School Superintendent Weighs In on DPI Projections

A detailed report of the impact a proposed cut to school revenues could have on districts statewide was recently released by a professor at the LaFollette School of Public Affairs at UW-Madison. While the numbers are projections and can only speculate on what may come in the Governor's budget, they are nonetheless thorough and paint a sobering picture of the fiscal challenges that lie ahead for school districts.

Muskego-Norway School District Superintendent Joe Schroeder was hesitant to comment in any great detail, stating, "It would be almost reckless to comment on the stated numbers, as we still have yet to hear the specifics of Governor Walker's budget."

The budget address will take place at 4 p.m. today, March 1, and Schroeder said that he had no inside track on what it will hold. 

"It's information that has been held tightly to the vest," he said.

The data reflects a $500 decrease per student in the sum of general aid received from the state.  Muskego-Norway Schools, with an enrollment number of 4,848 would see an overall 6.7 percent reduction in aid, or $3.4 million according to the study.

However, Schroeder cautioned that the $500 number may be applied to a biannual budget, which carries the reduction over two years and creates a much different impact.

"School funding overall is a complex issue, with all sorts of modulations that can impact districts in different ways," he added. "(The report) is a well-intended effort based on a common theme we've been hearing, and it represents a thorough analysis.  However, we are also aware of cost savings that may be gained on the local level which may lessen the impact of the reduction in aid."