State budget plan would mean deficits for local schools

WISCONSIN RAPIDS— Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools stand to lose almost three-quarters of a million dollars in the 2015-16 school year if Gov. Scott Walker's proposed state budget is approved as is by the Legislature.

Under Walker's proposed biennial budget, all public school districts would lose a $150-per-pupil state aid allotment in the 2015-16 school year, followed by a restoration of that allotment at $165 per pupil in 2016-17. Districts would undergo a net loss of $135 per pupil during the two-year period and, overall, revenue limits — the amount of money districts can raise through property taxes — would remain flat under Walker's proposed budget.

For the Wisconsin Rapids district, the elimination of this $150-per pupil categorical aid would translate into a loss of $771,000 for the 2015-16 academic year, according to estimates from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

The DPI also estimates that, in 2015-16, the Nekoosa School District would lose about $187,800, Pittsville schools would see $90,750 disappear, and Port Edwards schools would be stripped of $59,025.

In Adams-Friendship, the rural school district would lose $250,800 as a result of the cut in categorical aid. This would be somewhat offset by about $46,000 the district would gain in state transportation aid due to a proposal in the budget that provides additional transportation and technology funding to rural schools, said Rick Waski, the Adams-Friendship school district superintendent. But overall, the district would face an aid deficit of about $205,000, according to projections from the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance.

"With the cost of goods and services increasing, this is a cut to our budget. The proposed budget is more about tax relief than it is about aid to rural schools," Waski said.

Waski said prior budget cuts forced the district to eliminate post-retirement health insurance benefits and privatize the district's busing.

"We have made numerous significant budget cuts that have really been difficult on staff financially and have adversely affected morale," Waski said. "... Under this budget proposal, more very difficult cuts would need to be made."

Adams-Friendship's declining enrollment also is a concern when it comes to the school district's financial health, Waski said. Fewer students means less state aid and more worrisome cuts.

"Spread out over 13 grades, it is difficult to make budget-saving cuts when you only reduce three or four students per grade level," Waski said.

Port Edwards Superintendent Pat Sullivan — whose district would lose close to $60,000 — said in an email that the loss of the $150-per pupil categorical aid, combined with budget cuts the past several years, would hurt the district's students. Sullivan said the district will receive some sparsity aid — categorical aid distributed to less populated school districts with students spread out over a wider geographic area — although the amount is not yet known.

"Our costs will go up next year, and we will still need to find a way to fulfill all of the state requirements for assessments, standards, and teacher evaluation," she said.

Nekoosa Superintendent Terry Whitmore echoed a similar train of thought.

"In order to meet the needs of our students, their families, and the community, we need consistent funding," Whitmore said in an email.

Overall, Wisconsin public schools will lose about $127 million in 2015-16, due to the elimination of the $150-per pupil categorical aid, according to DPI estimates.

"WRPS has been systematically cutting millions each year," said Wisconsin Rapids Superintendent Colleen Dickmann in a email. "This year we have yet another deficit and the governor's proposal simply adds to it."

Melanie Lawder can be reached at mlawder@cwnews.net or 715-423-7200. Find her on Twitter as @mel_lawder.

Approximate loss in public school funding in 2015-16 due to the elimination of the $150-per pupil categorical aid*

Wisconsin Rapids: $771,000

Port Edwards: $59,025

Pittsville: $90,750

Adams-Friendship Area: $250,800

Nekoosa: $187,800

Marshfield: $583,875

Stevens Point: $1,130,325

*These numbers were compiled by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction