DISTRICTS BRACE FOR SPARSITY AID CUT
Monday, July 18th, 2011 -- 12:12 PM
More small, rural school districts have qualified for special funding, but there are fewer dollars to go around.So-called ?sparsity aid? was cut by 10-percent in the 2011-13 state budget.
Districts with fewer than 725 students and fewer than 10 students per square mile qualify for the extra funding, which is intended to offset small schools? lack of economy of scale and the increased cost of providing services, such as transportation, to rural areas.
130 districts are eligible for $13.5 million in sparsity aid, an increase of seven school districts and about 2,800 students from last year. Districts that qualify get an extra $300 per pupil, but the payment will be prorated at 80-percent.
Locally, Greenwood will get $101,600 in sparsity aid; Loyal will receive $141,000 and Granton will receive $59,000. Neillsville does not qualify.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.