Milton schools brace for $865,000 in cuts
MILTON — A state-imposed spending cap would create a budget crisis for the Milton School District, broadening a $500,000 projected budget gap next year into a financial chasm of $890,000, district officials said.
Gov. Scott Walker's proposed biennial budget holds per-pupil state equalization aid for Milton at a zero increase, district officials said.
A district financial forecast made last December included an estimate that the district would get a boost in state aid of $100 per student. That's not happening.
The state Joint Committee on Finance will dig into the governor's biennial budget later this spring.
District Business Services Director Mary Ellen Van Valin said the proposed per-pupil spending cap would mean $344,000 less revenue than the district had anticipated.
District administrators broke the bad news to the school board's budget and finance committee last week.
Board member and budget and finance committee Chairman Bob Cullen this week called the broadening budget gap an "unanticipated" hardship for the district.
The board settled on a list of $865,000 in potential cuts presented by district administrators. Cullen called that list of cuts a "systematic approach to a bad situation."
The bulk of the cuts—about $505,000—are to a program that allows cash in lieu of benefits for employees who opt out of the district's employee health care plan.
Van Valin said the cash reimbursement wouldn't necessarily go away, but the district could reduce it to an amount that would "trim costs" yet would ensure the district remains a "marketable" workplace.
The list of proposed cuts also includes:
-- Reduction of two half-time early childhood teachers for a savings of $50,000.
-- Reduction of one high school teacher, one part-time school specialist and reduction in school office staff for a savings $134,000.
-- Athletic budget reduction of $22,300.
-- Undisclosed buildings and grounds cuts of $31,000.
Interim Superintendent Theresa Rusch said the district has tried to spare staff and programs that focus on reducing class sizes and that boost literacy and math proficiency.
The budget leaves some part-time and full-time reading and math interventionists and "coaches" in place next year and continues spending for current models to reduce class sizes at the elementary school level, Rusch said.
Rusch said the district also shelved a plan to sell off iPads from Milton Middle School. The school for the last two years has issued iPads to all of its students as part of the district's technology plan.
Rusch said the plan would have generated $100,000, but it would have meant selling the iPads at a loss. She said cutting back on technology in the classroom would "impact our instruction and our purpose in 21st-century instruction."
Another list of potential cuts included an option to close Consolidated Elementary School, but the board didn't seriously consider that possibility.
The district estimates the school's closure would save $158,000 in staff and operational costs.
Closure of Consolidated, which is south of Milton and holds about 90 students, is an option that has come up a few times in the past four years.
That idea has always drawn the ire of parents who say they like the school because of its rural setting and the individualized attention students there seem to receive.
Mar 15, 2013 at 6:42 a.m.
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Neil...according to your list of cuts, the athletic budget was the least amount cut.
Mar 14, 2013 at 3:20 p.m.
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Getting reelected in 2014 isn't his main priority. He's looking at 2016.
Mar 14, 2013 at 3:04 p.m.
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Thanks Walker for not cutting a Million from the Clinton budget.
Maybe you can spit on them if your ever in town. Can't wait for re-election time.
Mar 14, 2013 at 2:54 p.m.
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VN Vet 7071:
Remember, one line item in the recommended cuts, according the district is as follows:
-- Athletic budget reduction of $22,300.
Mar 14, 2013 at 2:42 p.m.
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Whz Bang,
They have not hired a "replacement" for Mike Garrow and paid that person "$100,000."
The school board appointed an interim superintendent (Milton Elementary Schools Principal Theresa Rusch) and the district is paying her a $20,000 stipend above her salary for taking on the extra duties.
In all, Garrow's leave pay combined with his severance, the cost of Rusch's stipend, along with legal costs dealing with the investigation and severance of Garrow and a costs of a search for Garrow's replacement all total between $170,000 and $185,000, according to district estimates.
Neil Johnson, reporter
The Gazette
Mar 14, 2013 at 12:19 p.m.
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They created their own problem by not terminating a certain person and then paying him even when not on the job anymore, plus giving him a golden parachute to find himself. To make matters worse they had to hire a replacement and pay that 100K salary also.
Mar 14, 2013 at 11:39 a.m.
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Interesting that the athletic budget is being affected the least. Your education dollars at work.
Mar 14, 2013 at 11:30 a.m.
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The school board knew they had to make cuts, it's not like it was a complete surprise and they had a week notice to make cuts.
Mar 14, 2013 at 10:57 a.m.
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I tell you what I hope Walker is not planning to be re-elected. Why because he is the worst Governor in this states history and were al going to pay for it you watch.
Mar 14, 2013 at 6:13 a.m.
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Governor Walker's promises are empty ones and it is true, that Milton always seems to find the money it's expected to lose. Is this the fault of very poor business office management year after year? One has to wonder.... Milton used to be superior under previous Boards of Education but now they are on a subpar path similar to what Janesville Schools are experiencing. It is too bad voters won't have choices in the upcoming election to oust the current Board members.
Mar 13, 2013 at 9:33 p.m.
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Every year they forecast some huge deficit and cut like crazy...and every year they seem to "find" about a million dollars (no kidding - really - look into it) and wind up reversing all the cuts. Meantime people's lives are thrown into chaos by being laid off, then re-hired a few weeks later. Milton does a great job and has an excellent reputation, but it is time the community stepped in and funded the school a little better. Remember - Milton has the lowest tax rate in the area, and one of the lowest rates in the state. The punitive actions of the Walker administration have unduly punished already frugal districts like Milton.
Mar 13, 2013 at 9:20 p.m.
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This is a shame. Milton schools are bare bones as it is. They don't have all the extra classes that many schools have. They only have 2 foreign languages, no orchestra, minimal vo tech classes (they had to eleminate one last year.), etc. They don't have a new fancy building. I am amazed that they produce great education with so little. This has to stop!
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All of this was caused by Walker and his horrible policies against public education.
Mar 13, 2013 at 6:50 p.m.
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Democrats in Wi are good at raising millions for a recall to protect their salaries and benefit packages, sick time, pensions, etc...why not go into full recall campaign mode to save these districts?
It's about the kids right?
Mar 13, 2013 at 6:09 p.m.
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Maybe have only ONE WORKING super on the payroll?
Mar 13, 2013 at 4:42 p.m.
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When was the last time Milton didn't have to make cuts? I can't even remember.
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