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Board hears finance update as unspent authorized budget rises; approves special-education supplemental request
Summary
The district reported an increase in its unspent authorized budget from about $2.6 million to $3.6 million (near 8% of revenues) and discussed solvency targets; the board approved an allowable-growth special-education aid request of $865,192.86 and introduced a resolution to continue the instructional support levy.
Lewis Central officials told the board Sept. 22 that the district’s unspent authorized budget rose from about $2.6 million to $3.6 million for the fiscal year ending 2025, a ratio just under 8% of general-fund revenues. The district said the board’s target remains 10–15% to provide a three-month “rainy day” fund and that staff will continue to plan strategically before spending beyond that threshold.
The finance presentation said the district’s general fund balance was roughly $9 million versus about $42 million in general-fund revenue, putting the solvency ratio near 24% (fund balance as a share of revenues). Presenters cautioned the board that some funds are restricted categorical balances and that the district must avoid hiring ongoing staff funded solely from temporary categorical balances without sustainable funding.
During the meeting the board approved an allowable-growth supplemental special-education aid request for fiscal 2024–25 totaling $865,192.86. A district official explained that most Iowa school districts run special-education deficits because federal and state funding formulas do not fully cover high-cost placements or intensive outside services; the allowable-growth mechanism asks the state for additional authority to levy to cover that gap.
Separately, the board introduced and approved a resolution to consider continuing participation in the district’s existing instructional support program levy (a local levy the board has used for years). The levy provides funds restricted to classroom instruction and teacher compensation; the board will hold the public hearing and final vote at a later meeting as required by statute.
The finance presenter said the district would continue to prioritize increasing the unspent authorized budget to the board target, then evaluate strategic uses for those funds including potential staffing, maintenance and facility investments. The board voted to approve the special-education allowable-growth request and moved forward with the instructional-support levy resolution.
