Monday was a tough day for Manhattan/Ogden’s USD 383, as the State Finance Council made decisions regarding requests for emergency funding.
The district, which requested $498,000.00 will receive only $26,000.00
Superintendent Bob Shannon told KMAN Wednesday, that although he and other districts had prepared for Monday’s session in Topeka – upon their arrival, things suddenly changed.
A threshold on enrollment increase was put in place, impacting the funding eligibility of districts’ across the state. According to Shannon, in past years districts would receive funding for enrollment increases at the end of the year – assuming their audit remained accurate. Announced in Monday’s meeting, enrollment for the following year will need to be above two-percent to make the district additional funding eligible.
Shannon said that despite a disappointment in Topeka, the district still plans to meet the needs of its budget for the year. A recent increase in property tax, cash reserves and cuts of up to $1 million will help achieve this.
Supt. Shannon spoke to KMAN’s Cathy Dawes on Wednesday morning. The full interview can be heard below.
