Budget Discussions Continue

The West Bend School Board is still working toward a budget.  It’s worth paying attention now. 

Superintendent Pat Herdrich presented the administration’s proposed budget last month, along with a list of recommended reductions.

   The meeting Monday is the second of three meetings dedicated to the budget discussion.

   At the last meeting, Herdrich recommended making $2 million in reductions to bring the budget under the revenue caps and adjust to reduced state funding for schools.

   Herdrich said the recommendations, which include the elimination of the equivalent of 26.1 staff positions, have not changed since last month.

   The budget makes assumptions about student enrollment, state aid calculations and teacher wage increases, which are all presently unknown, Herdrich said, and the figures used in those areas are essentially placeholders until the actual numbers become available.

   The proposed budget also assumes the district will levy to the maximum allowable amount, Herdrich said. Additional reductions would need to be made if the district does not levy to the revenue capacity, she said.

[...]

She added that a March 22 meeting will give community members an opportunity to provide “a deeper level of feedback.”

Please take the time to let the board know your thoughts.