State Cuts Aid to NW Wis. Schools
Posted at: 10/15/2012 4:12 PM
| Updated at: 10/15/2012 4:15 PM
Almost all public school districts in northwestern Wisconsin will see less state aid this year as the state sends more money to private school choice programs in southeastern Wisconsin.
The state Department of Public Instruction said Monday that 64 percent of districts, or 272 out of 424, will get less money than they did last school year. In the WDIO viewing area, every district except Shell Lake will see a reduction in aid.
The largest percentage cut of about 15 percent will be seen in the Bayfield, Birchwood, Hayward, Mercer, Northwood (Minong), Siren, Solon Springs, South Shore, and Spooner districts. Superior will see a reduction of $203,407, which is a cut of less than one percent.
Shell Lake will see a 24 percent increase, meaning an additional $522,335.
Even though state aid increased by about $32 million, the amount public schools will get will decrease over the prior year after about $158 million is directed toward private school choice programs in Milwaukee and Racine.
The nearly $4.3 billion spent on school aid this year is down more than 7 percent from what schools received two years ago.
Each year, the state is required to notify district by Oct. 15 with the actual amount of how much state aid they will receive for that year.
(Copyright 2012 WDIO-TV, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
 |
Print Story | | |  |
