DPI sends out last year's school funding numbers
The Department of Public Instruction certified general equalization aid to school districts by today's statutory deadline. As promised, State Superintendent Libby Burmaster certified aid amounts using last year's state aid levels.
"While I wish it wasn't so, using last year's figures means that most school districts will be receiving less in state aid this year than if the Legislature had reached a budget agreement," Burmaster said in a statement. "Many local school boards will now be making difficult decisions on whether to cut programs and staff or to raise local property taxes or to enact some combination of these measures."
Using last year's totals means DPI certified $4,722,745,900 for schools, which is $79.3 million less than the amount approved by the Joint Finance Committee according to the press release. While the overall number remains the same, DPI spokesman Patrick Gasper said school districts won't necessarily get the same state aid as they did last year.
Gasper said the certification numbers are set, and that even with a new state budget, lawmakers must alter this year's process to avoid program cuts or property tax hikes.
See Burmaster's statement here.
See the 2007-08 October 15 General Aid Certification reports.
