Muskego-Norway Schools Projected to Lose $3.4 Million in State Aid

Though the real numbers aren't out yet, the state Department of Public Instruction has issued projections for the decrease school districts across the state might expect for the 2011-2012 school year.

Assuming district enrollment stayed the same and the equalized value of the district remained unchanged, Muskego-Norway schools could see $3.4 million less, or a 6.7 percent decrease. 

According to Jim Schaefer, school board president, those figures are enough to allow the board to start budget assumptions. 

"We aren't talking specifics," he clarified. "But based on the general belief that we'll see a $500 per student reduction in state aid, we can start to put together a preliminary picture."

Specifics will come during the March 21 school board meeting, but at the March 7 meeting, the board will adopt assumptions that include potential enrollment numbers, projected equalized value of the district, and, of course, some of the figures from the state budget.

Real deliberation and planning will come after Superintendent Dr. Joe Schroeder delivers his recommendations by March 21 for how to balance the district's budget. Whether that includes layoffs or program cuts or a combination of both remains to be seen.

"We have to look closely at everything," Schaefer said. 

Many districts throughout the state issued preliminary layoff notices to faculty and staff, but Schroeder explained because Muskego-Norway teachers have a settled contract, they have not been affected by a flurry of preliminary layoff notices. He is also reluctant to project how the district may deal with the reduction in state aid.

"I don't want speculate," he said. 

Anna Wendt, a teacher at Lake Denoon Middle School, is the chief negotiator and co-chair of the teachers union. She said the Muskego-Norway teachers have a very supportive relationship with Schroeder and they appreciate his unwillingness to make predictions.

"Dr. Schroeder has been very open with us about waiting to hear the numbers before making any decisions," Wendt said. "We appreciate that our district isn't scaring people with projections that may not come true."

One possible outcome that Schaefer said he welcomes is more interest and conversation as the board deliberates the next budget cycle.

"I expect more interest that will certainly turn into more conversation," he said. 

Governor Scott Walker will give his budget address this afternoon, March 1, at 4 pm.