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Resident urges district to curb taxes, says focus on sports may be hurting enrollment
Summary
At a public hearing on the proposed FY27 budget, Kevin Stewart, who identified himself as a Mass County zoning commissioner, said taxes are rising, enrollment is declining and recent spending — including a new sports complex — seems to prioritize athletics over academics.
Kevin Stewart, who identified himself as a Mass County zoning commissioner, told the Interstate 35 Community School District board during the FY27 budget public hearing that his property taxes have risen and that declining enrollment should prompt a re‑examination of district spending.
"It looks like our taxes in the I35 school district are going up again," Stewart said, adding that a levy described as temporary had been extended. He questioned whether district priorities — including a new sports complex — are drawing resources away from academics and asked what the district is doing to reverse the enrollment decline and be "more responsible with spending."
Board members acknowledged Stewart's remarks but did not offer a detailed response on specific budget tradeoffs at the meeting. The board's formal budget process continues: administrators noted a workshop to review how the budget adjustment and levy will be funded, and the board later approved a resolution to levy property taxes for fiscal year 2026–27 under Iowa Code §257.14.
Stewart also said he is involved in community planning work and emphasized that local efforts to shape housing and community environments are part of addressing enrollment trends. The board did not propose immediate changes in response to his comments; the district's budget workshop and the formal FY27 budget review are the next opportunities for staff to respond in detail.
