Board In 2008, the School District of Elmbrook began planning developing a five-year, rolling financial plan. Each year the district forecasts a five-year budget shortfall. In its annual budget planning process, the district makes adjustments to balance the next year's budget, all while considering long-term adjustments that need to be made to address subsequent years.
Published in Spring 2010, a special budget issue of LINK (district newsletter) features a flowchart of options to address budget shortfalls.
Download: Elmbrook Budget Options LINK Newsletter April 2010
Please access links below for topics related to Elmbrook's long-term financial planning.
Frequently Accessed Financial Plan Reference Documents
Budget Study Teams
Elementary School Closing Information
Community Engagement on Financial Planning Topics
Directional Aspects of Strategic Plan to Guide the Financial Plan
Environmental Factors
- Increased constituent expectations for the district to achieve higher academic and behavioral standards.
- Increased competition for shrinking resources, including tax dollars from the community the district serves.
- Increased needs and expectations for special education and other services for an increasingly diverse student population.
- An information revolution is being driven by technology that is redefining the basic conceptualization of schooling and the way curriculum is developed, instruction is delivered, and achievement in assessed.
- Pressures from local constituents for the district to continually increase quality and results while at the same time reduce costs; and to improve both effectiveness and efficiency.
Greatest District Challenges from Constituent Survey
- Maintaining and improving the range of quality educational programs that exist in the district.
- Continuing to attract, develop, and retain quality staff members.
- Improving community trust in the Board of Education and district administration.
- Addressing the issues of declining enrollments.
- Maintaining the district's competitive advantage in the region.
- Ensuring that students and staff learn and work in a secure/safe environment.
- Responding to the constraints of state revenue caps.
- Scheduling and implementing long-term facility improvements.
District Mission Statement
The mission of the School District of Elmbrook is to educate and inspire every student to think, to learn, and to succeed.
District Vision Statement (Excerpts that inform Financial Plan)
The future of the School District of Elmbrook is to be an exemplary district with an uncompromising commitment to achieve powerful results for all students.
Families and community participate in the life of the schools through partnerships and volunteering with the district to support the mission and vision. The district values the strong partnership, effectively communicates, and safeguards the community's investment. The culture of the School District of Elmbrook is built on a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. Together we celebrate success.
Three Major Goals in the Strategic Plan to Implement the Mission and Vision
Student Learning
- Target – By 2013, at least 97% of all students who have been in the district for one complete school year will meet or exceed Wisconsin state standards in tested areas as measured by the Wisconsin State Assessment System (WSAS) and district common assessments. By 2013, performance of all federally accountable subgroups will be at 85% proficient or advanced levels as indicated by the WSAS. By 2013, at least 95% of all students will demonstrate their ability to apply knowledge and skills meaningfully by solving academic and real life problems through analytical and creative thinking, measured by attaining at least 75% of possible points on the constructed response portion of the WSAS.
Fiscal Responsibility
- Target - The district will plan for and manage financial and other resources to achieve student-learning targets, sustain infrastructure, maintain a 15% reserve, and avoid an operational override referendum through the school year 2013-14.
- Excerpts from Objectives that inform Financial Plan – Balance budgets, achieve student learning targets, and fund regular maintenance and enhancement of district infrastructure sufficient to prevent a decline in overall quality (building maintenance, repairs, and upkeep; textbook acquisition and replacement, technology acquisition and replacement, continuous staff development, and other needs that support primary student learning activities.
Connected Learning Community
- Target - The district will purposefully listen to, inform, and engage all stakeholder groups in the areas of student learning, fiscal responsibility, the Elmbrook (student) Experience, and facilities, measured by at least 75% of all stakeholders will be connected to the Elmbrook School District learning community.
