Iowa House Approves Landmark Teacher Pay Raise

The Iowa House has passed a bill raising the minimum teacher salary to $47,500, marking a nearly 50% increase for starting teachers and the largest teacher pay increase in the state’s history. This move aims to elevate Iowa to 12th in the nation for average teacher pay, with Governor Kim Reynolds pushing for a further increase to $50,000 by 2026. The bill also includes pay raises for non-salaried school employees, such as paras, bus drivers, and administrative staff. Despite the positive development, school districts are still awaiting clarity on state funding as the education budget remains pending.