Comment on Funding cuts to state agencies could mean loss of jobs

The Iowa Board of Education on Thursday approved a 2015-16 budget for the state’s area education agencies that includes a slight decline in overall revenue.But the director of the agencies — which provide support for special education and other services to Iowa schools — said it’s inadequate funding by the Legislature that likely will mean job and service cuts next school year.For each of the last three years, Iowa AEA Executive Director Brent Siegrist said, the Legislature has provided the agencies $15 million less than is called for in the state’s education funding formula.