Board updates Rep. Adam Nalan on special‑ed reimbursement concerns and voucher costs
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Summary
Board members reported a constructive meeting with Rep. Adam Nalan on state funding issues: special education reimbursement appears prorated to roughly mid‑30% on initial payments with a June reconciliation expected, and the district estimates local funding for private school vouchers exceeds $800,000 annually.
Board members reported to trustees that a delegation from the Pewaukee School District met with state Representative Adam Nalan to discuss budgetary pressures, special education reimbursement and private school voucher impacts.
A board member said the district is "north of $800,000 a year now going to help fund private voucher schools," a figure discussed as part of broader advocacy on state resource allocation during the meeting. Trustees said they raised concerns about districts subsidizing private voucher programs while public schools remain subject to mandates.
On special education funding, finance staff said the state budget had projected reimbursement at 42% but early payments were prorated; first payments were around 35% and staff anticipated a reconciliation with the June payment that could settle near roughly 38.5–39%. Finance staff said that a one‑percentage‑point shift in the reimbursement rate could mean roughly $50,000–$70,000 for the district in the budget year, and that many districts budget conservatively given proration uncertainty.
Board members described the meeting as a productive exchange and asked staff (John) to gather follow‑up information on potential grant opportunities and more precise dollar impacts of the proration on district finances. Representative Nalan was described as receptive and open to learning from local perspective; board members noted he has children in the district.
No formal board action resulted from the update; staff will provide additional follow‑up data as requested.