From the Desk of the Superintendent...
January 24, 2016
FEBRUARY 2016 DISTRICT DISPATCH
While attending the school board convention in Des Moines last November, I attended a small group session which focused on returning the annual supplemental state aid percentage to a formula calculation. Prior to the 1992-93 school year, the allowable growth funding percentage for school districts in Iowa was calculated using a formula composed of the growth in state revenues and the Consumer Price Index. The resulting allowable growth percentage was announced every September effective for the following fiscal year which runs from July 1st to June 30th. Since 1993, the determination of the rate has been the responsibility of the legislature. Initially, the members of the legislature were conscientious about setting the rate for two years and then each year would add another year to maintain reasonable predictability for school districts. However, as time went on arguing and legislative wrangling resulted in decision deadlines being ignored by the legislature and school districts being left in very difficult positions regarding prudent financial planning.
Since the move away from the formula methodology, the members of the legislature have frequently ignored the Iowa Code by not establishing the supplemental state aid percentage within the first 30 days of the session. This makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for school districts to plan and maximize resources for student achievement. This is particularly true because school districts are still held to their deadlines for certifying their budgets for the following year. Local school district officials are forced to make important financial decisions without adequate information. It is very much like shooting at a target blindfolded.
Two options were proposed for addressing the problem. They were as follows: (1) Return to a formula-driven methodology for determining the supplemental state aid rate. This would allow school districts to plan more effectively and use available resources for improving student achievement. Political partisanship would not create the stalemate that often exists now; or (2) Create a different default than the zero percent as it is now. Without systemic change that allows school districts to freeze salaries and benefit costs, it is not realistic to have the default rate at zero percent. In fact, such a default rate encourages some members of the legislature to disagree because they know the result will be a zero percent increase in school funding. If the legislature cannot agree on a supplemental state aid rate within the first 30 days of the session, then the default should be automatically set at a predetermined rate, or a rolling average of the supplemental state aid over the last two or three years, or a cost of living index between years.
At the end of February, veteran Underwood Community School District employee, Lewie Curtis, will step down from his current position and begin working as the director of officials for the Iowa High School Athletic Association on March 1, 2016. Mr. Curtis began working for the school district in the fall of 1987 and has served as a teacher, coach, middle school principal, and activities director over the past 29 years. He has been instrumental in helping students at Underwood combine academics and activities and succeed at a high level. Thank you, Mr. Curtis, and best of luck in your new position with the IHSAA!
Please note that there is no school for students on Friday, February 19, 2016, because of winter break. In addition, there is no school for students on Friday, February 26, 2016, because of professional development activities for faculty members.
