The Ionia County Intermediate School District (ISD) Board convened on Thursday to approve the final amended budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The revised financial plan reflects adjustments due to delays in the adoption of the state budget, resulting in a more concise amendment process compared to previous years.
Marvin Van Nortwick, the ISD Finance Director, explained to board members that this year’s budget amendments were “abbreviated” due to the timing of the state financial report, known as the State Aid Status Report, which is typically released each November. According to Van Nortwick, the prior November’s report contained significantly more data than the current year’s because the state budget was adopted later than usual.
“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,” Van Nortwick stated after the meeting.
The general fund budget was reduced from $7,295,225.77 to $7,187,535.77, reflecting a decrease of $107,690. This modification was primarily due to fluctuations in the final amounts of various grants compared to initial estimates. Similarly, the special education fund budget decreased from $28,398,434 to $28,151,129, a difference of $247,305, also attributed to changes in grant amounts. The vocational educational fund budget saw a reduction from $2,846,461 to $2,815,776, amounting to a decrease of $30,865.
During the meeting, Van Nortwick characterized these budget changes as “mostly housekeeping” and noted that any matters not addressed in this amendment will be revisited in future adjustments. The board unanimously approved the amended budget with a vote of 4-0, while Trustee Amber Rood was absent.
Other Board Actions
In addition to the budget approval, the Ionia County ISD Board also addressed other important matters during the meeting. They voted 4-0 in favor of the annual summer tax resolution, allowing the ISD to collect summer taxes. Furthermore, the board held a closed session lasting fifteen minutes before voting 4-0 to approve the latest version of the district’s emergency operations and safety plan.
These decisions reflect the board’s commitment to effective financial management and the safety of students and staff within the Ionia County Intermediate School District. As the fiscal year progresses, the ISD will continue to adapt its budget in response to state funding changes and the needs of its educational programs.
