Wisconsin Gov. Walker To Unveil Plan For Rural School Funding
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin would expand and increase a program that funnels money to the state's lowest enrollment districts and put more money toward the high cost of transporting students long distances under a plan to help rural schools unveiled by Gov. Scott Walker Wednesday.
Walker's proposal will be included in the state budget he submits to the Legislature next week. Walker, who visited schools in Wauzeka, Hilbert and Crandon on Wednesday, said his plan for a "significant increase" in funding for all public schools would be released soon.
He said his rural schools proposal was fashioned to address the "unique challenges" that students in those districts face.
The plan would:
— Increase sparsity aid by $20 million. That aid goes to districts with fewer than 745 students and a population density of less than 10 students per square mile. Walker said his budget will spend $12.3 million more on sparsity aid than was requested by the state Department of Public Instruction.
— Create a new $100-per-student tier of sparsity aid for districts with between 746 and 1,000 students.
— Provide 100 percent reimbursement, with a $10.4 million funding increase, for transportation costs for schools with fewer than 50 students per square mile and transportation costs that are 150 percent of the state average. Last year, the reimbursement rate was about 60 percent.
— Increase by $22.5 million the money available through Technology for Educational Achievement grants. The grants can currently be used to pay for training for teachers to use educational technology. Walker is also proposing allowing districts to apply for the grants to pay for making internet hot spots available on buses and for students to take home. The hot spots would allow students to get online to complete their homework when not at school.
— Increase grants for broadband internet expansion by $13 million.
— Require the University of Wisconsin's flex option program to create a program to train teacher's aides and other paraprofessionals already working in schools to become full-time teachers. This proposal is designed to help rural schools struggling with teacher shortages. The flex option program allows students to earn college credits by demonstrating real-life knowledge through online tests.
— Allow schools to enter into agreements to share or jointly provide a variety of specialists and services, rather than requiring each to have a person of contact. The affected positions include reading specialists, bilingual-bicultural education programs, guidance counselors and services for gifted and talented students.
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