MADISON - Several local school districts recently received aid payments dispersed from by the state Department of Public Instruction.
Special Education Aid>
Keeping the Promise aid is offered to districts that provide costly services to students with severe or multiple disabilities.
There is $5.4 million in this high-cost special education aid going to 127 districts for 2008 for services provided in the 2006-07 school year. Of this money, $3.5 million is from state and $1.9 million from federal funding. To be eligible, a district must spend more than $30,000 per student.
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster established the aid program in 2003 to help local district provide services to ensure all students receive a free public education.
Monroe received $10,477 in Keeping the Promise aid, while New Glarus received $12,192. Aid amounts through the state ranged from $1.4 million for Madison to just more than $1,000 for the Prairie Farm district.
Sparsity Aid>
Several smaller school districts in the area also received sparsity aid, a new $3.6 million program for districts that have a total enrollment of less than 725. The program was enacted for the 2007-09 budget.
Aid payments are for the 2008-09 school year, but are based on 2007-08 enrollment data.
To be eligible, the district must have an enrollment density of less than 10 students per square mile and at least 20 percent of them must qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Payments equal $150 or $300 per student, depending on poverty levels in the district.
Aid went to 110 districts throughout the state. Amounts ranged from a high of $86,000 for the Flambeau school district to a low of $6,000 for Herman.
Districts in more rural areas have higher poverty rates, higher transportation costs and, in some cases, higher property values, which result in lower amounts of state aid, according to the DPI. Sparsity aid is intended to equalize that disparity.
Receiving aid were Argyle, $23, 618; Juda, $19, 592; and Pecatonica, $30,193.
Mentoring Funds>
Under state law, school districts are required to provide a qualified mentor to every teacher or administrator in their first year of employment. Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators help districts offset the cost of mentoring by reimbursing them $375 per first-year educator. A total of $1.8 million was distributed to 290 school districts and 147 private schools in the state.
Grants also support mentoring second-year educators. These grants are offered at a variable rate, depending on the number of applications from school districts. This year, the second-year educator rate also was $375.
Receiving Mentoring Funds were: Albany, $1,125; Brodhead, $1,875; Monroe, $6,750; Monticello, $750; New Glarus, $3,375; St. Victor School in Monroe, $750; Black Hawk, $1,500; Darlington Community, $750; and Holy Rosary School in Darlington, $375.
Project Lead
the Way Funds>
Brodhead is included in $500,000 in state appropriations targeted for a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) high school program.
Half the $500,000 will be available for the 2008-2009 school year. Participating programs can use the money for professional development for teachers or to make the required annual PLTW software purchase.
Immigrant Aid>
The Darlington district has received a $34,150 grant for the 2008-2009 school year for enhancement of instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youth.
The grants can be used to provide base instructional resources and supplies or staff or services, tutorials, mentoring activities and counseling, among other things.
Special Education Aid>
Keeping the Promise aid is offered to districts that provide costly services to students with severe or multiple disabilities.
There is $5.4 million in this high-cost special education aid going to 127 districts for 2008 for services provided in the 2006-07 school year. Of this money, $3.5 million is from state and $1.9 million from federal funding. To be eligible, a district must spend more than $30,000 per student.
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster established the aid program in 2003 to help local district provide services to ensure all students receive a free public education.
Monroe received $10,477 in Keeping the Promise aid, while New Glarus received $12,192. Aid amounts through the state ranged from $1.4 million for Madison to just more than $1,000 for the Prairie Farm district.
Sparsity Aid>
Several smaller school districts in the area also received sparsity aid, a new $3.6 million program for districts that have a total enrollment of less than 725. The program was enacted for the 2007-09 budget.
Aid payments are for the 2008-09 school year, but are based on 2007-08 enrollment data.
To be eligible, the district must have an enrollment density of less than 10 students per square mile and at least 20 percent of them must qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. Payments equal $150 or $300 per student, depending on poverty levels in the district.
Aid went to 110 districts throughout the state. Amounts ranged from a high of $86,000 for the Flambeau school district to a low of $6,000 for Herman.
Districts in more rural areas have higher poverty rates, higher transportation costs and, in some cases, higher property values, which result in lower amounts of state aid, according to the DPI. Sparsity aid is intended to equalize that disparity.
Receiving aid were Argyle, $23, 618; Juda, $19, 592; and Pecatonica, $30,193.
Mentoring Funds>
Under state law, school districts are required to provide a qualified mentor to every teacher or administrator in their first year of employment. Mentoring Funds for Initial Educators help districts offset the cost of mentoring by reimbursing them $375 per first-year educator. A total of $1.8 million was distributed to 290 school districts and 147 private schools in the state.
Grants also support mentoring second-year educators. These grants are offered at a variable rate, depending on the number of applications from school districts. This year, the second-year educator rate also was $375.
Receiving Mentoring Funds were: Albany, $1,125; Brodhead, $1,875; Monroe, $6,750; Monticello, $750; New Glarus, $3,375; St. Victor School in Monroe, $750; Black Hawk, $1,500; Darlington Community, $750; and Holy Rosary School in Darlington, $375.
Project Lead
the Way Funds>
Brodhead is included in $500,000 in state appropriations targeted for a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) high school program.
Half the $500,000 will be available for the 2008-2009 school year. Participating programs can use the money for professional development for teachers or to make the required annual PLTW software purchase.
Immigrant Aid>
The Darlington district has received a $34,150 grant for the 2008-2009 school year for enhancement of instructional opportunities for immigrant children and youth.
The grants can be used to provide base instructional resources and supplies or staff or services, tutorials, mentoring activities and counseling, among other things.