MADISON — Following another round of unprecedented school referendums on the ballot, State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly is again urging lawmakers to prioritize public education in the upcoming state budget. Dr. Underly’s call for action comes after preliminary results indicated that 58.4 percent of school referendum questions passed on Tuesday, while 41.6 percent did not.
“Our schools are stretched to their limits, being asked to do more with fewer resources,” Dr. Underly said. “This is a challenge that affects every corner of Wisconsin. To make up for state underfunding, districts are increasingly turning to local communities to raise property taxes, which is simply not sustainable. The upcoming state budget must be the turning point – this is our chance to properly fund schools and address long-standing needs and chronic underfunding.”
According to preliminary analysis from the Department of Public Instruction, 89 referendum questions were on Tuesday’s ballot across 81 school districts. Of these, 53 pertained to non-recurring funding requests, 31 aimed to issue debt, and five involved recurring referendum proposals. Results showed that 58 percent of non-recurring questions passed, 65 percent of debt issuance questions were approved, and 20 percent of recurring referendum questions passed. Additional information on referendums in Wisconsin can be found on the DPI’s website.
Dr. Underly emphasized that these results highlight the urgent need for state-level investment in education, particularly in light of concerns about potential cuts to federal funding. On Wednesday, she testified in front of the Joint Committee on Finance in Kaukauna, outlining key funding priorities for the upcoming 2025-27 Biennial Budget. Many of her priorities were reflected in Gov. Tony Evers’ executive budget, including:
- Increasing special education reimbursement: Raising the reimbursement rate to 60 percent and providing sustainable funding to school districts (more information here)
- Universal free school meals: Ensuring no child has to learn on an empty stomach (more information here)
- Youth mental health support: Addressing the challenges faced by Wisconsin’s youth (more information here)
- Supporting the education workforce: Meeting the needs of Wisconsin’s educators and schools (more information here)
- Prioritizing health and wellness: Focusing on student health and well-being (more information here)
For additional information and resources related to the budget proposal, visit the DPI’s website. Data and other visualizations on Wisconsin school funding and more can also be found on the DPI’s Data and Maps webpage.
