The Ionia County Intermediate School District (ISD) Board approved amendments to its budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year during a meeting on Thursday. The decision comes as part of the board’s ongoing financial management efforts, reflecting adjustments in state funding and grant allocations.
During the session, ISD Finance Director Marvin Van Nortwick presented a summary of the amendments, noting that this year’s changes were notably less extensive than in previous years. He attributed this situation to delays in the adoption of the state budget, which affected the timing of the financial reports typically released in November.
“The state comes out with their financial report called the State Aid Status Report every November,” Van Nortwick explained. “The one in the prior November was much larger than the one this current November because of the timing of the adoption of the state budget. A lot of these things weren’t ready as they normally would have been because the state budget was adopted so late.”
The board’s general fund budget decreased from $7,295,225.77 to $7,187,535.77, representing a reduction of $107,690. This adjustment stemmed from unexpected fluctuations in various grant amounts. Similarly, the special education fund budget was amended downwards from $28,398,434 to $28,151,129, a difference of $247,305, while the vocational educational fund budget saw a decrease from $2,846,461 to $2,815,776, reflecting a reduction of $30,865.
“These budget amendments are relatively abbreviated compared to prior years because of the timing of the state budget,” Van Nortwick stated. “I would classify it as mostly housekeeping.” The board voted unanimously, with a count of 4-0, to approve the amended budget, while Trustee Amber Rood was absent from the meeting.
Additional Resolutions Passed
In addition to the budget amendments, the Ionia County ISD Board addressed other important matters during the meeting. The board voted 4-0 in favor of the annual summer tax resolution, which enables the ISD to collect summer taxes.
The meeting also included a 15-minute closed session discussion focused on safety protocols. Following this, the board approved the latest version of the district’s emergency operations and safety plan, with another unanimous vote of 4-0.
The actions taken by the Ionia County ISD Board reflect a commitment to maintaining fiscal responsibility while ensuring that essential educational and safety measures are upheld. As the board moves forward, any items not addressed in this amendment will be considered in future adjustments, ensuring that the district remains responsive to changing financial conditions.
