Each year school district’s across the state set legislative priorities for lobbyists to work on at the capitol and the state’s administrators do the same.

Perry Schools Superintendent Lynn Ubben recently attended the SAI’s annual conference and says educators continue to be concerned about the low amount of allowable growth they’re given from the state.

Ubben says she wants to see that allowable growth percentage increase but if it’s not going to, perhaps it’s time to look into other options.

“We have categorical funds, and quite a few in a district, that can only be used for a specific purpose.  So you might look at that and say ‘Well look what you have in that.’ Well, it can only be spent on this, this and this.  Kind of like our statewide penny and (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy), when you look at ‘Oh gee, you have a nice new ball diamond and lights but what about supplies?’  Certain things can only be used for certain things and it’s illegal to use them for other things.”

So perhaps, Ubben says it’s time that law is changed.

“I’d like to see some of those categorical funds, maybe 75 percent is used for that category, but if you had 25 percent left maybe it could be used for the general fund or all kids’ supplies.”

Ubben says she’s not sure how likely it is that that will happen but as they’re talking to legislators, that might be something to consider.