Don't Forget! Check Your WADM Prior to Midterm

Prior to the midterm adjustment, it might be a good move to check district WADM. The best method to complete this task is to calculate the student weights from the district's first quarter statistical report (FQSR). The sheet below gives an example of an easy method to calculate the district WADM. Remember: the largest weight factors that count toward State Aid are the ADM and the grade weights. It is especially important that districts are aware of their grade level ADM to project future revenue streams in either a positive or negative method. Using the same system with the other specific weights to calculate a district's entire weight set is not complicated.

A district’s current high-year WADM can be found here. This may change once the midterm comes out if a district has an increase in its weights, but it won’t go below this. Due to the anticipated increase in WADM from student transfers during COVID, we anticipate an unusual situation at midterm. This will be important for district budget makers to understand how their numbers will affect future funding.

If you need help with completing this exercise please feel free to contact me by email.