IOLA BAND STUDENTS ALLOWED TO ATTEND SEPTEMBER AWAY GAMES

  

Iola ISD band members will now be able to attend the football team’s away games in September.

Last week, Iola ISD administrators drew controversy for not allowing the band to attend the team’s first three away games, in order to save on food and fuel expenses.

Iola ISD Superintendent Scott Martindale now says the band booster club and school board will be covering costs for those away games.

Budget reports actually show a $600 increase in the band’s budget compared to last year, up to $2,000 from $1,400.  Martindale says the choice for the band to not attend those games had nothing to do with budget cuts, but rather to build the district’s fund balance.

He says the school board is attempting to increase its fund balance in order to raise its financial integrity rating with the state.  Currently, the district’s rating sits at a “C”, or “meets standard.”

Iola trustees recently approved a budget for the new school year that looks to increase the fund balance by just under $45,000.  Projected revenues total $5.09 million, with expenses at $5.05 million.