As
previously reported, current estimates resulting from the governor’s
proposed state budget result in a deficit for the School District of the
Menomonie Area of close to $1 million for the 2015-2016 school year.
Nearly half of that budget deficit is directly related to the
elimination of state per pupil aid, while the other half of the deficit
comes from the revenue limit freeze that eliminates new revenue that is
needed for projected inflationary increases such as salaries, benefits,
consumables, etc., and other changes in school district needs and
priorities. Next year’s budget in Menomonie is also impacted by the need
for local funding to pick up costs for student academic interventions
in buildings no longer qualifying for federal funding.
Over the
past several weeks, district officials have been holding meetings and
listening sessions to collaborate with staff members and get more input
from the board and other stakeholders as the budget continues to be
developed for consideration in the months ahead. We are hopeful that the
legislative process will improve the fiscal landscape for K-12 public
education before the final state budget is approved, but it is still
unclear if legislators (including our local representatives and state
senators) are willing to address these concerns on behalf of the public
schools in our communities.
One of
the greatest challenges facing school officials in setting the budget is
that many difficult decisions need to be made without knowing all of
the important information. It is unlikely that the final state budget
will be approved by the legislature before June, yet state law requires
that most employment contracts in the school district to be issued by
May 15. In Menomonie, we are doing everything we can to prioritize
direct student services, instructional programming, and acceptable class
sizes. As we build next year’s budget, we are mindful about what is
needed most in order to continue offering the personalized, rigorous and
well-rounded educational experience that has made our progressive
school district so attractive to a large number of students, families,
employees, and prospective businesses over the years.
While
the district is considering several efficiencies that include the
service models currently employed in our human resources department,
athletics, and school libraries, it is probable that next year’s budget
will be mostly balanced by freezing compensation and benefits for all
school district employees. While compensation for some employee groups
might be competitive enough to better handle this type of consideration
for one year, this is not the type of solution that can be relied upon
in the future if we intend to maintain the quality of education that is
expected in our local schools. If the state budget is not improved by
the legislature, and public schools continue to receive lesser emphasis
at the state level, it is likely that the school district will be forced
to ask taxpayers for additional local support or face possible
reductions in some of the basic services and programs for our students.
Should
school stakeholders have any questions about the budget, or anything
else in our school district, I invite you to visit the Administrative
Service Center on Pine Avenue or contact me at 715-232-1642. More
information about our schools can be found on the school district
website (www.sdmaonline.com) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/sdmaonline).