Board hears annual treasurer report: solvency ratio rises to 11.64% amid recent construction and enrollment shifts

During the October meeting the board received the district’s annual treasurer report, a statutory presentation required by Iowa Code 279.33, detailing fiscal year 2025 results, solvency metrics and implications of recent changes in state funding streams.

Chris Wood, director of business affairs, told the board that revenues exceeded expenditures by $753,000 for fiscal 2025 and that the district ended the year with a solvency ratio of 11.64% (the district’s target range is generally 10–15%). Wood said the district’s balance increased by about $502,000 over FY24.

Wood pointed to several factors that affected the district’s finances: state supplemental aid increases that lag inflation, large capital projects completed or underway (Big Creek Elementary completion, middle school and Central Elementary additions and renovations, West Elementary renovation, softball/baseball field work and a CTE addition), and enrollment shifts. "We ended the year, with revenues exceeding expenditures by 753,000," Wood said.

Certified enrollment: The superintendent reported that certified enrollment as of Oct. 15 showed the district down 13.4 students from the prior certified count. Earlier in the year the district had recorded an increase of about 46.18 students in the prior fiscal…