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Appleton Area School District - A Fiscally Responsible District

When voters are asked to approve two referendum questions totaling $30 million dollars, it is fair to ask the questions, "Do I trust the district administrators to be good stewards of this money?  Is there a history of implementing cost-saving measures?"

 

If you have attended any of the Community Information Sessions regarding this referendum, talked with district administrators, attended school board meetings, reviewed school board meeting minutes, or have read stories in the Post Crescent, it is possible to tabulate a long list of cost-saving measures the district has introduced over the past several years.  Our administrators are not sitting around twiddling their thumbs.  They are making money-saving decisions. 

 

After Wisconsin lawmakers decreased K-12 funding in 2011 by 5.5% per student, having to do more with less was nothing new to the Appleton Area School District.  A culture of identifying and implementing cost saving measures already existed.  Over the past 20 years, the AASD has cut energy costs, reduced employee benefits costs, refinanced debt to reduce interest payments, repurposed unused community facilities to avoid the cost of new buildings, and implemented other cost-savings measures.

 

The AASD is fiscally responsible.  The district's proven history of fiscal responsibility is worthy of two yes votes on February 18th to enhance our students' future.

$10.1 million savings / year=Energy Management Program

  • Retrofitted Boilers and Air Handlers, adding electronic controls.

  • Replaced windows, boilers and other energy related items.

  • These actions have resulted in savings of over $10.1 million over the past 13 years!

 

$9 million savings / year=Reduction in Cost of Employee Benefits

   Since 2011-12

  • Wisconsin Retirement System Employee Contributions now paid by employees - savings of $6 million per year!

  • Health Insurance changes adding up to savings of $3 million per year.

    • 4% employee premium share increased to 12% or 9%.

    • Greater emphasis on wellness program; mandatory participation in a health-risk assessment or pay an additional 6% premium.

    • Transition (through bidding) to United Health Care.

    • Higher deductible plan tied to an HRA.

  • Post retirement health benefit

    • Change rate of accrual from 1 year of benefit per 3 years of service to 1:5.

    • Changed eligible age from 55 to 58 (reducing the maximum number of eligible years prior to Medicare)

    • Transitioning from a defined benefit contribution with a cap.

    • Savings for above changes will be measured by an actuarial study prior to the annual audit.

 

$6 million savings=Refinanced debt

  • By watching the market for opportunities (favorable interest rate environments) to refinance existing debt and taking advantage of the District's AA1 Moody's rating.

    • District (and tax payers!) have saved in excess of $6 million in the debt service fund!

 

$500,000 vs. $10 million spend=Inexpensive Classroom Expansion

  • Rent existing space from community partners.

  • Remodeled / repurposed existing but unused spaces in the District.

  • Converted former Alliance Church building for use as Classical School.

  • Partnered with Outagamie County to takeover Plamann School for use as Appleton Public Montessori School

    • Remodel costs $500,000.  If new, more than $10 million!

Additional cost-saving measures

 

  • Salaries

    • All staff salaries have been frozen three of the past five years; increase this year is equivalent to a 2.07% increase.

  • Sub-contracted various services thru bid / negotiation process.

    • Cleaning Service

    • Food Service

    • Bus Service

  • Higher student to teacher ratio.

    • Some fluctuation in class size, but trend has been to larger classes.

  • Reduced the number of non-classroom personnel.

  • Reduced building, division, and district non-personnel allocations.

  • Curriculum Materials replacement cycle has continually lengthened to more than 10 years.

  • Technology replacement cycle has lengthened to as much as 8-10 years.

  • Eliminated some student bus routes as hazardous areas have been improved (alternate ways for them to get to school).

  • Eliminated an Early Retirement (Emeritus) program.

  • Increased student fees, particularly for co-curricular participation.

  • Additional reductions in cleaning costs by altering frequency.

 

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