Public school districts throughout the state will share $35.5 million in library aid, which will be paid April 27 from the Common School Fund, the only state funding specifically designated for the purchase of materials for school libraries.
According to the Department of Public Instruction, aid is based on the number of children between the ages of 4 and 20 living in each school district. This year’s school library aid payment will be about $29.06 per child for 1,210,433 children counted in the 2013-14 school census. Funding is up $5.3 million from last year and the school census total is up as well by 11,244 children. The per child payment will increase about $4.11 per child from the 2013-14 school year.
State Superintendent Tony Evers said in a release, “Library aid from the Common School Fund is a welcome source of state revenue to support student learning. Wisconsin’s teacher librarians and the resources of our school libraries are integral in helping students develop the college and career ready skills they will need to succeed in the future.” He also said that allocations from the Common School Fund are the main, and sometimes only, funding available to purchase digital and print resources for the school library.
Districts must use Common School Fund library aid by June 30 for the purchase of print, digital and technology resources that are housed with the school library program and accessible to all students in the school.
Common School Fund Distribution – Local
Adams Friendship – $57,681
Baraboo – $119,023
Cashton – $39,403
Hillsboro – $34,580
Mauston – $59,860
Necedah – $27,838
Nekoosa – $50,562
New Lisbon – $25,600
Norwalk-Ontrario-Wilton (Brookwood) – $24,903
Reedsburg – $99,293
Royall – $25,455
Tomah – $131,315
Wautoma – $51,114
Westfield – $35,974
Weston – $21,184
Wisconsin Dells – $64,364
Wonewoc-Union Center -$17,319
For a full list, click here.