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Board members warn modest state budget moves leave district in deficit; special‑education reimbursement shortfall highlighted
Summary
District staff and board members discussed the state biennial budget proposal, which increases special education reimbursement modestly (to 35% and 37.5% in coming years) and leaves per‑pupil general aid largely unchanged; board members said McFarland remains in deficit and cited impacts on programs including a paused DEIB coordinator hire.
Aaron Tarnitzer, district administrator, and several board members discussed the state biennial budget proposal and its implications for McFarland School District finances.
Tarnitzer described the Joint Finance Committee proposals as providing only modest increases in special education reimbursement: from roughly a little over 30% now to 35% next year and 37.5% the following year. He said the district’s earlier request for a 60% reimbursement—estimated to have provided about $1.8 million to the district—was not adopted. Tarnitzer said there was no increase in general school aid and only minimal increases in targeted areas (mental health, transportation, sparsity and limited high‑cost special‑education aid). He warned the district remains in a structural deficit and that the modest increases will not materially change that position.
Board members linked the budget outlook to operational choices: the board mentioned pausing the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) coordinator hire because of uncertainty about funding. Board members also discussed referendums and prior local action: they noted that community support via referendums has helped but does not fully offset state funding constraints. The board urged continued local advocacy and public education about state funding decisions; board members said the district and community should press state legislators for long‑term solutions, including indexing per‑pupil aid to inflation.
Tarnitzer and board members also noted state allocations for vouchers and private education increased in the proposal, a point members said contrasts with the small increases for public school aid. The district will continue to track the biennial budget as it moves through the legislative process and provide updates to the board and community.
Board members and the superintendent thanked community advocates and urged residents to contact legislators; they also said the district will continue to prioritize core student services while preparing for ongoing budget challenges.
