A bill providing public schools extra money to cover Covid-related costs has won bipartisan approval in the Iowa House. $27 million would be split among all districts, but Republican Representative Dustin Hite of New Sharon says districts that had the most in-person classes would receive the largest share of funding.

“We all know in this room that kids in school is the best learning environment for the vast majority of our students in the state of Iowa, but this year is took a little bit extra to get them in the room and that’s what this bill does. It helps with that extra cost.”

The House plan gives a financial break to districts that had buildings damaged in derecho last August and could not hold classes until repairs were done. Those districts will receive a full stipend, as if they had in-person classes during the entire fall semester. The bill now goes to the Senate for review.