Madison schools propose using $12M redistributed state tax windfall for tax relief, technology upgrades, achievement gap

Matthew DeFour:

That means the district's property tax levy would increase 3.47 percent, down from the 4.95 percent increase the board approved in June. The tax rate would be $11.71 per $1,000 of assessed value, down from $11.88. For an average $232,024 home, the difference is about $40.

The board could use the remaining $8.1 million on property tax relief, but Belmore is recommending it be used in other ways, including:

$3.7 million held in reserves, in case the state overestimated additional aid.

$1.6 million to buy iPads for use in the classroom, $650,000 to upgrade wireless bandwidth in all schools and $75,000 for an iPad coach.

$1.2 million to account for a projected increase in the district's contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement System.

About $800,000 geared toward closing achievement gaps including: three security assistants at Black Hawk, O'Keeffe and Hamilton middle schools; an assistant principal at Stephens Elementary, where the district's Work and Learn alternative program caused parent concerns last year; two teacher leaders to assist with the district's literacy program; a high school math interventionist; increasing the number of unassigned positions from 13.45 to 18.45 to align with past years; and a new student agricultural program.

$100,000 to fund the chief of staff position for one year.

104K PDF Memo to the Madison School Board regarding redistribution of state tax dollars.

Madison plans to spend $376,200,000 during the 2012-2013 school year or $15,132 for each of its 24,861 students.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at September 22, 2012 1:53 AM
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