FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2002
The Madison Metropolitan School District has cut over $17.5 million and eliminated nearly 170 positions since the inception of state-imposed revenue limits in 1993, according to information released by the district today.
"Revenue limits have forced schools to cut year after year," said Supt. Art Rainwater. "It's critically important that we not further reduce funding to k-12 schools. Even with the Governor's repair budget - which essentially holds schools harmless - we estimate that another $5-7 million will have to be cut from the budget we craft this spring. We've been feeling the pain of service reductions for almost a decade," Rainwater said.
Revenue limits restrict the amount of revenue a district can raise from local property tax payers without going to referendum. The state picks up two-thirds of the total cost of K-12 education, with the actual percentage determined by a community's property value. Far from being funded at two-thirds, Madison receives only about 25% of its budget from the state.
Rainwater urged a comprehensive review of school funding in Wisconsin in preparation for the 2003-05 biennial budget. "Schools can't continue down this road. We are jeopardizing one of the nation's best school systems," Rainwater said. "We've eliminated programs, cut back on classroom technology, and consolidated and streamlined functions. We're at the bone marrow.
"Last year we added $2.1 million for over 40 positions for special education and bilingual programs that are inadequately funded state and federal mandates, while we cut nearly $5.5 million from our total budget. Continuing business as usual requires schools to cannibalize the regular education program. It's a ticket to educational disaster," Rainwater said. The Department of Public Instruction estimates that state reimbursement for special education programs will fall to about 30%, with a less than 17% reimbursement for bilingual programs.
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-663-1879
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2002-03-01
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