The Knoxville Education Association requested a 6% funding increase for teacher salaries and benefits at the last Knoxville School board meeting.

At a special meeting yesterday the District issued a statement with their counter proposal, 1.82%. The district cited uncertainty about the amount of Supplemental State Aid (SSA) the Legislature will give Iowa Schools in their proposal. Governor Terry Branstad suggested a 2% increase in his State of the State Address, but the Republican Majority in the Legislature just came out of committee with a 1.1% increase. Knoxville Superintendent Cassi Pearson tells KNIA/KRLS News the district must be conservative in light of these numbers. She says all of the numbers from the Legislature and insurance premiums need to be established before the any kind of commitment can be made. On February 16, the KEA and the School Board will meet in closed session to negotiate a settlement. Senator Amy Sinclair tells KNIA/KRLS News the final vote on SSA is planned for Thursday.