Revenue Limit Flexibility and Reform - Talking Points
The revenue limit law, originally designed as a short-term solution to school spending, does not take into account many fixed costs of school districts. Such costs are utilities, transportation and similar expenses. School districts should be allowed more revenue limit flexibility in the areas of:
Energy conservation measures and facility maintenance
- Even though energy usage has declined in MMSD due to the district's aggressive energy conservation program, (despite the addition of new buildings, more technology usage) the cost of energy has increased.
School safety and security measures, including personnel and equipment;
- Similar to public access at police and fire stations, the district has a $5.5 million plan to enhance the security of the district's high schools including an electronic access card system, enhanced video security and an entrance welcome center.
- The district has identified other measures to improve security including playground safety improvements, more security assistants, and controlled access systems to school buildings.
Transportation
- In the last decade transportation costs have annually increased between 4-10% determined solely by market fluctuations.
- Middle and high school Madison Metro bus pass costs for needy students will go from $78 to $150 by the 2010-11 school year.
Technology
- Windows 98 is still the being used district-wide.
- Students need 21st Century technology to compete in the global marketplace.
- Students in neighboring school districts are already utilizing improved technology.
Four-year old Kindergarten
- The state aid formula does not fully reimburse school districts in the first two years of a new 4K program (while the state does fully reimburse in the first year Milwaukee voucher schools that begin 4K programs).
- Public schools should have revenue limit flexibility in the first two years of a new 4K program.
Oppose elimination of the Qualified Economic Offer, unless it is part of a comprehensive overhaul of the school funding system.
- The current system was devised ensuring the state's commitment to fund 2/3 of the average costs of K-12 education expenses - the state's current commitment falls short of 2/3.
- When the current system was created, the Qualified Economic Offer and revenue limits were intentionally tied together.
- Eliminating the QEO will likely result in deeper program cuts and larger classes because teaching positions will be cut.
Support additional resources for mandated special education and English Language Learners (ELL).
- Special education reimbursement from the state is 28.5% and 11.26% for ELL for the 2008-09 school year. When revenue limits began in 1993-94, the state reimbursement was 45% and 33%, respectively.
- The district's loss of revenue for students in special education comparing the 45% reimbursement to the current 28.5% is $10.3 million for just 2008-09.
- The district's loss or revenue for ELL students comparing the 33% reimbursement to the current 11.26% is $2.65 million for just 2008-09.
- Combined, comparing the state's reimbursement for ELL and special education programs in 1993-94 when revenue limits began to current law, the district's loss of revenue for just this school year is nearly $13 million.
- When revenue limits began, there were 809 ELL students; today, there are 3,760, an increase of over 460% -- the reimbursement from the state has decreased annually due to statewide enrollment growth in the ELL program.
Modify the school aid formula so negative tertiary school district (Madison) taxpayers aren't penalized when the district borrows.
- Madison taxpayers will pay up to $1.21 on a dollar borrowed related to the recently passed referendum.
