Recent vote brings school funding back into spotlight

Recently, the Iowa State Legislature held a vote on funding for school districts. Senator Bill Dix of Shell Rock, who represents Grundy Center and the surrounding districts, voted against a budget increase that would give $3 million in additional funding to the 21 schools in his districts.
While the Iowa Senate voted for a four percent increase in funding, the House voted for a two percent increase. If the two percent increase would be approved instead of the four percent increase, area schools stand to receive anywhere from $46,000 to $348,000 less in funding for the next school year.
For Grundy Center, the schools would receive $112,305 less for funding, while Dike-New Hartford would receive $157,025 less, BCLUW would receive $98,808 less, and Gladbrook-Reinbeck would receive $100,990 less. The district that would lose out on the most money would be Waverly-Shell Rock, with $348,264 less for funding.
Grundy Center superintendent Jerry Schutz said that while it’s his job to work with what’s given to him, it’s important to have enough money to provide the best resources to students.
“Do schools need the money? Of course they do,” Schutz said. “But it’s my job to work with the resources that are given to me. In the end, if we don’t get enough money and can’t provide the resources we need to, that will have an impact on the kids.”
For the full story, check out the February 11 edition of The Grundy Register.