The Pleasant Valley board voted Sept. 22 to transfer $120,000 from the district’s Homeschool Assistance Program carryover into a general‑fund flexibility account to pay for at‑risk and dropout‑prevention programming. The motion cites Iowa Code section 257.44 as the authority for moving categorical carryover into a district flexibility account.

Staff said the homeschool assistance categorical account carried a surplus because enrollment in homeschool services spiked in 2020–21 and later declined. "By making this transfer of $120,000 out of the homeschool assistance program funding, it would bring us down closer to that 25 percent that the state appears to be thinking is a reasonable amount to keep in Homeschool Assistance Program," Mr. Lanesmith said.

Why it matters: The state requires districts to explain substantial carryovers in categorical accounts. District staff said the transfer will reduce the homeschool carryover to a level closer to 25% of program costs and will allow the funds to be used in the general fund’s flexibility account to offset recurring at‑risk and dropout‑prevention expenses that are not fully covered by state categorical funding.

Staff and board members explained that the flexibility option comes from recent Iowa statutory changes permitting limited transfers from certain categorical funds into a general‑fund flexibility account. The board packet listed eligible categorical sources and noted the district’s homeschool assistance carryover was nearly $150,000 at the end of the 2024‑25 fiscal year.

Board action: Director Kanwisher moved and Director Ayers seconded a motion to transfer $120,000 from the 2024‑25 homeschool assistance program project into the general‑fund flexibility account (project 3173) to be used for at‑risk and dropout‑prevention programming under Iowa Code section 257.44. The motion passed on a roll‑call vote with all members voting yes.

Next steps: Staff will record the transfer in the district accounting records, reflect the change on the Certified Annual Report and include an explanation in future state reporting to justify the reduced homeschool carryover.