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State aid cuts will impact Manawa

A reduction in student aid will cost the Manawa School District about $113,000.

At the March 23 meeting of the Manawa School Board, board member Joanne Johnson gave an up-date on the proposed reduction in pupil aid.

Johnson, along with Helene Pohl, recently visited Madison to attend the Wisconsin Association of School Boards Day at the Capitol.

According to Johnson, the district may be faced with a $150 per pupil reduction in aid.

“Can we survive? Yes we can,” she said. “Is it going to be good? No, it’s not.”

Angela Hanson, business manager for the school district, stated that for this reduction in aid, the effect will be approximately $113,000 lost in revenue.

“This categorical aid is a significant source of revenue that we have counted on over the last several years,” said Hanson. “Realistically, there is not a way to make up that difference. Our revenue sources are the taxes levied, the equalization aid given by the state, the categorical aid and local sources such as student fees. Truly, the only source we have some control (over) is the local source.”

Johnson indicated that Gov. Scott Walker had proposed cuts to school aid in the last budget as well, but the Legislature had worked to actually increase the aid instead.

“I am hopeful that our state Legislature will do the right thing and make sure that K-12 education remains a top priority of our state,” she said.

Russ Johnson gave an overview of the proposed five-year facility maintenance plan prepared by Thomas Beck.

According to Johnson, the biggest expense will be the roofs on all the buildings.

“They all need to be repaired or replaced,” said Johnson. “The first year we would designate money for repair, and down the road replace them.”

Beck had indicated in a meeting earlier this month that this needs to be a priority. Areas of high value, such as the library, gym floor and computer areas, should be taken care of first.

An overview of the district also showed a need to update equipment used by the custodial staff.

“You are tight on staff. You have to have good equipment that is not going to break down,” Beck said.

Beck also pointed out things need to be changed before they break.

In other business, the board approved the summer school booklet for 2015. Information is now available on the district’s website.

The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. April 27.

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