ELMBROOK SCHOOLS FINANCIAL PLAN
The School District of Elmbrook is experiencing a budget shortfall of approximately $16 million over the next five years. District leaders are proactively working with the community to find innovative solutions in order to sustain the district's community, excellence and opportunity within this fiscal constraint.
Please access the links below for more information on the district's financial planning process, teacher negotiations, the Board-approved 2010-11 Budget, long-term budget study team recommendations, and the district's Enrollment Management Study Team report.
Strategic Context for Financial Plan
March/April 2009 LINK: Highlighting Elmbrook Schools Five-Year Budget Options
Frequently Asked Questions: Financial Plan
SALARIES & BENEFITS
Employee salaries and benefits account for more than 80% of the total Elmbrook budget.
Historically, increases to salary and benefit packages have averaged 4% annually due to the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO), a state law which required districts to bargain at least a 3.8% package increase to avoid arbitration.
While salary and benefit packages have been increasing at a 4% rate, state revenue caps have only allowed district revenues to increase by about 2% each year. This has created an expenditure and revenue gap that has widened significantly over time.
Currently, the Board of Education is attempting to bargain a package with the Elmbrook Education Association (teacher's union) that will align the salary and benefit package increases with the available revenue increases. Please access the links below for more information on this process.
July 2010 Press Release - Elmbrook Education Association Files for Arbitration
Frequently Asked Questions: Salaries & Benefits/Negotiations
Links referenced in the FAQ:
2007-09 Elmbrook Master Agreement
2009-11 Initial District Proposal to Teachers
2009-11 Initial Teachers Proposal to District
July 2010 Press Release - Elmbrook Education Association Files for Arbitration
THE 2010-11 BUDGET
On May 25, the Board of Education approved the 2010-11 Budget. This budget will be presented at Elmbrook's Budget Hearing & Annual Meeting on Monday, September 27. Prior to the Board's approval of the budget, Listening & Feedback Sessions were held in March that helped inform the Board's decisions on several budget adjustment items. The School District of Elmbrook thanks all who participated in these community engagement opportunities.
Feedback Themes from the 2010-11 Budget Listening & Feedback Sessions
Board of Education-approved 2010-11 Budget
LONG-TERM BUDGETS FOR 2011-BEYOND
This spring the Board of Education received recommendations from several budget study teams on possible long-term solutions for implementation in 2011-12 and/or beyond. In May, the district held Listening & Feedback Sessions on proposals for elementary solutions (multi-age programming, a charter school) and secondary solutions (changes in middle and high school schedules and distance learning).
Long-term Budget Study Team Recommendations
Feedback themes from the Long-term Budget Solutions Listening & Feedback Sessions
Board-approved Change for 2011-12: High School Modified Block Schedule
ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT STUDY TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS
In July 2010 the Board of Education received a report from the Enrollment Management Study Team (EMST), a group comprised of parents and community members that was formed in January 2010 to study budget ramifications of 4-year-old Kindergarten, non-resident enrollment structures (Chapter 220 and Open Enrollment), an elementary school closing(s), and class sizes.
View the Enrollment Management Study Team Report.
Superintendent Dr. Matt Gibson will hold Superintendent Chats to discuss the EMST's report and next steps. Parents and community members are encouaged to attend any of the following sessions that fit within their schedule:
Tuesday, September 21
6pm: Burleigh Elementary School, 16185 Burleigh Place, Brookfield
8pm: Brookfield Elementary School, 2530 North Brookfield Road, Brookfield
Wednesday, September 22
6pm: Hillside Elementary School 2250 Lynette Lane, Brookfield
8pm: Dixon Elementary School 2400 Pilgrim Square Drive, Brookfield
Thursday, September 23
6pm: Swanson Elementary, 305 North Calhoun Road, Brookfield
8pm: Tonawanda Elementary, 13605 Underwood Parkway, Elm Grove