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Iowa City school leaders still have no plan to cover a $2.2 million activity fund shortfall
The district's books show a $2.2 million hole and a thinner balance
- $2.2 million
- in the red in the student activity fund
- $4.5 million
- moved from a salary fund since fiscal year 2015
- $24.5 million
- across all funds at the end of fiscal year 2025
- $38 million
- less than reported in November 2025, almost
Sources: KCJJ, The Gazette
If you have a kid in Iowa City schools, the money picture is still murky. Leaders have no plan to cover a $2.2 million shortfall in the student activity fund, which pays for athletics, music and clubs. It could have started building over a decade ago.
“It’s hard to punish today or tomorrow’s students for issues that could go back as many as 10 years or more….some funds are negative, upward of six figures.”
Curt Pratt, Iowa City schools chief operating officer, to the Financial Oversight Committee
The district has moved about $4.5 million from a salary fund into the activity fund since fiscal year 2015. Pratt and Chief Financial Officer Pat Moore recommend an annual activity budget. And a new audit shows the district ended fiscal year 2025 with $24.5 million across all funds, almost $38 million less than it reported to the state in November 2025.
- Audit filed: nearly 200 days past the March 31 deadline
- Enrollment: about 14,400 students
- Records gap: nearly three years of spending and revenue unaccounted for
Iowa City schools plan $13.8 million in cuts next fiscal year
Source: KCJJ
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Next fiscal year | $13.8 million |
| Following three years | $18.7 million |
