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District hears biennium budget update as members fret stagnant revenue limit and aid
Summary
District staff briefed the board on preliminary state biennium budget moves: no increase to the statutory $3.25 revenue limit per pupil, no change to $742 per‑pupil aid, possible increases to special education reimbursement targets, and uncertainty about distribution of additional funds discussed at the state level.
District staff provided a detailed update on the Wisconsin biennium budget discussions and how preliminary proposals would affect New London.
Staff described a joint finance committee motion that, as discussed during negotiations, would leave the $3.25 statutory revenue limit unchanged and keep per‑pupil categorical aid at $742 — amounts that have not kept pace with recent inflation. “If the per‑pupil aid stays at $742, all of those school districts are seeing less money,” a staff presenter said, warning rural and declining‑enrollment districts like New London are particularly strained.
The briefing noted possible positives: requests to increase special education categorical reimbursement from a historical target of about 33% toward 35–37% and proposals to raise appropriations for high‑cost special education claims (local costs above $30,000). Staff explained that increases in those categorical aids would help New London—where roughly 19% of students receive special education services—and could reduce the district’s need to transfer general funds into special education.
Board members pressed staff on the political dynamics and the scale of available state funds. Staff referenced a previously discussed statewide allocation of $50,000,000 tied to Act 20 interventions but said distribution timing and legal questions had affected whether those dollars would reach districts promptly. The presentation included district‑level graphics showing New London’s revenue‑limit position relative to state averages and examples of how revenue limit increases translate into local dollars.
Board members discussed long‑term implications, possible referenda and the role trustees and parents can play in advocating with legislators to increase revenue limit authority and categorical aids. District staff encouraged board members and community members to contact legislators and noted that personal outreach from board members and parents can be influential in negotiations.
The presentation closed with staff offering to provide follow‑up materials and to assist board members who choose to contact legislators.
