Behind the Rhetoric: Wisconsin School budgets in the years ahead

Dave Umhoefer:

Districts already have some picture of what will happen in terms of cuts and layoffs. When we did an in-depth look at 17 Milwaukee-area districts about the impact of the budget and its many changes, we also asked about how they are situated for the future.

It is one of many issues that are at the center of the debate between Walker and his June 5, 2012, recall opponent, Democrat Tom Barrett.

A PolitiFact Wisconsin survey of 17 school districts found some officials have deep concerns about how state funding cuts past and future will affect education long-term.

But officials don't see fiscal calamity in their 2012-'13 budgets and say the freedom provided by Walker's union limits will provide new or continued chances to trim back employee costs from school ledgers.

Those controversial changes were a result of Walker and Republican legislators curtailing collective bargaining for most public employees in the budget, allowing districts to force employees to pay more for pensions and health care. The limits will extend to additional districts in 2012-'13, as more labor contracts expire.

But some aren't eager to push for deeper compensation cuts after many got significant budget relief already.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at May 25, 2012 1:02 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas