State aid drops due to lower enrollment

By Jane Myhra

Iola-Scandinavia Elementary School

A preliminary balanced budget of $7.468 million was approved at the Iola-Scandinavia School District’s annual meeting on Monday, Aug. 10.

The preliminary 2015-16 budget is down, compared to last year’s $7.757 million budget. The main reason for a reduced budget is a drop in state aid due to decreased enrollment.

The I-S School District is projected to receive $3.572 million in state aid this year, compared to $3.684 million in 2014-15.

“Our district has been experiencing declining enrollment,” said Business Manager Sarah Thiel. “This trend will continue.”

Also approved was a preliminary 2015-16 tax levy of $4.055 million. This is down 0.42 percent from the 2014-15 levy of $4.072 million.

With an estimated equalized value of $402.44 million, the tax rate is set at $10.07 per $1,000 of assessed value, down 0.2 percent from the 2014-15 mill rate of $10.17.

The actual budget and tax levy will be approved by the board in October, after the state aid and enrollment numbers are finalized.

An increase in lunch program fees was also approved at the annual meeting. This includes an increase of 5 cents per breakfast and 10 cents per lunch.

There will be no increases to reduced meals, a la carte or milk prices.