Post Messenger Recorder -

The Monticello and New Glarus school districts will get a bump in funding during the next school year, while Belleville’s funding is expected to decrease, according to the latest general aid estimates.

Belleville is expected to receive $5,339,238 for the 2019-2020 school year, a decrease of $2,359 (or 0.04%) from last year, while Monticello is expected to receive $2,023,023, an increase of $13,571 (or 0.68%) from the 2018-2019 school year and New Glarus is expecting $5,926,031 for the 2019-2020 school year, an increase of $244,212 (or 4.30%).

General aid estimates were released recently by the Department of Public Instruction.

Financial assistance is expected to be $4.7 billion overall for the state, which would be an $83.2 million increase over last year.

Of the state’s 421 school districts, 59 percent are anticipated to receive more general aid for the 2019-2020 year. Five districts could see no change, and 40 percent will receive less aid.

A district’s general aid depends on property value, enrollment, shared costs and state appropriations, all of which can vary.

These contributions are the largest form of state support for public schools in Wisconsin, and statutes require that estimates be given by July 1st.

Estimates help local officials complete their annual budgets and project changes to property tax levies.

Amounts are subject to change because they are based on proposed, but not finalized, state budget appropriations as well as budgeted, but not audited, school district data from the 2018-2019 school year.

On October 15th, the department will certify amounts for the school year based on audited data and finalized state budget figures.

These aids do not include contributions per pupil in a district, as those numbers are based on enrollment in three school years: the 2019-2020 one as well as the previous two years. Per-pupil aid will be distributed in March 2020. So far, the proposed amount under the budget is $679 per student.