BUDGET FACTOID:
The largest amount of state aid that the district receives is general, or equalization, aid. The amount of equalization aid that a district gets is determined by a complicated formula which features three levels of aid (primary, secondary and tertiary).

To give you the "big picture," the formula is intended to provide more aid to poor districts and to districts which spend below the state average. Poor is defined by the property value behind each student. By that standard, Madison is a wealthy district with a property wealth per student that is more than 50% above the state average.

The formula also includes a penalty (in the form of reduced aid) for districts which spend above the state average, as Madison does. Thus, although the state provides two-thirds funding, Madison actually gets state aid for about 25% of the budget that is under the revenue cap (about $280 Million).

March 27Th Meeting:

5:30 Performance & Achievement Committee (Shwaw Vang, chair): Report on the status of the elementary strings program showed that the number of students taking strings did not change substantially from the previous year. There are plans to have staff work over the summer to revise the curriculum expectations so that it will reflect the reduced class time instituted this year.

6:30 Special Board Meeting: The Board approved the creation of 2 "coop" teams (combining students from East and LaFollette) for boys' hockey and for girls' gymnastics. The revision of the process for expunging an expulsion record was tabled to allow for further discussion.

On Task Force Recommendations:

• The Board adopted boundary changes for O'Keeffe Middle School to include some students from Hawthorne (essentially those in the areas west of Stoughton road). Sixth graders from the newly attached area will be allowed to choose between O'Keeffe and Sherman for next year. The following year (2007-08) they will be assigned to O'Keeffe.
• The Board adopted the administration's recommendation to make no boundary changes among the 4 north side elementary schools (Lakeview, Lindbergh, Gompers and Mendota).
• The Board voted unanimously to support building a new school on the Linden Park site (far west side).
• The Board also voted, 6-1, to support building a cafeteria addition onto Leopold and remodel the old library and cafeteria space into useable instructional spaces. (The "no" voter supported this plan but wanted the Board to commit to more immediate action).
• The issue of how to finance the Leopold addition and the timing of the referendum for the new school will be discussed at the April 10th meeting (currently scheduled for 5 p.m. at LaFollette).

Remember to vote in the spring election, Tuesday, April 4.