(Des Moines, Iowa) – Friday marked the end of funnel week for the Iowa Legislature. House District 23 Republican Representative Ray “Bubba” Sorensen, from Greenfield, said in his weekly summary of activity at the Statehouse, one of the bills that squeaked by on a thin bi-partisan margin in the Education committee (12 to 11), was a bill he drafted for the Iowa Youth Congress (but was simultaneously drafted by Rep. Steckman, who ultimately ran the bill), granting a student a non-voting seat on their school board. The school boards didn’t like it, Sorensen says, because it has the word “shall” instead of “may”, but I think an amendment that states a student must satisfy the board’s application process first, is a middle ground between shall and may, by still allowing the boards to decide if a student is worthy to sit on the board.

“We also ran a teacher empowerment bill out of Education Committee,” Sorensen said, “after receiving feedback from teachers about their experiences in the classroom. Teachers are not necessarily getting the support they need from their administration, and in many ways, they are hindered in their ability to discipline students that are disruptive and protect themselves against students who are violent.

Rep Steckman and Soresnsen with some of the Iowa Youth Congress in the Speaker’s Chair.

“HSB 206 is likely not in its final form and we are continuing to work with folks in education to make it the best bill possible, but right now it allows teachers to make a complaint directly to the ombudsman’s office regarding violence in the classroom and requires the ombudsman to investigate, the school district must ensure their teachers know their rights regarding teacher immunity when coming in physical contact with a violent student. Requires teachers to notify the parent/guardian within 24 hours if they witness student injury, including teacher whistleblower protections. Lays out a 3-strike system for student discipline. First offense – meet with school counselor and one day of in-school suspension. Second offense – meet with school counselor and 5 days of in-school suspension. Third offense – student is removed from that class and if in high school, will not receive credit for that class.”

He said Sorensen, along with Representatives Matson and Siegrist, had a bipartisan bill that would direct the Dept. of Ed to establish a work group to examine various topics related to Iowa’s current methodology for determining levels of student poverty and funding related to students from low-income households. It fell prey to late drafting by LSA and just not enough time to get through committee, but there may still be hope.

Also, last week, Soresensen said the House Veterans Affairs committee passed House Study Bill 205 to provide veterans injured in military service certain discounts on hunting licenses and allow the use of a crossbow while hunting with a tag during archery season.

House District 23 includes parts of Adair, Madison, Dallas, Union, and Clarke Counties.  You can reach Rep. Sorsensen at Ray.Sorensen@legis.Iowa.gov.