School Budget Deficit Fails To Add Up

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After passing a $70.8 million school referendum in November to update and expand two high schools, the city of Janesville is now faced with a $1.9 million operating budget shortfall. Those willing to explain the problem have no qualms about labeling it a funding shortfall and placing blame at the doorstep of the state.

JG Excerpt:
State laws governing school revenues are closely tied to enrollment, and Janesville's enrollment is on a slow decline that is projected to continue through 2012, Bunton said.

That sounds fair enough……or does it?

JG Excerpt:
Instructional cost per student was $6,088, or 17th highest among the 22 districts. That figure also bests the statewide average cost for all districts, which was $6,224.

Using simple math and taking the higher figure of $6,224, the Janesville school district would have needed to lose 305 students over the past year for the Gazette to use the state enrollment laws as the primary factor for the budget shortfall. However……..

JG excerpt:
The district has a headcount of 10,372. That’s down 25 from last years 10,397.

Of course I’m oversimplifying here, but so what? 25 students at a cost of $6,224 per comes to a state funding shortage of only $155,600. A mere fraction of the projected shortfall and that’s with the assumption that the state pays the full $6,224 per student. Mind you, I’m not trying to make an attempt to prove anything here except to expose that blaming the shortfall on state (i.e. governor) enrollment laws is either a smokescreen OR somebody needs to explain what is really going on.

In a sidebar the Gazette slapped together to emphasize the keys points to the budget shortfall, “state laws” was right at the top.

JG Excerpt:
Storyline
The issue: State laws that limit school district revenue are creating a gap between income and expenses for the Janesville School District, putting jobs and programs at risk.

When most people think of the state, the first thing they look to usually is the governors office. Without directly saying it, that is exactly what the Gazette wants the reader to think.

Read more opinion about what is behind all local and state budget shortfalls.