Friess Lake School District Administrator John Engstrom and Richfield School District Administrator Tara Villalobos began the meeting by explaining how they worked with Robert W. Baird & Co. to prepare a financial report on possible consolidation of the two school districts. This meeting tonight was the first time the two school boards heard the outcome of the report. There were about 20-25 people from the community in attendance.
School Board members received a multi-page hand out detailing the slides in the presentation by Baird Consultant Debby Schugletowski. As with most financial reports some of the data is difficult for a novice to report. Nevertheless it was evident the main focus usually for school board members is the educational focus on children. But this report was to focus on two other areas the school budget and implication on tax payers, primarily the mill rate which determines your school tax.
Copies of the hand out will be available in the next two weeks after further information is gathered following a meeting with DPI and receiving information on Governor Walkers future state budget. Contact the schools for those handouts. Baird consultant reviewed implications of revenue limit changes which occurred in 1993 by the state and how that has impacted preparation of a school budget.
The attached graph shows historical information regarding mill rates for each school district beginning 2011-12 Blue represents Friess Lake and Red represents Richfield. It also projects what the mill rate could be through 2021-22 if school consolidation takes place.
Notice the years 2014-15 and 2015-16 where both school mill rates were about the same. Also notice the dark line beginning 2018-19 thru 2022. That line projects future mill rates similar to those in the years 2014-2016 with consolidation.
Takeaway noted on bottom of graph: Friess Lake School District mill rate, if consolidated, would be similar to historical trend data presented and slightly higher than if the district were to remain alone. Richfield School District mill rate would decrease slightly in a consolidated scenario.
Information presented regarding school enrollment indicates a declining enrollment not just here in Richfield but across the entire State of Wisconsin. Because of that, numerous school districts are consolidating. The State of Wisconsin is encouraging consolidation by offering financial benefits.
Round 1 of future informational meetings begins February 8th, 9th, and 13th. Round 2 begins March 2nd, 6th, 8th and 9th. Contact the schools for times and locations.
Copies of the hand out will be available in the next two weeks after further information is gathered following a meeting with DPI and receiving information on Governor Walkers future state budget. Contact the schools for those handouts. Baird consultant reviewed implications of revenue limit changes which occurred in 1993 by the state and how that has impacted preparation of a school budget.
The attached graph shows historical information regarding mill rates for each school district beginning 2011-12 Blue represents Friess Lake and Red represents Richfield. It also projects what the mill rate could be through 2021-22 if school consolidation takes place.
Notice the years 2014-15 and 2015-16 where both school mill rates were about the same. Also notice the dark line beginning 2018-19 thru 2022. That line projects future mill rates similar to those in the years 2014-2016 with consolidation.
Takeaway noted on bottom of graph: Friess Lake School District mill rate, if consolidated, would be similar to historical trend data presented and slightly higher than if the district were to remain alone. Richfield School District mill rate would decrease slightly in a consolidated scenario.
Information presented regarding school enrollment indicates a declining enrollment not just here in Richfield but across the entire State of Wisconsin. Because of that, numerous school districts are consolidating. The State of Wisconsin is encouraging consolidation by offering financial benefits.
Round 1 of future informational meetings begins February 8th, 9th, and 13th. Round 2 begins March 2nd, 6th, 8th and 9th. Contact the schools for times and locations.
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