3-10-14 rural schools ask wi lawmakers for more cash

CUBA CITY, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin's rural schools are asking a state committee to change the way the state gives aid so they can avoid budget cuts and closing schools.  The Rural Schools Task Force is drafting its recommendations after spending six months touring school districts in all corners of the state. Some lawmakers said they were surprised to find the schools were in such dire straits.

School officials say state limits on the amount of money they can levy each year limits their ability to balance budgets and meet increased costs.  Superintendents from rural schools told committee Chairman Rob Swearingen, Republican of Rhinelander, rural schools are at a disadvantage when compared to non-rural schools. They asked the state to change the funding formula to help schools across the state.