Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF859

Introduced
3/7/25  

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.(Formerly HSB 217.)

Impact

The implementation of HF859 will necessitate changes to local laws and policies specifically regarding the processes for conducting layoffs within educational institutions. For instance, the bill stipulates that administrative staff members must be considered for termination only after evaluating practitioners primarily based on their performance, measured through various factors, including student academic outcomes and growth metrics. This could enhance accountability and potentially improve educational quality by focusing reductions on less effective staff rather than relying on seniority or tenure.

Summary

House File 859 is a legislative proposal aimed at requiring school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa to establish formal policies governing reductions in force. The bill mandates that these educational institutions adopt clear guidelines for terminating practitioners' employment due to economic conditions such as decreased enrollment or funding, or school closures. This requirement is intended to create a standardized approach across various types of educational settings, ensuring that all institutions apply similar criteria when making challenging employment decisions.

Conclusion

Overall, HF859 represents an important shift towards performance-based evaluations in employment decisions within Iowa's educational landscape. Its potential to reshape how schools approach layoffs could foster a more competitive and effective workforce, while simultaneously sparking essential discussions about job security, educational equity, and the proper metrics for evaluating educational professionals.

Contention

While some supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary reform to ensure that employment decisions in schools are based on performance rather than longevity, opponents raise concerns about the potential erosion of job security for teachers and school employees. Critics assert that the emphasis on performance metrics may overlook individual circumstances and contribute to workforce instability during financial downturns. There is a significant dialogue about balancing accountability with the need for stable employment in the education sector.

Companion Bills

IA HSB217

Related 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.)

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 HF2393

A bill for an act relating to health examinations, surveys, and screenings conducted by school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools. (Formerly HSB 651.) Effective date: 07/01/2024.

IA HF323

A bill for an act authorizing school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools to pay stipends to student teachers.(Formerly HSB 111.)

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.)

IA HF597

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.(Formerly HSB 219.)

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 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 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 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 SSB3092

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.

Similar Bills

CA SB554

Nurse practitioners: physician assistants: buprenorphine.

IA HSB217

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.)

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.