Aid to High Poverty Districts

Statutory Reference: s.121.136 and 121.90(2), Wis. Stats.

This aid program was enacted into law as part of the 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, the state's 2007-09 state biennial budget.

2009-2010 School Fiscal Year and Succeeding Years:

In 2009-10 and thereafter, a school district is eligible for aid if, in the October preceding each biennium, the number of pupils eligible for free or reduced-price lunch divided by the district's September membership is equal to at least 50 percent after rounding to the nearest whole percentage point. An eligible school district's aid entitlement is calculated by dividing the total appropriation amount by the prior year aid membership of all eligible school districts. This per pupil amount is then multiplied by each district’s prior year aid membership to determine the payment amount.

Special note: Such aid payments are generally not subject to the calculation of school district revenue limits under s. 121.91, Wis. Stats. However, high poverty aid is required to reduce a district's allowable maximum levies and in the case of Milwaukee, reduce the aid reduction offset attributable to the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program. Additionally, due to the inclusion of this aid program in Subchapter II – General Aid of s. 121, Wis. Stats., these payments will be treated as general aid payments for purposes of calculating equalization aid.

District listing with aid amount eligibility for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years.

District listing with aid amount eligibility for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 school years.

Districts will receive this payment on the fourth Monday of March in each fiscal year.

2007-08 and 2008-09 School Fiscal Years:

It provides an aid payment to districts that had met specific criteria as of October, 2006. A district must have had at least 50 percent of its enrollment be eligible for free and reduced price lunches as defined by the federal school lunch program.

November 28, 2007 Letter to Eligible Districts

June 30, 2008 Letter to Eligible Districts

District listing with aid amount eligibility for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years. Districts receive this payment on the fourth Monday of March in each school fiscal year. Revised December 26, 2007.

For questions about this information, contact dpifin@dpi.wi.gov (608) 267-9114

Last updated on 11/30/2011 9:46:02 AM