MADISON, Wis – Representative Joe Sheehan (D-Sheboygan) along with his Democratic colleagues on the education committee introduced LRB-5599, a bill that would ensure a sum-sufficient special education reimbursement rate of 42% in the 2025-26 school year and 45% for 2026-2027. Recently, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) stated that current funding passed in Wisconsin’s 2025-2027 Biennial Budget will only reimburse school districts for 35% of their costs to administer special education this school year. The money assigned in the budget was originally projected to cover 42% of costs in 2025-26 and 45% in 2026-27. Representative Sheehan made the following statement:
“When the legislature passed the state budget in July, it was with the understanding that we would be giving school districts a significant boost in their special education reimbursement, covering 45% of the costs by the end of the biennium. School districts have already built their budgets for the 2025-2026 school year with the expectation of 42% reimbursement from the state for their costs associated with providing special education. Special education funding is mandatory, meaning that school districts must make up funding shortfalls on their own. The Sheboygan Area School District would be short $1.47 million. Without the backing of the state government, local districts will have no other choice but to make cuts to other parts of their budget to keep their special education programs going. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the state upholds its commitment to our public schools and reimburses special education at the levels promised.”
