MADISON—Wisconsin’s public school districts budgeted to spend $9.3 billion in 2005-06, an increase of 4.6% from 2004-05. Because the number of students declined in 2005-06, the increase in per student spending (4.7%) was slightly higher. These are two of the important findings from the newly released SchoolFacts06, an annual publication of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance (WISTAX). SchoolFacts offers a variety of spending, revenue, and test-score information for every school district in the state.

Per pupil spending statewide reached $10,704 in 2005-06, WISTAX said. Instructional spending ($6,222) was the largest component of the total, followed by building and grounds ($988), administration ($815), and capital expenditures/debt service ($771).

The largest per student spending increase, 6.6%, was for instructional support, which includes spending on guidance, social work, health, curriculum development, staff training, and library services. Spending on administration (+5.7%) and on buildings and grounds (+5.2%) also rose more than 5%. The smallest increases were for transportation (+3.1%) and for capital expenditures/debt service (+4.0%). Instructional spending (+4.4%) increased slightly less than the total, according to WISTAX.

Statewide, the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students declined for the third consecutive year. Totalling 868,901, statewide student counts were 0.1% below 2004-05 figures, and 0.6% less than their 2002-03 peak. SchoolFacts06 notes that since 1999-2000, 18 districts have had enrollment declines of more than 20%, and another 82 had student counts drop at least 10%. Among districts with the largest 2000 to 2006 declines were Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine (-28.3%), Florence (-27.1%), Butternut (-26.2%), North Crawford (-25.4%), and Belmont (-25.2%). However, not all districts are shrinking; 59 had enrollments increase at least 10% over the six-year period.

WISTAX researchers noted that a large increase in state aid in 2005-06 held down school property taxes. On average, districts budgeted for a 6.0% increase in state aid payments. That increase, along with state-imposed revenue limits, caused 2005-06 school property taxes statewide to fall slightly. A total of 236 of the 425 districts studied had school tax declines; 109 had declines of at least 5%. Only 70 had an increase of 5% or more.

In addition to information on district finances and students counts, SchoolFacts provides data on district demographics, test scores, and staffing. WISTAX researchers noted that the percentage of students identified as disabled continued to climb in 2005-06. A total of 14.8% of students were so identified, up 0.1 percentage points from the prior year, and 1.1 points higher than in 1999-2000. The percentage of students eligible for free and reduced lunch also rose, topping 30% for the first time. At 30.8% in 2005-06, this percentage was more than five points higher than in 1999-2000 (25.0%).

SchoolFacts is the most complete published collection of Wisconsin school district data. The 164-page book contains information on school district demographics, test scores, revenues, spending, staffing, and much more. SchoolFacts06 also contains summary data by cooperative educational service agency (CESA) and by district size. In addition, supplemental reports by athletic conference or for a customized group of districts can be ordered from WISTAX. Printing of SchoolFacts06 was underwritten by a grant from Sentry Insurance Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Link to 2005-06 School District Comparative Expenditures and Tax Rates