McFarland board members report consortium push for special‑education funding, stepped-up communications

Board member Chapman and Superintendent Tarnitzer told the McFarland School District Board that they attended a Greater Dane County School Governance Consortium meeting in Madison last week and that special‑education reimbursement remains the consortium's top political advocacy priority.

The consortium "had all requested a 100% of special ed reimbursement," Chapman said, and districts received 32.4% in the most recent biannual budget, a shortfall she and others at the meeting flagged as significant. Chapman also said "state aid funding has not increased or has not changed since 02/2009," a point presenters used to underscore the need for sustained advocacy.

The meeting included small‑group discussions on governance, instruction and communications. Chapman and Tarnitzer described best practices other districts use to keep residents informed, citing examples from Verona, Mount Horeb and Middleton. Chapman said some districts employ communications directors and use short video recaps, podcasts and targeted social media strategies; she noted Verona produces two‑ to three‑minute board recaps and bimonthly podcasts and that Middleton hosts community breakfasts to reach residents without children in the district.

Tarnitzer said the table where McFarland sat included superintendents from Verona, Oregon and Madison and noted the value of hearing how larger districts organize communications and use data to inform governance.

Why this matters: board members said the consortium discussions reinforced two priorities for McFarland — continuing advocacy for higher special‑education reimbursement and improving district communication practices so residents better understand budgets and priorities.

Board members said they will continue to press for statewide coordination of the message to the Legislature and to pursue communications improvements locally.