Number subject to change
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
WISCONSIN – The School District of Tomahawk may lose just over $111,000 in general school aid funding from the state, according to estimates from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). However, that number could change.
DPI on July 1, as required by state law, released the estimate of the general school aids each public school district will receive for the 2020-2021 school year. General school aids represent the bulk of public schools’ state support.
DPI’s estimates are based on the most recent 2019-2020 budget data reports it received from school districts, along with the level of funding approved in the 2019-2021 state biennial budget.
“Estimated amounts are subject to change because they are based on budgeted, not audited, school district data,” DPI said.
The department’s July 1 aid estimate does not include per pupil categorical aid, which will be based on student membership counts on the third Friday in September from the 2020-2021, 2019-2020, and 2018-2019 school years, DPI said. Per pupil aid will be paid in March 2021, and under current law, it will be paid at $742 per pupil.
The School District of Tomahawk received $736,121 dollars in general aid on Oct. 15, 2019. According to DPI’s estimates, the district is projected to receive $625,045 on Oct. 15, 2020, a decrease of $111,076, or 15.09%, from the year prior.
DPI estimated general school aids for 2020-21 will total $4.9 billion, representing a $163.5 million, or 3.5%, increase over last year.
“Of the state’s 421 school districts, 72 percent (302) are estimated to receive more general aids in 2020-21, while 27 percent of districts (114) are estimated to receive less; five districts will have no change in aid between the 2019-20 and 2020-21 fiscal years,” DPI stated. “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 — as well as a difference in funds available from the state.”
DPI will certify amounts for 2020-2021 general school aids based on audited data and the state’s appropriation on Oct. 15.
District aid estimates can be found on the department’s School Financial Services website in the general aids section at www.dpi.wi.gov/sfs/aid/general/summary. Estimates are available as “Summary by Alphabet” and “Summary by Percent.”