Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HSB217

Introduced
2/20/25  

Caption

A bill for an act requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to carrying out a reduction in force.(See HF 859.)

Impact

If enacted, HSB217 will fundamentally alter how reductions in force are implemented within Iowa's education system. The bill requires institutions to evaluate employee performance based on objective measures, including student academic performance and growth, rather than relying primarily on seniority. This could lead to significant shifts in employment practices and may impact job security for long-serving staff, as decisions will now lean more towards quantifiable performance rather than tenure. The publicizing of RIF policies on school websites within ten days post-adoption aims to enhance transparency and allow for community awareness regarding staffing decisions.

Summary

House Study Bill 217 (HSB217) mandates that school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa adopt specific policies regarding reductions in force (RIF). This bill is introduced with the intent to standardize the process across various educational institutions, ensuring that employment terminations due to economic factors are conducted fairly and transparently. The bill explicitly outlines requirements for considering performance metrics over seniority in making RIF decisions, aiming to strengthen accountability and performance-driven practices in educational staffing.

Contention

Notably, the focus on practitioner performance over seniority could stir contention among educators and associations that advocate for tenure rights. The elimination of seniority as a primary factor in employment decisions may be viewed by some as a diminishing of employee rights, possibly leading to pushback from teachers' unions and advocates for job security. Furthermore, the components of the performance evaluations defined in the bill—including potential subjective interpretations of student growth—may provide room for disputes regarding fairness and transparency in how evaluations are conducted and applied. These dynamics point to a potentially contentious debate surrounding the implementation of HSB217.

Companion Bills

IA HF859

Replaced by A bill for an act requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to carrying out a reduction in force.(Formerly HSB 217.)

Previously Filed As

IA HSB587

A bill for an act relating to education, including by modifying the social studies curriculum provided to students enrolled in grades one through twelve in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and modifying the responsibilities of school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools related to requiring teachers and students to sing the national anthem.

IA HF355

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HF 224; See HF 672.)

IA HSB651

A bill for an act relating to health examinations, surveys, and screenings conducted by school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.(See HF 2393.)

IA HF2073

A bill for an act authorizing school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to employ chaplains, or engage volunteer chaplains, to provide services to students.

IA HF224

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 355, HF 672.)

IA HF672

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. (Formerly HF 355, HF 224.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF2177

A bill for an act requiring boards of directors of school districts, governing boards of charter schools, and authorities in charge of accredited nonpublic schools to adopt policies related to excusing student absences for 4-H club or future farmers of America activities.

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA SF2138

A bill for an act relating to the administration of social, academic, and emotional behavior risk screener tools by school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

IA SF2191

A bill for an act relating to the development of a policy governing responses to a fire alarm activated on school grounds outside of a scheduled fire drill by school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SF 2017.)

Similar Bills

CA SB554

Nurse practitioners: physician assistants: buprenorphine.

IA HF859

A bill for an act requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to adopt policies related to carrying out a reduction in force.(Formerly HSB 217.)

NJ A4447

Allows certain health care practitioners referrals to pharmacies to be made in accordance with certain professional standards.

IA HF672

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools. (Formerly HF 355, HF 224.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF224

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 355, HF 672.)

IA HF355

A bill for an act relating to certain specified employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, including renewal requirements associated with licenses issued by the board of educational examiners to practitioners with master's or doctoral degrees, fees associated with the review of certain specified records, and background checks for employees of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(Formerly HF 224; See HF 672.)

VA SB1119

Telemedicine; practitioner-patient relationship, continuity of care.

VA HB1754

Telemedicine; practitioner-patient relationship, continuity of care.