5-8-14 rural schools report-reaction

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrats on a bipartisan committee studying rural schools say the final report from eight months of work falls short of fixing substantial problems.  Members of the Rural Schools Task Force said at a news conference Wednesday that the final report doesn't address declining enrollment and flaws in the state funding formula.  The committee's four Democrats were flanked by superintendents from rural school districts in Benton, Alma and Rhinelander.  The superintendents say they are grateful for the task force's work and legislation is needed next session to address the problems highlighted in the report.  The report released by Republican Rep. Rob Swearingen, of Rhinelander, calls for more money for schools with high transportation costs, funding for broadband Internet access and forgiving rural teachers' student loans.