Iowa school districts are suppose to certify their budgets for the next school year by next week, however, the legislature continues to argue about increasing supplemental state aid.

District 47 Representative Chip Baltimore from Boone says supplemental state aid is how much money per pupil a district can receive for additional funding.  Last week, the Senate dropped its proposal from four percent to 2.6 percent while the House’s proposal remains steadfast at 1.25 percent.  Baltimore states that even at 2.6 percent, it’s still $50 million more than the House’s proposal.  He claims that the Senate wants to make up that difference from the state’s surplus.  Baltimore doesn’t agree with the Senate’s perspective.

“That additional $50 million is going to be built into next (2017 fiscal) year’s budget.  So if you’re taking something from the surplus to pay for something that’s going to be built into next (2017 fiscal) year’s budget that only exacerbates the problem of trying to find the money to do any increase next (school) year.”

In regards to school budgets, Baltimore says they need to plan accordingly.

“But in the declining revenue environment, which is what we’re in, it’s one of those things that school districts need to plan for some tight times.”

The issue is still in a conference committee.  Baltimore notes that if no decision is made, then supplemental state aid will be set at zero percent.

Districts must certify their budgets by April 15th.