December 12, 2011
Bill to Help Schools with Building Costs to have Public Hearing Wednesday
A bill introduced by State Sen. Tim Cullen that will help low property value school districts like Beloit maintain and improve their facilities is up for a public hearing on Wednesday at the State Capitol.
For Beloit, the bill would reduce the share of costs that property taxpayers bear from 35 percent to 10 percent.
“If Beloit voters approve a referendum to issue bonds for building needs, property taxpayers would pay 35 percent of the costs of the debt under the current funding formula,” Cullen said. “Under this bill, for Beloit, property taxpayers pay 10 percent and state taxes pay 90 percent. This will free up school funds so that more money can go to improving the achievement of Beloit students rather than for fixing buildings.”
Beloit school district officials and community representatives are also planning to testify. The hearing begins at noon in Room 201 Southeast of the Capitol. It is open to the public.
The bill is co-authored by Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) and Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls).
“This bill helps out school districts that desperately need to improve their facilities but low property values make it extremely difficult under the current funding formula,” Cullen said.
If enacted, the legislation would make the increased aid available to districts whose property value per student is less than half of the statewide average. Eight school districts meet that standard: Beloit, Wauzeka-Steuben, Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton, Abbotsford, Sharon, Alma Center, Elk Mound, and Benton. These school districts could only tap into the new funding source if voters approved a referendum vote related to building maintenance or expansion.
The bill does not increase state spending. It creates a potential minor shift in school aid between districts.