School Board Finds 'Amazing' Balance to 2011-12 Budget

Despite state budget drama sending the Port Washington-Saukville School District on a bumpy ride over the past few months, School Board members approved a successfully balanced 2011-12 budget Monday night.

The fact that the numbers align is "pretty amazing in these times," said Jim Froemming, director of business services for the district.

"Thanks to our entire staff for making this whole thing work," he said, adding that the district looks out for the kids when thinking about money — finding creative ways to maintain programming and staffing.

The total budget for the 2011-12 school year is $28.67 million, down 3.4 percent from last year.

School officials faced an 8.5 percent decrease in revenue per pupil, equal to about $1.5 million, under Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget. Most years, the district receives about a 3 percent increase in that aid. Because of these cuts, the district had to look elsewhere for funds and budget-cutting actions — and were able to do so without making drastic cuts.

The budget was balanced by a number of factors, according to Froemming, including district employees agreeing to contribute 5.8 percent toward their pensions and pay 12 percent of their health insurance.

Other factors in balancing the budget included retirees being replaced by lower starting salary staff; not replacing one employee who is retiring; a 2.9 percent drop in the health insurance rate for employees; additional open enrollment students; and restructuring the learning center at

Also, local property tax rates hold constant under Walker's plan, preventing the district from simply increasing its tax levy in order to balance its budget.

A homeowner whose house was assessed at $175,000 paid $1,652 for the 2010-11 school year, and can expect to pay the same this year around as long as property values also remain constant.