Superintendent Shares District's Desperate Financial Times

The community received of the Greenfield School District during a presentation Tuesday evening by Superintendent Conrad Farner. 

Approximately 100 residents and school officials packed the Glenwood Elementary School cafeteria where they heard of the district's current fiscal dilemma during an event was organized by the .

For a good part of the 90-minute presentation, residents asked Farner questions about the district's financial situation and what solutions may be on the horizon.    

"It's all over the news. We all know the district needs more money,” said Brandi Fienders, a parent of a third-grade student. "But, with everything going on, I don't see where the plan is to meet our current needs."   

One of the solutions bantered about during the event was a state sales tax increase, with the amount raised going directly to funding public school education. Farner also indicated an operational referendum could be in the future to help the district pay for its ongoing costs. 

Farner was not bashful about taking the leadership in Madison to task for a funding formula that perpetuates annual deficits for school districts throughout the state.

"Local school districts have been bearing the brunt of the legislature not being able to come up with a better model," Farner said.

Farner estimated a $2 million shortfall next year even after the district continues to be aggressive in cutting staff and programs and filling seats through the state's open enrollment program.

"Where do we draw the line?" Bill Fienders said.

The formula, in general, caps revenue below the amount of expenses, forcing school districts, such as Greenfield, to cut personnel and programs on a yearly basis.

"This is how we fund education in the state of Wisconsin," Farner said. "Please understand that. I know that it doesn't make sense for a logical thinker, but this is what we do."

A cap on the district's ability to generate revenue, along with a reduction of state aid is to blame for the local school-funding trouble, Farner said. 

"The tool he has given you is a chainsaw," said one attendee, referring to Gov. Scott Walker's stance that he is giving the necessary tools to local municipalities and school districts to operate more efficiently and economically. 

Greenfield School District is a handful of years away from bankruptcy if the current funding formula is not changed, or if the community fails to pass an operational referendum, according to Farner.

 "Considering bankruptcy is very concerning," said Lori Karcher, a parent of three children. "But, I don't know if we are in any different boat than any other district.”