Elmbrook enrollment down by 103 students,
but no need to worry...now. "The state exempts districts from fluctuations in
enrollment for one year."
I first learned about this delay at the April 8th school board meeting when they discussed the 2008-09 budget. There was mention that
although the 4K pilot program was discontinued, Elmbrook's budget would still
be based on their higher 2007-08 enrollment numbers*. It was a boon--a bit of free
money.
In other words 2008-09's budget included about $165,000 in extra state aid money,
because the state based their funding on approximately 196 4K
kindergarten students no longer enrolled in school. (Kindergarten students
count as half a student in the state aid formula since they attend half day.)
This money was free in the sense that there were not teacher expenses
associated with it, because the 4K program no longer existed.
If memory serves me correctly, Board member Glen Allgaier asked if that
extra money should be used to offset the coming budget shortfalls. That idea
was quickly dismissed. (Thanks, Glen, for trying.)
Anyway, this year, Elmbrook School District shows a 103 student enrollment decline since last year (97
resident, 5 non-resident) not counting the 196 4K students.
This came as no surprise though to the administration. The trend toward
declining enrollment was "projected:"
Superintendent Matt Gibson said the decrease was on
track with projections. He believes a decrease in the birth rate and slowdown
in the housing market have contributed to the decrease in students.
Next year, though, the drop will be included in a
three-year rolling average that is used to calculate funding for the district.
This average figures into Elmbrook’s total revenue cap, the amount it is
allowed to collect in aid and taxes.
As such, a drop in enrollment can mean less state
aid and higher taxes to make up the difference.
Parents who homeschool or send their children to private schools often send
their children to public school in the higher grades. But even at the high
school level enrollment dropped by 57 students.
Voters just approved a $62 million dollar high school referendum last spring to expand and improve facilities. Guess we
needed that extra room to accommodate those 57 fewer students?
Speaking of the referendum, remember how our additional yearly tax
contribution was calculated on a 2% increase in tax base? That 2% has fizzled
too.
No need for Elmbrook’s administration to worry though. All budget
shortfalls, whether caused by an increase in referendum expenses or declining
enrollment will be made up by us, the Elmbrook taxpayers.
*I had not thought about this before: If Elmbrook can collect state aid for
students no longer enrolled (because of that enrollment fluctuation delay) does
this mean Elmbrook calculates their tax levy on us based on students no longer
enrolled too? Remember, Elmbrook taxpayers pay about $10,000 per student / per
year for each resident student. I must ask about that!
Please, comment content should relate to the subject of the post. Although I try to respond to many, do not interpret my lack of a response as agreement.
Links:
Brookfield7, Fairly Conservative, Vicki Mckenna,
Jay Weber, The Right View Wisconsin, Mark Levin, CNS News
