School funding sources outlined by superintendent

Nodaway Valley School Board members heard an overview of the district’s funding sources from Superintendent Pam Stangeland during last Wednesday night’s meeting.

“We do a nice job of talking about how we’re spending money, but sometimes we’re not as clear about where that money comes from,” Stangeland said.

Board members reviewed a chart outlining the district’s funding sources, including state aid, income surtax, property taxes, sales tax, federal funds, gate and admissions revenue, fundraising, student fees and parent fees.

School Business Official Amanda Cox said the district’s primary funding sources are state aid and property taxes. Data from Iowa School Finance Information Services supports that breakdown, showing that, on average, 58 percent of a school district’s funding comes from state aid, while another 32 percent is derived from property taxes. In one recent year, Nodaway Valley received more than $3.8 million in state aid.

“If you ever wonder why I get really jittery this time of year when we’re talking about state aid, that’s because it’s our big pot of money,” Stangeland said. “That’s what has to fund all of our programs. State aid goes to the general fund and preschool. The general fund is where most of our funding is, but the last time I checked, about 78 percent of that goes toward salaries and benefits. It goes to our people.”

Other funding sources feed into areas such as the instructional support levy, physical plant and equipment levy, management fund, debt service, public education and recreation levy, SAVE, student activities and food and nutrition services, which all have unique uses they’re intended for. For instance, PPEL is used for building, grounds, vehicles and technology. The management fund covers insurance, workers compensation, any early retirement initiatives the district offers, risk pools, equipment fixes, unemployment, mediation or litigation.

“In the coming months, I’ll be sharing more about our budget related to facilities and future plans,” Stangeland said. “I wanted you to have a visual reminder of where our funding comes from.”

In other discussion, the board:

• heard from middle school teacher Corinne Bond about a trip fifth graders will take to the JA BizTown event in Des Moines on Jan. 28• discussed cooperation among several departments on maintaining activity accounts• discussed the secured-entrances project, which is substantially complete• discussed implications for professional development related to the 2026-27 school calendar, with a recommendation expected next month• reviewed options for possible changes in district representation to eventually include Orient-Macksburg on the board after it dissolves June 30