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SchoolsTuesday, November 10

Iowa City school leaders still have no plan to cover a $2.2 million activity fund shortfall

The Good Day Iowa City teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

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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 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.

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

  • 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

Sources: KCJJ, The Gazette

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University of IowaUniversity of Iowa drops its standalone cancer center and plans a $13 million research buildout insteadIf you follow UI Health Care, the plan for a standalone cancer center is off. Two years after the Board of Regents gave the go-ahead, UI officials say the building isn't moving forward: “Because of projected budget constraints, the standalone building is not advancing at this time.”Today’s editionRead

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