Gov. Walker: School Districts Will Have Budget Reforms

Gov. Scott Walker told reporters Monday afternoon he is confident that the state’s budget will be approved by June 30.

The budget is tied with a controversial legislation that limits the majority of collective bargaining for public employee unions to wages. It also requires that the employees contribute 5.8 percent of their wages toward the Wisconsin Retirement System.

But, with that legislation in limbo before the state Supreme Court, school districts and municipalities putting together budgets are waiting for the final budget numbers. Some school districts, such as the Waukesha School District, also need to enter into contract negotiations.

It’s been estimated by Waukesha School District administrators that if the budget repair mandates are struck down in court, Waukesha schools will need to find an and again in the 2012-13 budget.

Walker said Monday he has spoken with Waukesha Superintendent Todd Gray, who Walker described as “concerned” about the budget situation.

“He wants to have the kind of relief we brought forward in the budget repair bill,” Walker said before catching a flight to Washington, D.C. “To Waukesha, to any other school district out there, I think it is either in the next week and a half, it will happen in the Supreme Court or ultimately by the time the budget is passed, the reforms will be in place there. One way or another school districts like Waukesha and others across the state will get the reforms they need to balance the budget without massive layoffs.”