For the City Times

MADISON – Estimated general school aids for Wisconsin public school districts for the 2019-20 school year have been released.

General school aids are the largest form of state support for public schools in the state. Estimated amounts are subject to change because they are based on proposed, not final, state budget appropriations for 2019-21, as well as budgeted, not audited, school district data from the 2018-19 school year.

On Oct. 15, the department will certify amounts for 2019-20 general school aids based on audited data and finalized state budget numbers.  Estimated general school aids for 2019-20 total $4.740 billion for the state, representing a $83.2 million – 1.8 percent – increase over last year.

Of the state’s 421 school districts, 59 percent are estimated to receive more general aid in 2019-20, while 40 percent of districts are estimated to receive less; five districts will have no change in the aid between the 2018-19 and 2019-20 fiscal years.

A district’s general aids can increase or decrease due to changes in any of the three local factors comprising Wisconsin’s general equalization aid formula — property valuation, enrollment, and shared costs — or from changes to the state appropriation.

Local school estimates are:  Abbotsford, $6,257,279; Adams-Friendship Area, $5,296,321; Auburndale,     $5,636,239; Colby, $7,401,687; Granton Area, $1,640,097; Greenwood, $2,324,748; Loyal, $4,137,248; Marshfield, $23,289,581; Neillsville, $5,299,030; Nekoosa, $3,063,887; Pittsville, $3,257,113; Port Edwards, $3,197,748; Spencer, $5,734,252; Stratford, $6,372,472; and Wisconsin Rapids, $34,302,994.