Funding for public schools is broken down into three areas from which revenue is generated, federal, state and local. Your federal funds are generated by your WADA and the students associated with your special populations. Those funds, on average, account for five percent of your districts funding. Your state funds are generated by your WADA and the special populations but those funds, on average, make up 35 to 40 percent of your districts funding. Local funds are based off of the local taxable value of the property in your district. This taxable value will have a tax rate that is associated with it. That tax is rated on a per $100 value and is usually around $1.00 to $1.50. This is very dependent upon where you live and the decision of the voters in that district.
This information is very hard to understand because so many needs are being addressed in our public school systems. The complexity of the funding system is built to address those needs and produce equality in the funding system. It is very evident that the financial coordinator and the superintendent must work together and stay up to date on changes in the legislature. Not being stagnant in your education and professional development plays a large role in understanding the funding of your school district and making correct decisions in tax rates and budget constraints. For example, raising your tax rate could be a good way to generate revenue for the district, but raising your tax rate only to have it recaptured by the state would not be a smart move for any superintendent or board.
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