How far can schools stretch their dollars?

If the increase in state school spending passed by the legislature is less than the increase the governor proposed, is that a cut?

The story in this morning's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel starts to explain with this analogy.

Let's say your parents base your budget for gasoline for the year on $1.75 a gallon.

The next year, Mom and Dad say, we're increasing your allowance to cover $2 a gallon.

But gas now costs $2.30.

Some of us old-timers remember when parents set the allowance so that the child budgets.

Here's a nostalgic quiz. Teen-age boy told his Dad he needed a bigger increase in his allowance because the price of gasoline has gone up. Dad responded:
a. Sorry, I'm paying more, too.
b. You mean gas for that car we gave you? Boo-hoo.
c. Which one of your siblings should we put up for adoption to cover it?
d. Sure, I'll just go out back to the money tree.
e. Why don't you get a job?
f. *&^%$#@!