Democrats to boost school funding« Thread Started on Feb 5, 2007, 7:02am » --------------------------------------------------------------------------------Democrats to boost school fundingBy THE ASSOCIATED PRESSread at source> http://www.timesrepublican.com/News/art ... ID=6412DES MOINES - Democrats in control of both chambers of the Legislature announced Thursday that they have agreed to approve a 4 percent increase in basic state assistance to local elementary and secondary schools.Since their budgets are a mixture of state dollars and local property taxes, the $108 million hike in state funding is expected to force a $28.8 million increase in property taxes.Basic state funding for education is set a year in advance, so the proposed increase would be for the 2008-2009 school year. Approval of the plan is likely to come as soon as next week, said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs."We're excited about this first start in terms of the appropriations for education," he said, adding that the increase would boost per-pupil funding by $213 to a new level of $5,546 per student."We're going to make a significant commitment," he said.