DPI: Waukesha School District Gets 10% Reduction in State Aid

The Waukesha School District will receive a 10.13 percent reduction in state aid, according to general aid estimates released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on Friday.

That means Waukesha public schools will have to make up the $5.06 million through cuts, most of which is coming through the state’s budget repair law that limits the collective bargaining rights for public employee unions.

The Waukesha School District is better prepared than some school districts that have union contracts, though. The latest contract, which was approved earlier this year for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years, concluded Thursday. That means the district can enact the provisions in the budget repair bill in its next contract, including requiring teachers and all other employees to contribute toward their retirement and health insurance benefits.

The Waukesha School District received $49.94 million in state aid during the 2010-11 school year and the estimates released today lower it to $44.88 million.

Final aid figures will be finalized in October after the school districts submit their enrollment numbers following the third Friday of school.