Two Consolidated Northern Wisconsin Schools Get Funding In State Budget

One of the last-minute items slipped into the state budget will benefit two consolidated northern Wisconsin school districts.

The budget provision received bipartisan support from northern Wisconsin lawmakers.

State Sen. Tom Tiffany, R-Hazelhurst, said the Chequamegon School District would have been at a disadvantage under current law guiding consolidation aid.

“They’re having real budgetary challenges with their consolidation with the Glidden School District,” Tiffany said.

Consolidation aid for Chequamegon and Chetek-Weyerhauser School District was set to expire. State Sen. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, said a correction needed to be made.

“After consolidation, the amount of funding that goes to a school district is decreased at a certain rate and when you consolidate you can anticipate per-pupil aid at a certain rate,“ she said. “They would fall off a cliff in years five and six, I believe.”

Bewley said the correction allows them to make revenue limit adjustments for the coming year. She said that gives the district more time to be weaned off consolidation aid.