RIPON SCHOOL DISTRICT: District Recalls 3 Teachers; 1.5 Teacher Positions Remain on Layoff

Source: Ripon Area School District

The Ripon Area School District is recalling 3 teachers from layoff due to the latest state aid calculations released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The state’s 2009-11 budget signed by Governor Doyle cuts state aid to schools by 3.1% with varying amounts in each school district based on a complex aid formula used by the DPI. While nearly one-fourth of school districts in the state are coping with cuts in the 15% range, Ripon’s share of the statewide cut to school aid was 1.8% for the 2009-10 school year. The previous estimate of 3.1% was nearly $400,000. The new calculation from DPI is a cut of approximately $220,000.

Based on the smaller than expected cut in state aid, the District’s Budget Planning Team recommended that three positions be recalled from layoff. The positions being recalled are: RMS Language Arts/Reading teacher (1.0 FTE); RHS Science teacher (0.42 FTE); K-5 Title I Reading/Math teacher (1.0 FTE).

“While none of us are pleased with a 1.8% cut in state aid, Ripon is in a much better situation than many school districts facing much larger cuts,” stated Ripon superintendent Richard Zimman. “These recalls mean that our students will benefit from smaller class sizes and more learning opportunities. Our goal is to be in a financial position to recall all our teachers and to restore the positions and work hours that have been cut for next year.”

The District still has three half-time positions on layoff in art, science, and foreign language. The District cut three full-time teacher positions which include a media specialist, a family/consumer education teacher, and a gifted/talented teacher. Work hours for elementary instructional aides were also significantly cut for 2009-10 as part of the staff reduction to meet state budget requirements for schools.