The Belmont and Potosi school districts are two of 133 Wisconsin school districts getting state sparsity aid to address rural school needs.

Sparsity aid, originally created as part of the 2007–09 budget, was a recommendation of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Rural Schools Advisory Council. To receive funding, a district must have fewer than 725 students, less than 10 students per square mile, and more than 20 percent of its student population eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. Qualifying districts are eligible for $300 in categorical aid per student.

The Belmont school district will get $85,958 in sparsity aid, while the Potosi school district will get $78,165 in sparsity aid.

Other Southwest Wisconsin school district sparsity aid amounts: Argyle, $79,582; Benton, $57,148; Black Hawk, $92,806; Cassville, $50,772; Cuba City, $149,245; Highland, $71,080; Pecatonica, $102,252; River Ridge, $118,546; Riverdale, $169,317; Southwestern, $138,618; Wauzeka–Steuben, $69,663.

•    The Potosi school district is getting $17,416.24 in additional high-cost transportation aid. Districts are eligible for high cost transportation aid if their transportation costs exceed 150 percent of the statewide average cost per member. Also getting aid are Cassville, $19,605.63; River Ridge, $86,200.94; Shullsburg, $2,151.30; and Wauzeka–Steuben, $7,715.72.