Earlier this month, the Iowa Legislature passed a 1% increase to state supplemental aid for k-12 public education. Many superintendents across the state, including Panorama’s Shawn Holloway, feel that is not enough to support most school districts.

While Holloway is disappointed the level isn’t higher, he’s keeping a realistic mindset on financial support from the state. “We have to understand that the state budget is fairly tight right now. Truly the legislation is doing the best they can in holding K-12 education harmless versus some of the other areas of their budget that have had to take a hit. I think maybe the bigger question is how can we generate more revenue in our state.”

Holloway doesn’t believe the increase will affect the budget too much, but rather the total spending authority for the District. He also says the overall decline in enrollment in the District will have more of an effect on the budget than the state supplemental aid.