The department is required to provide each district per s. 121.15(4)(b), Wis. Stats., with an estimate of 2009-10 general equalization aid. General equalization aid is defined as equalization, special adjustment, and special transfer (Chapter 220) aid. This estimate is based upon data from the following sources:

• Audited 2008-09 membership reports on file at the department. The online detail membership report is found on each district’s home page within the School Financial Services Reporting Portal on the team’s home web page located at https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr/.

• Your district’s May 2009 certification of 2008 School Aid values. These values do not reflect any reorganization value adjustments that become effective July 1, 2009. The adjusted values will be included on the October 15 certification of aid eligibility worksheet. Your values are located under “Property Valuations” on the left hand scan bar of the team’s home web page or directly at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sfs/propval.html.

• Shared cost data computed from your district’s 2008-09 PI 1504 Budget Report as of June 19, 2009.

• General equalization aid funding of $4,652,500,000 per 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 (2009-11 State Biennial Budget Bill) with Governor’s vetoes. Also reflected in this estimate is the change in calculating aid for consolidated districts [121.07(6)(e)1 and 121.07(7)(e)1], aid payment adjustments per non-statutory provision Section 9139 on worksheet line I5 B, and the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program reduction on worksheet line H2 A that affects only Milwaukee Public Schools [121.08(4)(b)]. Information about these changes is available at http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/2009/data/acts/09enAB0075-veto2.pdf.

Note that this aid calculation is an estimate based upon the best information available as of July 1. The department will certify your district’s official general aid eligibility on October 15, using your district’s 2008-09 PI 1505 Annual Report AC (Aid Certification) data as verified by school district auditors on the PI 1506 AC. The October 15 certification of aid should be used in the calculation of your district’s 2009-10 revenue limit which the district uses to determine tax levies.

The July 1 aid estimate worksheets are available on the team’s website under “Worksheets” on the left hand scan bar or directly at http://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/aid_worksheets.html. Use the pull down menu on the Excel worksheet to access your district’s aid estimate. A 2009-10 Excel blank equalization aid worksheet with the July 1 guarantees is available under “Worksheets” on the left hand scan bar or directly at http://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/workexe.html.

Districts may wish to view an analysis of their district’s equalization aid eligibility over time. This analysis entitled, “Longitudinal Analysis of General Aid and Equalization Aid Formula Components,” is located at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sfs/buddev_eq.html.

Please contact a School Finance Consultant should you need assistance.

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1   2009-10 July 1 General Aid Estimate

2   2009-10 Revenue Limit Calculation Estimate

2   School Finance Reporting Portal (SAFR):  Data Viewing and Submissions

3   Status and Dealines Update

3   School Financial Services Contacts

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The 2009-10 Excel revenue limit calculation worksheet has been updated to incorporate the July 1 aid estimate on line 12A.  Note that the data on line 12A will change when the department certifies your district’s aid eligibility on October 15. 

The 2009-10 worksheet also includes updated data from the 2008-09 final revenue limit calculation.  Updated data may include a revised 2009-10 base computation, revised prior year membership counts and/or eligible carryover from the 2008-09 computation, as reflected on line 8A. 

Also incorporated are changes as a result of the enactment of 2009 Wisconsin Act 28 with Governor’s vetoes.  These changes are:  $200 per member increase [121.91.(2m)(f)], low revenue ceiling of $9,000 per member [121.905(1)], retains current law line 7 versus line 1 hold harmless [121.91(8)], new energy efficiency revenue limit exemption [121.91(4)(o)], calculation clarification for consolidated districts [121.91 (2m)] and state fiscal stabilization fund aid included in the revenue limit calculation [121.90(2)(am)3].

Districts receiving high poverty aid under s. 121.136, Wis. Stats., must reduce their allowable tax levies by the amount of their aid [s. 121.90(2), Wis. Stats].  The Excel worksheet has been pre-populated on line 12B with the amount eligible districts will receive in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.  A list of eligible districts  is available on the team’s website at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sfs/poverty.html.

Be advised that the school finance team will continue to revise the 2009-10 revenue limit worksheet as new information becomes available.

The revenue limit worksheet is located under “District Budget Development and Planning” on the team’s website or directly at http://dpi.wi.gov/sfs/revlimworksheet.html. 

Reminder:  This worksheet is provided as a guide.  Districts are responsible for the calculation of their revenue limit under state law.

Please contact a School Finance Consultant should you need asstance.

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District staff will notice a difference with the School Finance Reporting Portal link located at https://www2.dpi.state.wi.us/safr/intro.aspx as of Wednesday, July 1.  This is a result of the PI 1500 District Contacts Report that controls the finance team’s new data security model.

Instead of viewing a list of districts after selecting the link, district staff and others will view a web page that presents users with the option of either viewing previously submitted data OR logging in with the new PI 1500 ID and Passwords for the purpose of reporting data to the department.  On the screen district staff will see:

• View Submitted District Data:  this link will allow the user to view any district data that has been officially submitted to the department.  It looks very much like the current portal screen except that the user cannot access and submit data from this option.

• Log In to Submit Data:  district staff will use the ID and Password created for them by the PI 1500 District Contacts report to enter and submit data to the department.  After entering the new ID and Password, district staff can proceed to the reports for which they have been authorized to file data.  Navigation to the district reports is the same as before. Just click “Continue.” As a note, the 2008-09 ID and Password will no longer allow district staff to enter data.

•  Auditors Log In to Submit Data: district auditors will use their previously assigned SAFR ID and Password to enter and submit data to the department. 

Please contact a School Finance Consultant should you need assistance.

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