NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Haven USD 312 Superintendent Craig Idacavage said the Special Education funding increase is really small when it comes to his district for the 2023-2024 school year.
"I think we'll see like $12,000, compared to like $200,000 that we pay out of general fund for that," Idacavage said. "Certified staff, I believe we are full there for our buildings. We will be short on some paras that they will keep trying to hire throughout the summer."
They will get much more benefit from the increase in the base state aid in the coming year.
"With the increase of the base, we'll see an increase in our general fund, which is the money that we'll use for negotiations. Also, we'll get to use last year's enrollment, so we can plan."
Those specific numbers are counted in September, but then audited later in the year to be sure they are accurate. Dealing with those final numbers is kind of the last new thing for Idacavage as he wraps up his first year in USD 312.
"Closing this fiscal year's budget out and then going through our needs assessment and starting back up," Idacavage said. "I'm back into that new water part, but Mr. [Former Superintendent Clark] Wedel, he comes in and helps me when I need it, so I appreciate that."
Idacavage also noted that one of the big challenges for the district is a lack of housing in Haven, as there are more people that want to move in than there are places to put them, which is a good issue to have when many districts are declining in enrollment.
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