Stabilizing School Funding In Madison (WI)

March 11, 2011

The uncertainty in state funding is prompting some school districts to search for ways to find more reliable sources of money from local sources. Some believe property taxes would be better than a sales tax.

The state didn’t make as much money as projected so education funding was reduced. Madison City Schools lost more than a million dollars. Now the superintendent is considering cuts while trying to provide consistent funding for the future.

Alicia Bowman has two sons in the Madison City School System. She worries about the future of public education.

“We are definitely concerned about everything that’s happening in the school system right now. Also, I’m a teacher in another school system so I’m very aware of all the issues, the budget cuts. I know how it affects the classroom, as well as the students,” said Alicia Bowman.

The Madison City School System has to cut its budget by $1.2 million dollars due to a 3% reduction in funding from the state. Now the superintendent is looking for ways t o save without impacting the classroom.

“We’re looking at operation and maintenance ways to save money. Are there maintenance projects that can be deferred? Are there maintenance projects that are just cosmetic? Can we save the money by not doing those?" asked Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler.

While considering cuts, the school board has passed a resolution asking the city council to consider replacing the half-cent sales tax with a property tax referendum.

“The sales tax rises and falls with the ebb and flow of the economy and too often the sales tax is up and down with the recession and we’ve noticed property taxes are a more stable way of funding schools,” said Dr. Fowler.

Dr. Dee Fowler says property taxes would also provide a little more funding than the sales tax. The increase would go toward the construction and operation of the new high school that is being built on County Line Road.

Alicia Bowman hopes the council supports the idea.

“As far as increasing the property tax, for it to be a stability type thing, that would be helpful. I just hope we find the money. We have to because if we don’t find the money than everybody loses,” said Bowman.

If the city council approves a resolution asking for the 6 mill property tax referendum there will have to be a public hearing before the issue could be placed on the ballot. The process could take months.