Ames School Budget and Teacher Salaries Uncertain

The Ames School Board approved its certified budget for the 2013-14 year this week without knowing whether or how much state aid per student will increase July 1.

The approved levy rate of $14.47 is .001 cents higher than the current rate so it will not increase the district's share of the property tax asking much, but the board had to approve the budget without actually knowing how much money it can spend.

“It's a very frustrating situation,” said Ames Superintendent Tim Taylor. “State legislators have yet to determine what our increase in state aid will be, which is known as allowable growth.”

Democrats have proposed a 4 percent increase in the state's per student formula while Republicans have suggested just 2 percent. 

Taylor said the district drafted operating budgets based on both a 2 and 4 percent increase.

“We are not just sitting here waiting,” Taylor said.

But the uncertainty has slowed negotiations with the district's teachers, who requested an initial raise of 8 percent. Negotiations began in January.

Taylor said he hopes to reach an agreement that will keep everybody working.

The Iowa Association of School Boards said that about 80 percent of a district's budget goes toward paying staff and that allowable growth typically covers salary increases and benefits.

Teachers requested 8 percent to make up for the lack of previous raises in the past and would increase base teacher salaries from $28,500 to $30,700, according to an article in the Ames Tribune.

The district plans to discuss possible budget scenarios and negotiations in a special meeting 5:30 Monday at the district's office on Stanton Avenue.

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