Gov. Scott Walker’s funding proposal for schools might result in staff layoffs, fewer elective classes and an end to the technology program that puts a laptop in the hands of all students in grades 7-12, according to Oconto Falls School District Administrator Dave Polashek.
According to information presented to the board, the district anticipates a decrease of $450,758 in state funding for its next school year.
“This is impossible. You can’t do this!” was Polashek’s reaction to Walker’s biennial budget plan shared with the School Board on Feb. 9.
The budget proposal is subject to revisions by legislators before Walker signs it into law.
According to Laurel Patrick, press secretary for Walker’s office, the budget protects the state’s commitment to K-12 schools by increasing equalization aids and other categorical aid programs, while at the same time reducing property taxes for homeowners.
The budget proposal adds $108 million to equalization aids and $211 million in the school levy credit for property tax relief, according to Patrick.
Revenue limits, however, are not increasing. The revenue limit is the amount districts are allowed to raise and spend from a combination of state aids and local property taxes.
According to figures presented to the board, the district’s revenue limit would decrease from $17.4 million to $17.2 million if Walker’s budget is passed as proposed.
Patrick also said school districts paying high costs for transportation will benefit from a $5 million increase in categorical aids.
According to Polashek, the district’s share of the $5 million is $8,000, which makes little dent in the district’s $900,000 transportation budget.
For rural school districts, the budget provides $8.4 million more in sparsity aid, increases the reimbursement per pupil for high cost transportation and invests $25 million to enhance broadband in schools, Patrick said.
The budget proposal also eliminates per student categorical aid for 2016. Districts for the 2014-2015 school year received $150 per student, or about $267,300 for the Oconto Falls district, over and above state aid.
“It was one way we got additional money for this year,” Polashek said.
Walker’s budget proposal restores per student categorical aid at about $165 per student for 2017.
Even if there are no increases in salary, health insurance costs or general maintenance next year, the district will spend more money just to maintain the status quo, Polashek said.
“The money we have is going down even though the costs are going to be going up,” Polashek said. “It’s going backwards.”
Polashek said the result could be budget cuts.
“One of the things we’ve been doing is the one-to-one computer program for students. We wouldn’t be able to do that anymore,” he said.
Board member Jan Stranz said cutting programs is a concern.
“Kids coming through the system can’t go back and pick it up at another time,” she said. “That’s what really bothers me.”
Another area that would suffer would be the annual replacement of buses. He said some buses no longer pass inspection, and the district will need to “nurse along” the older buses, which are not as reliable as new ones.
“Right now our plan is to replace two buses one year, and then one the next and so on,” Polashek said. “We’re a little bit behind (that schedule) right now.”
Other cuts could include staff layoffs and program elimination. Polashek said the district takes pride in offering a variety of classes, including art and music.
“We may have to decrease the offerings we have,” he said.
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