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LFB Memo on Compromise Amendment to SB 615

By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 22, 2016

Here is a link to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) memo detailing the fiscal impact of Assembly Amendment 1 (the compromise) to SB 615 on the 142 school districts impacted by the Racine and Wisconsin Parental Choice Programs.  The LFB estimates the loss of revenue cap authority under the amendment to be $5.284 million spread across the 142 districts.

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Assembly Passes SB 615 With Compromise Voucher Funding Amendment

By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 19, 2016

The battle over the voucher funding shift entered its final act (with the ending not in doubt) as the Assembly passed, on a 56-37 vote, a scaled back version of a bill (Senate Bill 615 as amended) that would reduce the non-recurring exemption for “incoming choice pupils” to equal the state aid deduction for voucher students  beginning in 2016-17.

The collective reduction in revenue cap authority under this bill would be about $5.3 million for the 142 school districts with voucher students.  That compares to previous versions of the proposal that had collective reductions in revenue cap authority of first $22.7 million, and then $14.2 million.

The Senate is expected to pass this latest compromise version of the bill on March 15th.

Throughout this multi-week battle, the SAA’s position has never wavered.  We support current law.

Assuming the Senate passes the bill as amended by the Assembly and Governor Walker signs it, the voucher funding shift will be complete.  During this legislative session, Republicans succeeded in shifting how Wisconsin pays for voucher expansion from state tax dollars to local property taxpayers.  And as we look to the future, this means that two Republican policy objectives, voucher expansion and property tax relief, are on a collision course . . . with public schools in the middle.

Thanks for listening, and as always, thanks for all your efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children.  Every Child, Every Day.

See Wisconsin State Journal news story here.

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SB 615 Amendment

By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 18, 2016

We have provided you a link to the amendment we have seen for SB 615 – the non-recurring exemption has been amended to equal the state aid deduction for voucher students beginning in 2016-17.

We do not yet have a memo from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau detailing the impact on each affected school district.

Stay tuned.

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Larson Won’t Seek Re-Election; Nygren Won’t Seek Congressional Seat

By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 18, 2016

From WisPolitics.com:

GOP state Rep. Tom Larson, who is battling lung cancer, announced today he will not seek re-election this fall.

Meanwhile, JFC Co-chair John Nygren, R-Marinette, said he will not run for the 8th CD.

Larson, R-Colfax, said this is his third cancer diagnosis in as many years.

“I’m proud of the work that I’ve done in the legislature. I promised to balance the budget, cut taxes and bring more jobs to Wisconsin,” said Larson, who was first elected in 2010. “With all of that accomplished, it’s time for me to step down to spend more time with my family.”

Nygren cited his family in deciding against a run for Congress. His oldest daughter has struggled with addiction and has been an inspiration for a package of bills he’s pushed through to combat heroin abuse.

“I took to heart Congressman Ribble’s reasons for retiring, specifically when it came to his family,” Nygren said. “At a time when my son is in high school, a daughter is leaving for college, and my oldest is taking great steps in recovery, now is not the time to make the move to Washington.”

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School Referenda Results

By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 17, 2016

From The Wheeler Report:
School Referenda results:
District 
Amount
Type
Brief Description
Bangor (0245)
Passed
2016-2017 $800,000
2017-2018 $800,000
2018-2019 $900,000
Total: $2,500,000
NR 2018-2019
Non-recurring purposes
Northland Pines (1526)
Passed
2016-2017 $3,900,000
2017-2018 $3,900,000
2018-2019 $3,900,000
Total: $11,700,000
NR 2018-2019
Shall the Northland Pines School District be authorized to exceed state revenue limits by $3,900,000 each year for a period of three years on a non-recurring basis for each of the 2016-17, 2017-18, and 2018-19 school years, in order to maintain School District programs and operations and to provide for additional school safety and security measures, including security camera upgrades and employment of a school resource officer.
Hayward Community (2478)
Failed
2018-2019 $1,410,000
2019-2020 $1,410,000
2020-2021 $1,410,000
2021-2022 $1,410,000
Total: $5,640,000
NR 2021-2022
To exceed the revenue limit by $1,410,000 for each of four years for technology updates and facilities repairs.
Hayward Community (2478)
Failed
2016 $2,970,000
Total: $2,970,000
RR 2016
To exceed the revenue limit by $2,970,000 for the 2016-17 school year and thereafter.
Independence (2632)
Passed
2016-2017 $700,000
2017-2018 $700,000
2018-2019 $700,000
2019-2020 $700,000
2020-2021 $700,000
Total: $3,500,000
NR 2020-2021
5 year $700,000 for non-recurring purposes consisting of operating expenses and programming improvements,
Jefferson (2702)
Passed
2016-2017 $775,000
2017-2018 $775,000
2018-2019 $775,000
Total: $2,325,000
NR 2018-2019
To exceed the revenue limit on a non-recurring basis by up to $775,000 per year for three years to maintain the current level of educational programs and staff.
Marshall (3332)
Passed
2016-2017 $875,000
2017-2018 $875,000
2018-2019 $875,000
Total: $2,625,000
NR 2018-2019
Operational needs consisting of maintaining reasonable class sizes; sustaining academic, co-curricular and athletic programs; supporting student access to technology; and continued maintenance of district facilities.
New Glarus (3934)
Passed
$5,800,000
Issue Debt
Authorizing General Obligation Debt not to exceed $5,800,000 for HVAC/ROOFS, SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUES AND ADDITIONAL CLASSROOM SPACE
Oostburg (4137)
Passed
$9,590,000
Issue Debt
Issue bonds, not to exceed $9,590,000 to remodel, renovate and demolish a wing of the elementary school in addition to furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
Prescott (4578)
Failed
2016-2017 $1,870,000
2017-2018 $1,870,000
2018-2019 $1,870,000
2019-2020 $1,870,000
Total: $7,480,000
NR 2019-2020
To Exceed the Revenue Cap for maintaining existing educational programs and staff.
Rhinelander (4781)
Passed
2016-2017 $5,000,000
2017-2018 $5,000,000
2018-2019 $5,000,000
Total: $15,000,000
NR 2018-2019
To exceed revenue limit by $5,000,000 per year beginning with the 2016-17 school year and ending with the 2018-19 school year for non-recurring purposes.
Slinger (5390)
Passed
$9,880,000
Issue Debt
To pay for the cost of constructing a new auditorium at the High School and make improvements that allow for dedicated athletic spaces for the High School.
Slinger (5390)
Passed
$32,400,000
Issue Debt
To pay for the cost of school building renovations, updates, and programming improvements for the entire District.

 

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