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La Crosse, Wisconsin — The La Crosse School District will close Lincoln Middle School on August 31, 2023.
The school board’s decision came Monday night amid the district’s significant budget deficit. Officials said the decision was not taken lightly or lightly.
“This decision was made after many hours of deliberation, gathering feedback and listening to the community, with a focus on maintaining a bright future for the educational environment within the community.” officials said in a release.
Officials said the budget deficit was due to “continued underinvestment by the state in public education.”
“If the state provided school funding equivalent to the last 15 years of inflation, schools statewide would receive an additional $3,200 per student,” the release said.
District officials said this would add an additional $19.2 million to annual funding.
But without the adjustment, the school district was facing a deficit of $5 million for the 2023-2024 school year, officials said.
And after looking at projections, officials estimate that number will continue to grow, exceeding $10 million over six years.
The school district tried to address these budget problems by cutting more than 40 jobs, but it wasn’t enough.
Declining enrollment rates are also affecting school districts. Officials said student enrollment has fallen by 23 percent since 2001, adding that middle schools have been hit harder. Only 47% uptime.
District officials say it has led to increased costs and a negative impact on student instruction.
In light of the decision, they said they plan to merge the middle school into two buildings.
“As we move forward with the integration, we will work with families and staff to ensure the best transition possible,” a district official said of the changes.
Consolidation allows students to get more staff support and instruction time. It also eliminates the need for $5 million in maintenance.
In addition to closing middle schools, the board also voted on a referendum on the ballot in April. A $60 million referendum will secure funding to improve the accessibility, safety and educational needs of the remaining middle schools.
The funds will be spread over six years, with $6.25 million available in the first year and $10.75 million available in the remaining years. This referendum will replace the existing referendum that ends after the 2023-2024 school year.
Officials said the referendum was important to avoid further budget cuts.
In November, voters opposed a $194.7 million referendum filed by district officials. That referendum aimed, among other things, at building a new high school and moving the middle school into the existing high school.
As the district closes Lincoln Middle School, officials said they will do their best to mitigate the impact.
“We are committed to enabling our students to discover and develop their talents and abilities to pursue their dreams and aspirations while making an effective contribution to the communities in which they live,” says District. staff said. “We look forward to the continued engagement of the community as we navigate the challenges ahead.”
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