Districts Battle Over Limited Grant Money for Alternative Education

New state funding, intended to provide special programming for students who are having difficulties in the regular school setting, is in high demand as the Department of Public Instruction reviewed 139 applications requesting $15 million for the $5 million grant program.

“We received so many applications for this new grant program that it is clear there is a need for some students to have alternative education programs if they are to succeed at learning,” said State Superintendent John T. Benson in announcing the awards. “The grant applications demonstrated tremendous needs in our schools and communities. It was difficult to narrow the requests to meet budgetary limits.”

The 60 grant awards went to 42 individual school districts and 18 consortiums of districts or cooperative educational service agencies (CESAs). The grants will be used to expand existing programs, develop new programs, or add program components to assist pupils having difficulty succeeding in school. The majority of grants are $70,000 to $90,000.

The alternative education program funds were part of the biennial budget bill, 1999 Wisconsin Act 9. The program targets students who are having difficulty succeeding in the regular school setting because of factors that include academic failure; truancy, expulsion, or suspension; disruptive behavior; criminal involvement; violent behavior; or alcohol or other drug abuse involvement.

Alternative education programs provide students with smaller class sizes, mentors, work experiences, peer support or counseling, or alternative school settings to help them overcome barriers to their education.

Two hundred and thirty-five school districts and 10 CESAs participated in the application process. The applications proposed 97 new programs and expansion of 42 existing alternative education programs.

“It was not an easy process to select who would and who would not receive grants,” Benson noted. “Nonetheless, we are grateful for the opportunity this funding provides to work with so many school districts that are making the investment to help nontraditional students successfully complete high school.”

Several legislators were instrumental in shepherding the alternative education grant program through the budget process.

“I appreciate the energy and resources they invested as well as Gov. Tommy Thompson’s support,” said Benson. “Sen. Robert Jauch (D-Poplar) was a particularly strong advocate who believes too much time is spent trying to assign blame for students who don’t do well in school."

“We must focus our complete energy in programs that stem the tide of failure and help kids obtain diplomas,” said Jauch. “Alternative education programs serve students who don’t do well in the traditional classroom. These programs reach out to young people and put them on the road to success.”

Schools receiving grants will be funded for the next five years. During the first three years, the award will be at 100%, the fourth year at 60%, and the final year at 40%. In addition, the DPI will work closely with each district to document successful strategies and ensure that the programs are evaluated.

Grants were awarded to:

CESA 1

• Elmbrook $70,000
• Glendale-River Hills $85,000
• Greenfield $85,000
• Kenosha $70,000
• Milwaukee $250,000
• Waukesha $80,000
• Wauwatosa $95,000
• West Allis-West Milwaukee $75,000

CESA 2

• De Forest Area $90,000
• East Troy Community $70,000
• Fort Atkinson $80,000
• Janesville $85,000
• Milton (consortium) $80,000
• Monona Grove $80,000
• Sun Prairie Area $85,000

CESA 3

• CESA 3 (3 consortium grants) $210,000
• Prairie du Chien Area $28,000
• River Valley $90,000

CESA 4

• Black River Falls $80,000
• Holmen $70,000
• La Crosse $80,000

CESA 5

• Adams-Friendship Area $95,000
• CESA 5 (consortium) $63,000
• Columbus $60,000
• Marshfield $95,000
• Mauston $90,000
• Tomorrow River $90,000
• Wautoma Area $90,000
• Wisconsin Dells $70,000
• Wisconsin Rapids (consortium) $80,000

CESA 6

• Appleton Area $90,000
• CESA 6 (consortium) $90,000
• Kaukauna Area $85,000
• Waupun $90,000

CESA 7

• Green Bay Area $90,000
• Sheboygan Area $80,000

CESA 8

• Shawano-Gresham $70,000

CESA 9

• Antigo (consortium) $90,000
• CESA 9 (consortium) $70,000
• D C Everest Area $90,000
• Lakeland UHS $70,000
• Merrill Area $95,000
• Rhinelander $80,000
• Wausau $91,000

CESA 10

• Abbotsford (consortium) $80,000
• CESA 10 (consortium) $95,000
• Fall Creek $70,000
• Flambeau $45,000
• Ladysmith-Hawkins $90,000
• Medford Area (consortium) $85,000

CESA 11

• Amery $85,000
• CESA 11 (consortium) $100,000
• Shell Lake (consortium) $95,000

CESA 12

• Bayfield (consortium) $90,000
• CESA 12 (consortium) $83,000
• Drummond $40,000
• Maple (consortium) $95,000
• Phillips (consortium) $95,000

Posted May 9, 2000