June 27, 2008                                                                                                                                

 

Clark County Schools Receive Over $200,000 in Sparsity Aid From State

New state funding supported by Kreitlow in the 2008-2009 budget is received by area schools

(MADISON)  Several area schools are receiving some much needed additional state aid this week as the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction releases over $200,000 to Clark County schools as part of the new Sparsity Aid Program.  The program, which was included in the 2008-2009 budget with the support of Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa), increased funding for rural, sparsely populated school districts in Wisconsin.

“Our rural schools are struggling under the weight of increased fuel and health care costs, forcing many district to make drastic cuts or turn to property tax payers for short term help” said Kreitlow.  “Under the Sparsity Aid program, we target funding increases to the most rural and highest poverty districts around the state, giving them some much needed additional resources.”

School districts are eligible for sparsity aid if their 2007-08 enrollment is no more than 725 students, enrollment density is less than 10 students per square mile, and at least 20 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.  Payments were set in legislation at $150 or $300 per student depending on district poverty levels.  For the 2008-09 school year, aid will go to 110 qualifying districts serving nearly 50,000 students.

“In the next budget, I will continue to fight for rural schools, and rural Wisconsin taxpayers, by working to secure more funding for the Sparsity Aid Program, as well the expanded Special Education Aid Program that I authored last year,” added Kreitlow.  “Combined, these two new and expanded aid programs brought $3 million in new state funding to schools in my district.”

Area schools receiving aid include:

Greenwood Area School District: $29,724

Granton Area Schools: $19,659

Loyal School District: $38,715

Edgar Area Schools: $46,967

Gilman School District: $64,949

Owen-Withee School District: $41,868