MADISON, Wis. (AP) — University of Wisconsin-Extension officials are mulling consolidating services across counties to absorb a budget hit. The two-year state budget Gov. Scott Walker signed in July cut $250 million from the UW System. Extension’s share of that cut is $7 million over the biennium. Extension officials have drawn up a plan that calls for saving $1.2 million annually by combing services into four-county quadrants and sharing agricultural, child development, economic development and family living educators across each quadrant. Right now each county has its own set of four educators. The plan also calls for saving another $2.4 million per year by reducing support and other positions and utilizing more digital technology. Chancellor Cathy Sandeen is expected to sign off on the plan within the next few weeks.
