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STARTS RIGHT NOW. MAJOR CHANGES TO THE THE STATE’S AREA EDUCATION AGENCIES ARE NOW OFFICIALLY LAW. THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW THIS AFTERNOON. CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER AMANDA ROOKER IS LIVE AT THE STATE HOUSE. AND THIS IS A MAJOR VICTORY FOR THE GOVERNOR. IT IS JODI. THAT’S BECAUSE AT THE START OF SESSION, GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS LISTED THE REFORM AS A TOP PRIORITY. AND DESPITE FACING SOME PUBLIC BACKLASH AND EVEN SOME OPPOSITION FROM HER OWN PARTY, WHEN SHE FIRST INTRODUCED A BILL IN JANUARY, TODAY SHE CELEBRATED GETTING THE REFORM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE. FLANKED BY REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND A FEW SUPERINTENDENTS. GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS CELEBRATED THE STATE’S NEWEST LAW, REFORMING AEAS. IT’S JUST FUNDING TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, EMPOWERING THEM WITH LOCAL CONTROL TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO SERVE THEIR STUDENTS AND IMPROVE EDUCATION OUTCOMES WITHOUT DISRUPTING SERVICES OR DISMANTLING THE SYSTEM. THE GOVERNOR ALSO PRAISED HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS, WHO BOTH WROTE THEIR OWN PROPOSALS AND SPENT WEEKS WORKING ON A COMPROMISE. WE HELD NUMEROUS MEETINGS WITH EVERYONE AND WORKED WITH ALL SIDES TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT THAT IS A WIN FOR EDUCATION IN OUR STATE. THE BILL ITSELF MAKES CHANGES THAT ARE MODEST AND FAIR, BUT NECESSARY AND WILL POSE NO THREAT TO THE VIABILITY OF THE SYSTEM. THE NEW LAW SHIFTS FUNDING FROM AEAS TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. STARTING NEXT YEAR, SCHOOLS WILL GET 60% OF GENERAL EDUCATION AND MEDIA SERVICES FUNDING THAT GOES UP TO 100% IN THE FALL OF 2025. THAT SAME YEAR, SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE 10% OF SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDING. SCHOOLS CAN STILL CONTRACT WITH THE ESE, OR THEY CAN SPEND THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE. STATE DEMOCRATS HAVE OPPOSED THE CHANGES, SAYING THEY COULD PUT STUDENTS IN JEOPARDY. WE’RE GOING TO BE WANTING TO HEAR FROM FAMILIES OVER THE NEXT YEAR. HOW IS IT WORKING FOR YOU? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT’S HELPING YOUR CHILD, OR HAVE THEY LOST SERVICES? HOUSE MINORITY LEADER JENNIFER COMPHER SAYS STATE DEMOCRATS WILL TAKE THE ISSUE TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AHEAD OF NOVEMBER’S ELECTION. I CAN’T IMAGINE THAT THIS WON’T BE A CAMPAIGN ISSUE BECAUSE IOWANS ARE FURIOUS ABOUT THIS AND THESE PEOPLE, THESE REPUBLICANS, NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PUSHING THIS BILL THROUGH. AND THE NEW LAW ALSO RAISES SALARIES FOR BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED TEACHERS. IT ALSO GIVES SCHOOLS MORE MONEY FOR EDUCATION SUPPORT STAFF. LIVE FROM TH