Wisconsin's Common School Fund - What Can Be Purchased?

May 2011

Wisconsin Statute 43.70(3) provides money generated by the Common School Fund for the purchase of library books and other instructional materials for school library programs and for the purchase of instructional materials for school library programs and for the purchase of instructional materials from the state historical society for use in teaching Wisconsin history. In addition, funds may be used to purchase computers and related software to be housed within the school library media program. These purchases must be made in consultation with the school district’s library media coordinator as per Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 8.01(2)(h).

The definition of a computer is changing rapidly so on March 17, 2011 DPI reconvened a workgroup with representation from groups including school library professionals and technology directors, district administrators, the WASB and local school boards, COLAND, the State Treasurer’s Office, the Board of the Commissioners of Public Lands, CESA’s and DPI. This group worked on redefining some of the eligible library media materials.

The changes in the definitions of books and computers led to the need for some additions to the eligibility list. The workgroup determined that eReader devices are now eligible since many school librarians are purchasing more eBooks for their collections. The definition of computers now includes additional interactive devices such as an iPad or iTouch, interactive whiteboards, and media that students use to construct knowledge and acquire information. These computer purchases will be eligible. Purchases made in this category must be made in accordance with the District Information and Technology Plan.

The term library media materials implies that the items must be:

• housed within and/or directly in support of the library media program
• listed in the library media center catalog
• accessible to all students and teachers in the building and district
• circulated and used in a manner consistent with the Wisconsin School Library Media Program Vision 2010.

Library materials exclude textbooks and department or course-specific instructional materials. Supplies and furniture, including storage items are also not eligible.

Housed in the library media center has been revised to say housed in the school library and/or in direct support of the library media program. Language changes were necessary as school librarians support virtual students and have expanded the physical spaces where they support and provide professional development. This change also addresses library automation servers that may be housed in a data center but are integral to the school library program. All purchases should directly support the Wisconsin School Library Media Program Vision developed at the April 2010 Summit.

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands does impeccable work managing these funds and districts receiving these funds are also accountable for ensuring that these funds are spent appropriately. Language in Wisconsin Statute 43.70(3) states that “appropriate records of such purchases shall be kept and necessary reports thereon shall be made to the state superintendent.” The DPI is creating a revised digital process for completing the Information and Technology Plans and will incorporate methods for establishing the accountability for these purchases.

The examples that follow are based on these principles. The numbers in parentheses are the object codes from the Wisconsin Uniform Financial Accounting Requirements (WUFAR). The function code for the library media program is 222000 and only items that would fall in categories 431-439, 550 and 560 are eligible for school library program purchases with the Common School Fund. The statute also requires that appropriate records of purchases shall be kept and made available to the state superintendent as necessary. If a district does not expend the entire Common School Fund within Function 222000 Object 430 annually, it will be required to provide additional detail in the Annual Financial Report.

 

Eligible	Not Eligible
Audiovisual materials for the Library Media Program CDs, DVDs, (431 Audiovisual)	Listening and viewing equipment, e.g. VCRs, DVD players, headsets, speakers
Library books (print and e-books); up to 10 copies per title per library (432 Library books Pre-processing fees for vendors who provide shelf-ready LMC materials; Re-binding of library books (432 Library books)	Textbooks, including teachers’ copies, classroom sets of trade books, workbooks (470), furniture and book storage items (444) Barcodes, labels, book jacket covers and other supplies (411); Rebinding of textbooks (354)
Pre-processing fees for vendors who provide shelf-ready LMC materials; Re-binding of library books (432 Library books)	Barcodes, labels, book jacket covers and other supplies (411); Rebinding of textbooks (354)
Professional materials housed in the school library media program eReader devices, e.g. Nooks, Kindles (439 Other media)	Professional materials for a teacher center, professional library, department, or classroom housed outside of the library (479)
Newspapers and periodicals for the LMC (print and e-subscriptions) 433 Newspapers and 434 Periodicals)	Individual copies or sets of newspapers and magazines for classrooms or teachers (479)
Digital, video-streamed or web-based resources that support the school library media program, e.g. NetTrekker, Discovery Education Streaming, Safari Montage, Webinars, ECB (PBS) Resources or WisCareers Instructional research software, e.g. graphic organizers, draft writers, or citation generators Library automation software and related software components or licenses; WISCAT license (435 )	Administrative or Network operation software (480) Department or course-specific software, e.g. online or virtual courses, NovaNET, Plato, Accelerated Reader, Destination Math Application software, e.g. Microsoft Office, KidPix, Frontpage, Turnitin.com (480) Internet filters or Internet access (358) Computer peripherals and other hardware, e.g. wiring, amplifiers, cables, modems (360, 440, 460, 550, or 560) Long distance telephone charges (355)
Reference materials and realia for the LMC, e.g. print and electronic reference books and subscriptions, globes, maps, kits (439 Other media) WILS membership to purchase databases.	Classroom sets of encyclopedias or other reference books (479) Borrowing, delivery or usage fees imposed by other libraries or services (490)
Computers for the LMC — (550 Equipment addition or 560 Equipment replacement) iPads, interactive portable devices, instructional media based applications in accordance with the district Information and Technology Plan.	Other equipment, e.g., printers, LCD projectors, scanners (550 or 560)

Related links:

Common School Fund Explanation
Frequently Asked Questions
Statutes Relating to the Common School Fund
Library Aid Amounts-Current and Prior Year Data

If you have questions regarding school library purchases that meet the requirements of the Common School Fund contact Nancy Anderson, School Library Media Consultant, Instructional Media and Technology. Telephone: (608) 267-9287.

For questions regarding school library aid and accounting contact Brad Adams, School Finance Consultant. Telephone: (608) 267-3752.

For questions about this information, contact Nancy E. Anderson (608) 267-9287

Last updated on 12/13/2011 1:37:59 PM