The Iowa legislature has indicated that they’ve agreed on an increase in state supplemental aid for the 2015-16 school year.

The agreement comes almost two months after school districts had to certify their budgets for the upcoming school year.  The agreement includes a 1.25 percent increase in per pupil spending with an additional $55.7 million for one-time funding.  While Greene County Superintendent Tim Christensen is happy that a decision is made, he’s not necessarily happy about the one-time money.  He says it’s a major challenge for school districts to spend one-time money because people want it to go towards salaries.

Because the Greene County School Board certified its budget based on the 1.25 percent increase, Christensen points out that no further lay-offs will be necessary.

He’s frustrated that districts have had to wait til June to find out how much more money they will get from the state.  However, because of how long it took the legislature to agree on school funding this year, Christensen anticipates it will take just as long every year moving forward.

He believes there is a better system out there for districts to receive funding, other than on a per pupil basis.  For smaller, rural districts like Greene County’s, Christensen says declining enrollments will continue to be an issue because fewer students doesn’t always translate to fewer expenses.