Governor Terry Branstad has released his budget and proposed a 2.45% increase in state supplemental aid. Speaking of the 2016 legislative session, Washington Community Schools superintendent Jeff Dicks said he hopes they set the budget early so they know what they have to work with before they have to certify their budget in April. He explains when funding isn’t set early on in the session it is like throwing darts and hoping to land where they need to.

State Senators Kevin Kinney and Rich Taylor said Saturday that they want the allowable growth to be above the governor’s proposal.

Washington School District has 52 fewer students enrolled this year than last year. The district received approximately 60 new students, but enrollment still declined due to families moving out of the district. The decline in enrollment means the district is looking to cut $500,000 to $750,000 from its budget for next year. One tool they’re using to cut costs is by offering early retirement packages.

For the full interview regarding school funding listen to today’s Washington Page.