 98.12 is the restrictive funding rule that the DoE wrote in May of 2009. It would require school districts to spend the money they receive for HSAPs ONLY on teachers and materials. The cost for buildings, operations, maintenances, bookshelves, tables, etc… would have to come from the district’s general fund in order to keep the programs running as they currently are. The Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) referred this rule to the legislature at their December, 2 009 meeting.

  • This rule needs to be taken up, CHANGED, and passed out of the education committee. If not, it will go into effect, as written, at the end of session.
  • If the rule isn’t changed, it will gut what HSAPs offer, or force districts to get rid of these programs entirely.
  • HSAPs save tens of millions of tax payer dollars annually, and HSAPs are a very effective and efficient form of education.
  • HSAPs have been helping home schooling families for over 17 years.
  • Changing this rule is REVENUE NEUTRAL to the state, and would help districts by not forcing them to drain their general funds in order to keep these successful programs running.
  • HSAPs serve an important population of students, whose needs would not be met as successfully anywhere else.
  • HSAPs provide excellent student achievement at a fraction of the cost to tax payers, and need to be supported.

Want more information? Contact the Iowa HSAP Professionals Lobbyist

Andrea Farrier (319) 461 4346

First off, I want to remind you that it is absolutely critical that you contact your state elected officials ASAP about the funding rule (Chapter 98) that was referred to the legislature by the Administrative Rules Review Committee at their December meeting. The chair of the education committee in each chamber will receive this rule. If they allow it to die in committee (not make it to the floor for debate) then it will go into effect as it is written, which would severely limit the way that districts could spend HSAP funds and the services that HSAPs offer. If you’re not sure who your elected officials are, just check out this link. Don’t believe that your phone call will make a difference? Actually, it’s the BEST way to make change happen – and often the only thing that will determine how a bill moves forward.

While every legislator needs to hear about this issue, it is most critical the the education committee members have a thorough understanding of what this rule would do to HSAPs and school districts. IF YOUR LEGISLATOR IS ON THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, IT IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL THAT YOU CONTACT HIM/HER!!!!! These members are (the colors of the names are only because I’ve clicked more recently on some than on others):

SENATE:

HOUSE:

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