Madison, WI – Today, Governor Evers will be signing SB 373, authored by Sen. Felzkowski (R-Tomahawk), into law. This bill will provide Wisconsinites with access to information and details regarding how their school district is spending their taxpayer dollars.
“I am thrilled that this bill is being signed into law today. Over the last several years, I have worked with stakeholders throughout the education community to forge a consensus on making school district spending information accessible to the public. I want to thank my partners, Senator Darling, Representative Magnafici, and Representative Wittke for all their hard work on this.”
The aim of this legislation is to make it easier for the public to track exactly how their school district is spending the funding they receive. The end will be an easy-to-access school expenditure portal that the Department of Public Instruction shall maintain on their website. Any member of the public, parent, or teacher can look up their school district and see what funding their school is receiving and where the money is going. This bill will create an advisory committee comprised of individuals selected by the Governor, Assembly, and Senate who will make recommendations on categories DPI must include in the school expenditure portal.
“At its core- our bill is about transparency and access, and about every taxpayer, parent, teacher, reporter, and school board member who has at one point or another found our school funding data difficult to comprehend. Every member of the public should have the opportunity for an informed discussion about school spending with their school’s leadership.”
SB 373 will be signed into law as 2021 Act 89.
