The Ames Community School District ended the school year with a general fund balance of $10.1 million.
This amount comes from last year’s beginning balance, plus revenue, minus school-year expenditures. During its Monday meeting, the Ames School Board reviewed and approved the financials for the school year ending June 30, 2026.
The district ended its year with a solvency ratio of 14.5%, aligning with the set target of 7 to 17%. A solvency ratio represents the amount of unassigned money, cash on hand, available for spending. This money does not come from a grant or is assigned to a grant.
Chief Financial Officer Sherri Ruzek said their end-of-year financials leave the district with two months’ worth of cash on hand for spending — exactly where the district should be.
“You know, we don’t want to be in a situation where we have six months’ cash in hand,” Ruzek said. “That means we’re not spending money to educate our students. I feel like this is a comfortable place to be.”
Spending for students
According to its financial report, compared to surrounding districts, Ames the 2025-26 school year in the eighth decile for Unspent Authorized Budget (UAB) per pupil.
The scale falls from one to 10. Lower numbers indicate more UAB per pupil. Schools like Ames, which fall into the higher category, have less UAB per pupil. This means they are spending the money on students instead of letting the funds sit.
Previously, Ames Schools stood at a ten on the decile level for 2021 to 2023, before dropping to a nine in 2024. Spending per pupil was directed toward adopting a new school curriculum.
Current student spending is $14,000 per student from the general fund, Ruzek said.
For a full look at the financial report, look here.
In other business
- The board approved the 2026-2027 school calendar amendment to change the school calendar semester end date. The change was presented during the Sept. 21 meeting.
- Ames High junior Noah Shin joined the school board as a student representative. He will serve as the student representative for the Ames Schools from the first regular board meeting in October to the last regular board meeting in May.
- Board members spent their work session discussing PK & Beyond’s alignment with the Ames School District’s strategic plan.
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