FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 9, 2018
Contact: Representative Joel Kitchens (608) 266-5350
Rep. Kitchens Statement on K-12 Education Funding Bill
Madison – State Representative Joel Kitchens (R-Sturgeon Bay) released the following statement regarding the proposed bill to increase Sparsity Aid funding and increase the low-revenue ceiling:
“As the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Committee on Education, I feel that it is vital that we maintain the positive forward momentum in school funding that was achieved with the 2017-19 budget. The youth of Wisconsin are truly the future of our state, deserving of every opportunity we can provide for them. While everyone can agree on the importance of high quality education, finding the necessary revenue to fund local school districts can be a challenge, especially for rural communities.
“I am proud to co-author this important bill, which would increase the maximum that qualifying low spending districts can spend on a combination of local property taxes and state aid from $9,100 to $9,400 per student for the 2018-19 school year. This amount would continue to increase by $100 each year until the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, the bill will also increase Sparsity Aid funding to provide an additional $6,454,600 for the 2018-19 school year.
“By increasing both the low-revenue ceiling and Sparsity Aid, it is my hope that the Assembly can continue proactively tackling the issue of school funding to ensure that all children in Wisconsin receive the finest education possible.
“While I regret that this bill will not provide immediate help to the Southern Door School District, I do feel that it will have long term benefits to both Southern Door and all of Wisconsin, making this legislation an important step forward. I appreciate Governor Walker’s renewed efforts on this issue and look forward to seeing this bill’s passage through the legislature.”
