MONROE - A state program created to provide children from low-income families with free milk on school days has been failing to keep up with rising costs, forcing school districts to absorb the extra costs or drop out of the program. But it's a problem with a solution in the works, thanks to the efforts of a local school official and a state representative.
The Wisconsin School Day Milk Program is a "vital program for our children," said Ron Olson, Monroe school district's business administrator.
Monroe has so far opted to stay in the program, despite it costing the district almost $72,000 over 12 years to supply free milk to eligible students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of a daily snack time. The district will continue as long as the food program remains in the black, Olson said.
Milk costs absorbed by the district averaged almost $10,000 per year from 2010 to 2015, according to data compiled by Eric Ekum, director of food services.
In 2003, the state reimbursed Monroe's full claim. But as milk prices began to climb and an increasing percentage of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches - thus requiring the district to supply them with a free half-pint of milk every day - the state covered a smaller and smaller portion of the district's costs. Olson linked the increase in participating students to a rise in poverty.
By 2015, Monroe's costs were almost triple what they were in 2003, an increase of more than 180 percent; state reimbursement had only risen by 30 percent over the same time period.
Olson has spoken about the issue repeatedly at school board meetings and recently brought it to the attention of state Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville.
Novak found Monroe's situation isn't unique: Wisconsin school districts claimed a total of $1.34 million for reimbursement in 2014-15, while the state covered about $617,000, according to a report he received from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. That left a total deficit that year of about $727,000 for districts to pick up. Previous years show similar numbers.
Some schools couldn't afford to stay in the program and have dropped out, which Novak said concerns him.
"I think it's important that we keep as many schools in the program as we can," he said. Children who are eligible for free milk "are the people that need the help.
"I'm glad Monroe reached out to me," Novak said.
He proposed additional funding for the program based on the 2014-15 shortfall. Novak submitted a budget request to the Joint Finance Committee to fully fund the program over the next two years, an increase of about $1.45 million. (Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal kept it at $617,000 each year, part of the categorical aids totaling $1.04 billion in 2018 and $1.22 billion in 2019.)
Novak said the JFC will consider the request next week when it discusses the state Department of Public Instruction's budget.
The request also cites the dairy industry: "As the dairy state, this program is important to our dairy industry and the promotion of dairy around our state." It lists Monroe school district in support of the motion.
"We appreciate his efforts," Olson said of Novak.
In the meantime, Novak said he's talking to other legislators - many of whom weren't aware of the milk program before talking to him - and getting "positive feedback." He doesn't know if the JFC will accept the request, grant a lesser amount or drop it from the budget entirely.
"We'll see," he said.
The Wisconsin School Day Milk Program is a "vital program for our children," said Ron Olson, Monroe school district's business administrator.
Monroe has so far opted to stay in the program, despite it costing the district almost $72,000 over 12 years to supply free milk to eligible students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade as part of a daily snack time. The district will continue as long as the food program remains in the black, Olson said.
Milk costs absorbed by the district averaged almost $10,000 per year from 2010 to 2015, according to data compiled by Eric Ekum, director of food services.
In 2003, the state reimbursed Monroe's full claim. But as milk prices began to climb and an increasing percentage of students qualified for free or reduced-price lunches - thus requiring the district to supply them with a free half-pint of milk every day - the state covered a smaller and smaller portion of the district's costs. Olson linked the increase in participating students to a rise in poverty.
By 2015, Monroe's costs were almost triple what they were in 2003, an increase of more than 180 percent; state reimbursement had only risen by 30 percent over the same time period.
Olson has spoken about the issue repeatedly at school board meetings and recently brought it to the attention of state Rep. Todd Novak, R-Dodgeville.
Novak found Monroe's situation isn't unique: Wisconsin school districts claimed a total of $1.34 million for reimbursement in 2014-15, while the state covered about $617,000, according to a report he received from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau. That left a total deficit that year of about $727,000 for districts to pick up. Previous years show similar numbers.
Some schools couldn't afford to stay in the program and have dropped out, which Novak said concerns him.
"I think it's important that we keep as many schools in the program as we can," he said. Children who are eligible for free milk "are the people that need the help.
"I'm glad Monroe reached out to me," Novak said.
He proposed additional funding for the program based on the 2014-15 shortfall. Novak submitted a budget request to the Joint Finance Committee to fully fund the program over the next two years, an increase of about $1.45 million. (Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal kept it at $617,000 each year, part of the categorical aids totaling $1.04 billion in 2018 and $1.22 billion in 2019.)
Novak said the JFC will consider the request next week when it discusses the state Department of Public Instruction's budget.
The request also cites the dairy industry: "As the dairy state, this program is important to our dairy industry and the promotion of dairy around our state." It lists Monroe school district in support of the motion.
"We appreciate his efforts," Olson said of Novak.
In the meantime, Novak said he's talking to other legislators - many of whom weren't aware of the milk program before talking to him - and getting "positive feedback." He doesn't know if the JFC will accept the request, grant a lesser amount or drop it from the budget entirely.
"We'll see," he said.