[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6163444,"mediaKeyId","5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d","parentId",5435019,"title","County finance warns of CDEV aid shortfall; recommends monitoring and limited use of fund balance","audioSeconds",310,"startMs",2698000,"endMs",3008000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d&start=2698&end=3008","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d/thumbnail_2698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6163444/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/County-finance-warns-of-CDEV-aid-shortfall-recommends-monitoring-and-limited-use-of-fund-balance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163444-a571f2c57b84de1687324583c609cd36/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227178&Signature=EZDow5kpTznGrfhwdPU4vt-JfCUiXWfE~Kb6THrMRHmJVZW7EFn8Ck92jP8of79ezeiHXHE2owgcOKZQNh0tRG78ijGPBPtj-YtZWUTYvWRToY0YKni~TPs83nioN3Lkg15QPYzL6cUZskI9kuHX08aJZAKmMrqeT9zw-sCrZB~8zlLFlA3msyydNVeC1jUMXb0aXnFSeOiTDYpDqwYRkURx0s1v1atEeDgZ1to5aVD87WvA5u0Uo1ZZFYaYz97ApoWHfWQ055MhhsgRiXyNVlw69dzBPK873FlQv~Xe1Uf2qHsbqCWlhuA7E2uwAUuHrjqbbTByeFHxNVbhnfJGIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","WI / Walworth County ","date","2025-07-16T00:00:00Z","article","Walworth County finance staff informed the Children with Disabilities Education Board on July 16 that Lakeland School’s state aid from the CDEV pool has fallen significantly compared with budgeted expectations because Lakeland’s reported expenditures declined over the past two years while expenditures in other CDEV districts rose.

What staff reported
Finance staff described how the state distributes CDEV aid among participating districts based on each county’s reported expenditures, partner-district property values and cost-per-pupil comparisons. Lakeland School’s expenditures dropped notably in the past two years, and that decline reduced the county’s share of the CDEV pool despite the statutory distribution method remaining unchanged.

Planned mitigation and limitations
Staff said the county’s fund balance can withstand fluctuations for now but cautioned that future revenue may be lower and that the finance committee planned a budget amendment to use interest revenue to offset part of the shortfall. Staff said the planned amendment would cover about $150,000 of an estimated $470,000 shortfall; additional measures may be needed later in the fiscal year if other savings or revenue sources do not materialize.

Operational considerations
Staff recommended monitoring fund status, avoiding major operational changes while revenues are uncertain, and reviewing tuition-billing practices (which the board addressed separately). Finance staff said that increasing tuition revenue (bringing more tuition students) and restoring full staffing (which raises reimbursable expenditures) would tend to increase aid in future distributions.

Outcome and next steps
This item was informational; finance will present a budget amendment to the finance committee and continue to monitor the CDEV fund, returning to the board if additional action is needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board - July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","County finance staff told the board July 16 that Lakeland School’s state CDEV aid has fallen because Lakeland’s reported expenditures declined while other counties’ CDEV expenditures rose, and recommended monitoring the fund and using interest revenue to partially offset the shortfall.","taxTitle","Walworth County, Wisconsin","taxId",54224,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163449,"County staff previews photovoltaic study for Lakeland School; recommends waiting until roof replacement",197,563000,760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d&start=563&end=760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d/thumbnail_563000.jpg","/articles/6163449/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/County-staff-previews-photovoltaic-study-for-Lakeland-School-recommends-waiting-until-roof-replacement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163449-00d644ebed6db04a0b9ff125e33bfc6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227178&Signature=MLdgU9PL-2iLkvPkG6IuAZ80egpSpJVXYtnCWAmhcbfhbu8HRld9MTC6VRRP8P0BdC0sKKyM2t6L-DKNdU5Nd2d~LSx4TX~x1elj1fWXyR7u0s74~yqJS5fX1zXxQPgZ3m6BshCrVdWY1JyxWwuwX9BZiyQJjZc3hN4vHVAodbXlT~j4tNVICTbypSIl6xAp0naB4TjCSkVPywVqRcurBtOFAluuQofkKqjWUezAzGmLz~r-UOpGOnUIAfwp61sazBzy4LwvK9l4ccxVYa62ksz4SyUcRopgLwxeiONid~2O1BHhzLKKjq~VQTe~YH6SaQ-pdTSAaz~8KwgMu4OCJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walworth County staff summarized a Harwood Engineering renewable-energy study July 16 that evaluated multiple options for Lakeland School and concluded photovoltaic panels are the most practical approach, but recommended delaying installation until after scheduled roof replacement work.

Study findings
Staff said Harwood’s analysis considered solar photovoltaic systems, solar water heating and other technologies; most options outside PV had high operations/maintenance costs or poor return-on-investment profiles. For PV, staff described a range of scalable options: a small system (about 10 kilowatts) costing “a hundred and some thousand dollars” up to a system sized to approach net-zero that would cover the roof and include some ground-mounted arrays. Staff said the study estimated a 7–10 year payback and a 25-year expected panel life; the building’s annual use was reported at about 1,100 kW (as discussed in the packet).

Recommendation to wait for roof replacement
Staff strongly recommended not installing panels before a roof replacement. The proposed CIP already includes roof replacement funds; staff said it would be “foolhardy” to put panels on a roof that will be replaced soon because that could require removing and reinstalling panels and raise costs. Instead, staff recommended reserving PV planning for the roof-replacement timeframe and then engaging an architect/engineer and contractor to design a system sized to the then-current incentives and costs.

Practical considerations
Staff noted incentives, panel costs and incentive structures are changing quickly and that a future design phase should take advantage of incentives available at that time. They said schools are good solar candidates because their consumption occurs during daytime hours and capital funds can support long-term investments.

Outcome and next steps
This was an informational presentation. Staff recommended postponing any PV installation until after roof replacement and designing a project in concert with the roofing timeline and future incentive programs.","An engineering study identified photovoltaic (PV) as the most viable renewable option for Lakeland School, with estimated payback in 7–10 years, but staff recommended not installing panels before an upcoming roof replacement and suggested right-sizing a future project to incentives at that time.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163454,"Lakeland School project update: new carpeting, courtyard sunshades, siding replacement planning, sensory room on schedule",463,112000,575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d&start=112&end=575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d/thumbnail_112000.jpg","/articles/6163454/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/Lakeland-School-project-update-new-carpeting-courtyard-sunshades-siding-replacement-planning-sensory-room-on-schedule","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163454-c5bc05ad5279a1a54c71269491260335/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227178&Signature=YAfRD6xb~DdqhXqbpFoDPvPiKzSQjU1MWICqj~Q0lpDD0BwNQRuXkdpK2r93hEGyJiOWM-2kN7jAJjz8xggJtOiWq3TecEO8Y7ZHcsIr3SQvYEJZcgBIivD6Kg7843siPWoDieiF1t~jOdbXfHkXbE-SnT1P3nn87AgWCvGaaoQ1wbGKMRIXqczP5Ho~9DfWDRBpPjHbHJ1FhVQVNzPiQyEDa2M2LN6KknScZ4aamdclp8t~0DGvQLoRQkPbRm-u4q5MagOwTWVAlHUy1gPTDm-d6qbJCmHRy2Y6PpJOYKDE3XF~tQ4~KFw6PWK3y5bDZ5~-T4mllHSZuUz2VYuMcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Walworth County Department of Public Works staff gave the Children with Disabilities Education Board a multi-project update July 16 covering ongoing and planned capital work at Lakeland School, including completed carpeting, courtyard repairs, a planned siding replacement, a sensory-room build, and phased work on gym audio and the stage.

Completed and ongoing projects
Staff reported that carpeting and baseboards have been replaced in classrooms, speech and language areas, administrative offices and therapy staff rooms. The new carpeting is expected to last about 15 years if well maintained.

Courtyard and sunshade work
Courtyard sunshade replacement and pergola bench rebuilding are out for public bid; staff said they hope to award a contract in July or August and start work in August. Work includes rust removal, paint and pergola repairs. Staff noted weather could extend the timeline.

Exterior siding and front colonnade refresh
Staff described deterioration of the tan fiber-cement siding (fading, fracturing and water infiltration). The county negotiated a one-time payout of about $14,000 from the original siding vendor, CertainTeed; staff said CertainTeed has since gone out of business. Garland (an assessing firm) recommended full siding replacement in courtyard and second-floor areas, with cedar-shade refinishing and board replacement as needed. Staff said the siding project is tentatively budgeted at $530,000, planned for bid in 2026 and execution thereafter; the front-entry colonnade will receive a refresh and repainting, with test-cleaning methods being evaluated to avoid a full sand-down that would significantly increase cost.

Sensory room, cubbies and gym audio
Construction of a multi-faceted sensory environment is ongoing; staff anticipated construction completion by the end of the month and that FF&E installation would occur the week of Aug. 11 so the room is ready for the next school year. Cubby/locker replacements are in fabrication with lead times pushing installation to an October break or winter break.

Gym stage audio
A planned line-array speaker installation above the gym stage raised structural concerns about the load. Staff split the project into two phases: Phase 1 (completed) installed dependent speakers to cover daily needs and replaced damaged wall panels; structural steel reinforcement is underway so the line-array speakers can be safely installed. Staff warned that vendor scheduling and required work could require a partial three-day shutdown of the gym area during installation.

Mechanical systems, pool and transport
All three boilers have been rebuilt over the past three years; boiler 2 was rebuilt in June to extend life. A pool alkalinity-management unit was installed this summer. A passenger van ordered for student transport remains on track for September delivery; staff said the CARA Foundation has donated funds and will be updated about delivery.

Security project and RFP
Department of Public Works is developing an RFP for a countywide security project that would include school exterior security and broader county facilities.

Outcome and next steps
This was an informational update; board members asked clarifying questions about schedules, budgets and contractor selection. Staff will proceed with bidding and scheduling and return with contract awards and schedule confirmations as projects progress.","County staff updated the board on multiple Lakeland School capital projects: classroom and administrative carpeting replaced, courtyard sunshade bids pending, exterior siding replacement planned for 2026, sensory room construction due to finish this month, and gym audio staged in two phases because of structural concerns.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163459,"Walworth County board adopts new tuition-billing method, raises space-reservation threshold to 80% and phases in increases",1084,776000,1860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d&start=776&end=1860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d/thumbnail_776000.jpg","/articles/6163459/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/Walworth-County-board-adopts-new-tuition-billing-method-raises-space-reservation-threshold-to-80-and-phases-in-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163459-5ce123f07bd8e132aee3a3dee2ac871a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227178&Signature=eP8Glvlgn5SY-13iUgGoK6YGXquHfJenqRLj2uJ7oNBdtfUfz3SUJKG~yN5QUa6S4I-BiX5e3amx03o37~nXGeuHFD7s9mkqFXOVPBrDFOhDxgoHuH6bmRHEfftzBAbsTtemsrSU6oo9ZptsfUBzhP57E-H3iAY~loGlBducWDiIejeLfhHn4SAKdLpxtFYvpsyG3Fk~lXP4WWVqErXh100uDoawq3XftuYTF8UiutPjSx4cAHdqTKqN7hwK5RroNZCm7thnpNEReSRwIludQNwUwZOtEUSefsXvP5BLQBruJD1ZvbyOVjZNsBaIkL9-bap8MnycsQMFmj5O1DfmPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board voted July 16 to adopt a revised tuition-billing method for Lakeland School and to set classroom capacity planning at 80 percent to reserve space for partner districts and tuition placements. The board approved a phased, three-year implementation for existing tuition students; new tuition students will be billed at the full revised rate immediately.

Board action and context
The board, which met July 16, approved the methodology after staff described changes intended to capture previously unbilled costs and to make billing more equitable across students. The new approach uses a full-time-equivalent (FTE) calculation for each student and groups staffing costs by department rather than assigning a single teacher or therapist cost to each student.

The change was prompted by a partner district request and a staff review with county finance. Staff said the previous method underbilled part-time students because the per-student costs were divided by enrollment counts that treated part-time students as full-count enrollments for some calculations. As staff put it, the new model “uses a full time student equivalent,” which distributes part-time costs proportionally so the school recovers a greater share of fixed and indirect costs.

Why it matters
Staff and board members described three core changes: switching to FTE-based student counts, grouping staff costs by department to reduce tuition variation caused by which specific teacher or therapist a student happened to be assigned to, and expanding the set of expenses included in tuition (for example, adding depreciation and substitute-teacher costs while excluding costs already covered by IDEA, federal grants, or summer-school expenses). Staff said the change will produce higher tuition estimates for some nonpartner or out-of-county tuition students and will reduce unexplained variation between otherwise similar students.

Board discussion and safeguards
Board members sought and received an explicit commitment that districts facing “significant increases” would be offered a phased approach to implementation; staff said the board-approved motion includes a three-year phase-in for existing tuition students. Staff also said new tuition students admitted after the change will be billed at the full, revised rate from the start. Staff noted that the state’s increased appropriation for the high-cost grant (for students whose costs exceed $30,000) may offset some district costs for high-cost students.

Space availability and placements
Earlier in the meeting staff presented a July space-availability study for Lakeland School that adjusted the reserve threshold from 70 percent to 80 percent capacity to ensure the county’s partner districts have room for placements. The study sets classroom capacity limits (K–12 classrooms described as supporting up to 10 students; early-childhood classrooms up to 7) and ties acceptance of tuition students to therapy-service capacity (speech, occupational and physical therapies). Staff said therapy capacity, not general classroom seats, is the main limiting factor for accepting additional tuition students.

Implementation timing and billing cadence
Staff said districts will receive an initial estimate in October and an actual reconciliation in June or July after the school year ends. The board directed staff to work on billing cadence options; staff said they are evaluating whether to provide more frequent interim bills (for example, a midyear invoice for calendar-year accounting purposes) to districts that need to book costs earlier in their fiscal year.

Outcome and next steps
Motion: Approve the new tuition-billing methodology, implement a three-year phase-in for existing tuition students, and bill new tuition students at full cost on admission. Mover: Stanek; Second: Monroe. Vote: motion approved (board recorded “aye” unanimity at roll call). Staff will share final tuition estimates after September–October cost reconciliations and will explain phased adjustments to affected partner districts.","The Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board approved a revised tuition-billing methodology and an 80% space-reservation threshold for Lakeland School, including a phased three-year approach for existing tuition students and full-cost billing for new tuition students.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6163440,"Board approves staff and student handbooks, conditional health practices and related policies; DPI air-quality guidance noted for school year",473,3327000,3800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d&start=3327&end=3800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5435019-43f7904be453d1f5b40f8253edf5eb5d/thumbnail_3327000.jpg","/articles/6163440/Walworth-County/Wisconsin/Board-approves-staff-and-student-handbooks-conditional-health-practices-and-related-policies-DPI-air-quality-guidance-noted-for-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163440-e11ff2b63153e3b196308300134e3890/orig.mp4?Expires=1775227178&Signature=eLPSMkuk1YjiwRah6lApllImtBOLqHFX1~9yhosY08C~u4Za57u1wtfp4M0V4GJV2avGEj-0qVAqJJfPfhW0GL2QHujGDtHKKOBqZw2MQBGuLAH8~pvUUi0vhUnxYk-PCAPGy9e7vqa805V~WN5WLsJmQG1sNNx71TyWcv4CiszDCDkH3uK1Yhh2Wc3PhkrFZ58cSaxTMsXqfqJOFrpi86uQjxu~D-6GJv-qQ0xQIZXV5pMuJ3bSsgCRWS9qcFx4DoVCc3TqLh1bMitc7AIJ8qHDv3AEEr1Ddb7Grdu-GWOHYJ~va9eAL5DeN6BsFEzxbloqVVU-40KUCptMDHTTcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 16 meeting the Walworth County Children with Disabilities Education Board approved updates to the Lakeland School staff and student handbooks, adopted conditional health practices to start the year in an in-person, masks-optional Phase 4, approved records and Title IX–related policy updates, and acknowledged Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) guidance on communicating air-quality events.

Handbooks and policy updates
The board approved proposed revisions to the 2025–26 staff handbook and the student handbook. Staff described a range of changes to the staff handbook, including disciplinary language for time-card errors, clarifying PTO request increments (half-day or full-day where possible to ease sub coverage), updates to secondary-employment practices and the addition of school-counselor sick-leave language. The behavioral-response protocol was updated to reference the UKARO program, and school-closing procedures were updated to reference county ordinances.

Student handbook updates
Updates to the student handbook included revised dismissal times on the 2025–26 calendar, clarified absent-notification responsibilities, updated emergency-closing language (to harmonize with modern weather-service terminology), updated health criteria for keeping students home and removal of outdated mass-screening summaries. Graduation requirements were updated to reflect DPI guidance (for example, 0.5 credit for personal financial literacy where applicable).

Conditional health practices
School administrative and medical staff recommended starting the year in Phase 4 (in-person learning, masks optional, no quarantine or isolation, open campus for family/community). Staff said they plan to finalize a more comprehensive single-document conditional-health protocol with the school nurse and present it to the board if future changes to phases are needed; the board approved the Phase 4 start.

Records, Title IX and related policies
The board approved a records policy change to limit sharing of directory data; staff noted counsel (Rennig Lewis) confirmed that releasing even limited directory data could reveal special-education status and that the school will not release directory data broadly. The board also approved Title IX policy and related suspension/expulsion procedures noting Lakeland School will not expel students (partner districts are the responsible LEA for such decisions) but may follow suspension processes consistent with state and federal law.

Air-quality guidance
Staff noted DPI’s outdoor air-quality index (AQI) guidance and said the school will take initial steps to use AQI guidance this school year to inform activity decisions during poor air-quality events (for example, wildfire smoke days).

Outcome and next steps
Motions to approve handbooks, conditional health practices and the suite of policies were passed in the meeting. Staff will implement handbook changes, finalize internal conditional-health documentation with the nurse, and proceed with Raptor visitor-screening implementation in front vestibule as planned.","The board approved the 2025–26 staff and student handbooks, adopted conditional health practices for in-person learning (Phase 4), approved records and Title IX–related policies, and noted forthcoming use of Wisconsin DPI air-quality guidance.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County finance warns of CDEV aid shortfall; recommends monitoring and limited use of fund balance

County staff previews photovoltaic study for Lakeland School; recommends waiting until roof replacement

Lakeland School project update: new carpeting, courtyard sunshades, siding replacement planning, sensory room on schedule

Walworth County board adopts new tuition-billing method, raises space-reservation threshold to 80% and phases in increases

Board approves staff and student handbooks, conditional health practices and related policies; DPI air-quality guidance noted for school year