WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HF 2358

A bill for an act authorizing community-based providers to directly participate in the statewide preschool program for four-year-old children.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HF 2358 lets community-based providers participate in Iowa’s statewide four-year-old preschool program, funded through foundation aid that districts must use to supplement, not rep

Fiscal note.
#children #preschools #privateeducation #statewidepreschoolprogram
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 2358

Summary of HF 2358 (Session 2025-2026, Iowa)

Purpose

HF 2358 authorizes community-based providers to directly participate in Iowa’s statewide preschool program for four-year-old children. The bill aims to expand access and flexibility in delivering high-quality preschool by allowing local programs and community partners to be funded and operated under the statewide framework, while preserving fiscal safeguards.

Key Provisions

  • Funding intent: Preschool foundation aid is intended to supplement, not supplant, existing public funding for preschool programming.
  • Accounting and separation of funds:
    • Preschool foundation aid payments to school districts must be accounted for separately from other state aid payments under Iowa Code section 257.16.
    • Districts must maintain a separate line-item listing in their budgets for preschool foundation aid receipts and expenditures.
    • Districts must certify to the Department of Education that foundation aid funds were used to supplement, not supplant, the district’s existing preschool programming funding.
    • Preschool foundation aid is treated as miscellaneous income for purposes of Chapter 257.
  • Use of funding (permitted uses):
    • Funds may be used for any purpose determined by the local district board of directors that meets standards for high-quality preschool instruction and benefits students enrolled in the approved local program.
    • Authorized expenditures include, but are not limited to:
    • Professional development for preschool teachers
    • Instructional equipment and supplies
    • Materials to develop large and small motor skills
    • Translation services
    • Playground equipment and repair
    • Food and beverages for children
    • Safety equipment
    • Facility rental fees
    • Other direct costs that enhance the approved local program
    • Contracting with community partners to provide services
  • Transportation costs: Funds may be used to cover transportation costs for the approved local program.
  • Facility construction restriction: Foundation aid may not be used for the costs of constructing a facility in connection with an approved local program.

Affected Parties

  • School districts: The primary recipients of preschool foundation aid payments, with added requirements for accounting, reporting, and certification that funds supplement existing preschool expenditures.
  • Approved local programs and community providers: Eligible to participate directly and receive foundation aid support through the statewide preschool framework, subject to board-determined uses and standards.
  • Department of Education: Responsible for overseeing certification that funds are used to supplement, not supplant, existing preschool funding and for maintaining compliance with budgeting and reporting requirements.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill establishes structure for:
    • Separate budgeting and accounting of preschool foundation aid within school districts
    • Certification requirements to the Department of Education regarding supplementation of existing funds
    • Flexible use of funds by districts and approved local programs to meet high-quality preschool standards
  • The text provided does not specify explicit new deadlines or sunset provisions; instead, it sets ongoing governance and fund-use rules, with district boards retaining discretion on eligible expenditures and partnerships.

Potential Impacts

  • Access and flexibility: By enabling community-based providers to participate directly, the program could expand access to preschool services and offer more diverse delivery models.
  • Local control: District boards gain broader authority to determine how funds support quality improvements, including partnerships with community organizations.
  • Fiscal safeguards: Clear separation of foundation aid from other state aid and strict supplementation language aim to prevent double-funding or misuse.
  • Quality enhancements: Allowable uses focus on essential quality improvements (teacher development, instructional resources, safety, translations, and student development supports).

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a specific audience (e.g., policymakers, parents, or school administrators) or add a comparison to current law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.