2008-09 School District Consolidation Feasibility Study Grants

General Information for Applicants

Appropriation. The 2007-09 biennial budget bill (2007 Wisconsin Act 20) included a new appropriation (s.20.255 (2) (bs)) of $250,000 for one-time grants of up to $10,000 per each consortium for school district consolidation feasibility studies. The funds will be available in the 2008-09 fiscal year.

Statutory Authority. The law describing the Consolidation Feasibility Study Grants is in Section 9137 (3k), the non-statutory provisions related to the Department of Public Instruction in 2007 Act 20.

Applicant Requirements. Applications must be made by consortia consisting of at least two school districts and include a plan identifying:

• the school districts engaged in the study
• the issues the study will address
• how the grant funds will be expended

A school district may not be a member of more than one consortium applying for a grant under this program.
A consortium awarded a grant must submit the results of the study to the DPI within 30 days of its completion.

Application Format:

1. Cover letter identifying member districts, the fiscal agent, and the issues the consolidation feasibility study will address
2. Brief narrative responses to specific questions
3. Attachments to include:
   • A copy of the consortium agreement signed by all members.
   • A detailed budget and timeline indicating how and when the grant funds will be spent and when the study will be completed.
   • Information printed out from the DPI Data Warehouse on:
     • fund balance changes
   • Optional information from the DPI Data Warehouse.

Application Narrative Detail. applicants will be asked to describe:

• Prior attempts to address underlying management and operational issues including:
  • previous attempts at consolidation by any of the consortium members
  • educational program cuts
  • staff cuts
  • extracurricular program cuts
  • space/facility needs
• Other relevant information

DPI Requirements. The DPI must give priority to applications that demonstrate prior attempts to address the underlying issues associated with management and operation of the school districts' programs.

Funded Consortiums. The six consortiums listed below met the June application deadline and have been approved for funding.

• Chetek and Weyerhaeuser
• Glidden and Park Falls
• Bruce and Ladysmith-Hawkins
• Benton, Cuba City, Southwestern, and Shullsburg
• Montello and Westfield
• Prairie Du Chien and Wauzeka-Steuben

Application. Application materials can be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/sms/doc/cfsg_ap2.doc.

Next Application Deadline - October 31, 2008

For questions about this information, contact Janice S. Zmrazek (608) 266-2803

Last updated on 8/13/2008 3:49:01 PM