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Superintendent warns proposed state budget could cut Mason City Schools about $1.5 million over two years
Summary
Superintendent Jonathan Cooper briefed the board on the state budget proposal in House Bill 96 and said district estimates show about $690,000 in reduced state aid the first year and $800,000 the second year under the proposed model.
Superintendent Jonathan Cooper briefed the board on key items in the state biennial budget proposal (House Bill 96) and other bills under consideration that could affect local school funding. He told the board the district is monitoring the budget as it moves through the House and Senate and noted conversations scheduled with area legislators.
Treasurer Sean (last name not specified) provided the district’s estimate of the budget’s impact: about $690,000 in reduced state aid the first year and roughly $800,000 in the second year, for an aggregate cut of about $1.5 million over two years. The presentation described that amount as approximately 4% of the district’s total state funding.
Cooper said cuts at the state level would shift more of the revenue burden onto local taxpayers and urged district advocacy with state lawmakers. He said district staff would meet with Senator Steve Wilson and Representative Matthews to explain local impacts.
The superintendent also discussed several provisions in the governor’s proposed budget he and staff are watching. Those include updated limits on student cell phone use in classrooms, expanded requirements for the science-of-reading training on a five‑year cycle, adding career language to graduation plans, new career-education transcript requirements, and a requirement for districts to adopt an artificial-intelligence policy by July 1, 2026 if the bill becomes law.
Separately, Cooper said State Senator Andrew Brenner introduced Senate Bill 93 as a placeholder that would propose a major overhaul of school funding, including a uniform per‑pupil amount and elimination of local levies; Cooper said he did not know whether the proposal had traction but that the district would monitor it closely and seek clarification from legislators.
No formal board action was required at this meeting on these bills; the presentation was informational and the board discussed next steps for legislative outreach.
