Friday, October 18, 2019
What’s with my choice exemption?
A number of districts have contacted the SFS Team regarding substantial increases in their aid withholding exemption amounts for the expanded choice (voucher) programs. These changes are the result of continued growth in the number of participating schools and students as well as a $292 per pupil increase in the payment amounts for these programs.
Statewide, the exemptions on lines 10H and 10I of the 2019-20 Revenue Limit worksheet total $108.6 million, an increase of $32.0 million (41.7 percent) from 2018-19. It is understandable that more districts are wondering where the numbers come from.
Residency is determined using the documentation submitted with voucher applications. There is no provision in law to allow districts to view or audit this information for their residents. Additionally, there is nothing that requires private schools to provide information to school districts on residency.
How do I budget my choice withholdings?
The WPCP/RPCP and SNSP aid withholdings, given as the exemption amounts on lines 10H and 10I of the 2019-20 Revenue Limit worksheet, should be budgeted as expenditures coded to WUFAR account 10E 387 438000. Aid is typically withheld from the June general aid payments. As with all aid adjustments, please refer to the adjustment worksheet for your district. The initial 2019-20 version will be published prior to November payments on the Aid Payment Adjustments page.
My exempt personal property aid went down—why?
Several districts have contacted DPI about a change in their personal property tax exemption aid. The change appears to be related to the methodology for calculating aid for TIDs. This aid is calculated by the Department of Revenue (DOR); more information is available in their release on this year’s data.