Mt. Pleasant School District sees growth in general fund

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant Community School District’s financial standing remains stable, with growth in key funds such as the general and management funds, according to the February financial report presented by Director of Finance Jessica Boyer at the Board of Education meeting on March 10.

“The general fund in 2024 ended at $7.8 million, increasing to $8.3 million in February 2025, a growth of $542,000,” Boyer reported.

According to Boyer, the student activity fund also saw an increase of $50,000 over the year.

The management fund, which covers expenses such as property and workers’ compensation insurance, increased by $162,573, bringing the total to $2.5 million. Boyer noted that maintaining this fund is crucial as insurance costs continue to rise.

Similarly, the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) fund, used for infrastructure and maintenance, grew from $2.2 million in February 2024 to $2.5 million in February 2025, reflecting a $304,000 increase.

The capital projects fund, which is largely supported by the statewide penny sales tax, decreased by $240,000 to $3.3 million. Boyer attributed this decline to transportation maintenance costs, specifically the new addition of the district’s central receiving location on East Monroe Street.

Meanwhile, the debt service fund remained relatively unchanged, reflecting a consistent financial position in managing long-term obligations.

The district’s nutrition fund experienced a decrease from $927,000 in February 2024 to $879,000 in February 2025. However, Boyer described the change as a positive shift, explaining that the district had previously received an influx of federal funding due to COVID-19 relief programs and supply chain disruptions.

“This is really, really good, since, as I explained last month, we had an influx of federal funds over the last three to four years with supply chain and COVID money that kept coming in,” Boyer said.

A review of budgeted versus actual expenditures showed that most funds are being managed efficiently. The management fund has spent 87.15% of its budget, a percentage Boyer said is expected due to large insurance premium payments occurring in July and August. Other major funds, including PPEL and capital projects, are within their expected expenditure ranges.

“We would like to be getting no higher than 67% of our expenditures at this point in the fiscal year, and everything else is right where we want it to be,” Boyer noted.

With overall financial stability and growth in several funds, district leaders remain confident in the district’s fiscal health moving forward.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com