The IKM-Manning Community School District Board of Education has four seats up for reelection next week and the two candidates running for the District 1B seat offered their viewpoints during last week’s candidate forum in Manning. Amy Ferneding, a school board member for nearly 10 years is seeking reelection against former IKM-Manning teacher, Larry Blake. District finances have become a major concern for voters, and the candidates were asked how they can lessen the impact of decreased funding from the state and federal governments. Blake says the only way funding can be increased is by upping student enrollment. He claims there needs to be increased engagement with legislators to make funds available for education.
Ferneding says there is very little the board can do to increase funding to the school. She says they sometimes have to make cuts to fit the budget that are unpopular.
Ferneding adds the only way to generate additional money for the district is through events like IKM-Manning’s STEM Gala.
According to Blake, the district’s funding issues would not be as concerning if they were not constrained by spending guidelines from the state.
The IKM-Manning School Board election takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The polling location for all eligible voters is at the Manilla Fire House at 443 Main St. District 1 consists of the area east of 340th St., north of 2500th St. and east of Yellowwood Rd. A map of the IKM-Manning voting district can be found included below this story.
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