MADISON – The state legislature’s Joint Finance Committee action last night will increase the shift to property taxes to support public schools and further force the need for local school referenda.
While the $325 revenue limit authority exists, it is not funded by the state. Instead, it is entirely borne by local property taxpayers. In addition, school districts will not see the requested support in special education. Because of the lack of state support in these two critical areas, school districts will be left with no choice but to ask their local taxpayers to step up and shoulder the costs locally, regardless of their ability to pay.
Unfortunately, the clear voices of school leaders, parents, and community and business leaders from around the state that asked for 60% reimbursement for primary special education went unheard.
According to a Marquette Law School poll conducted in February, a majority (76%) of Wisconsin registered voters favor a major increase in funding for special education in the schools. Majorities of all partisan groups favor increasing special education budgets, with 59% of Republicans, 72% of independents, and 97% of Democrats in favor.
School districts will continue to struggle to fund mandated primary special education programs and will have to divert resources from general budgets intended for programs serving all students: career and technical education, reading interventionists, teachers, counselors, STEM, dual enrollment, music, art, and more.
Wisconsin’s investment in the future is minimal with this budget proposal.
Joint statement from:
Dee Pettack, School Administrators Alliance, Executive Director
Dan Rossmiller, Wisconsin Association of School Boards, Executive Director
Cathy Olig, Southeast Wisconsin School Alliance, Executive Director
Jeff Eide, Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance, Executive Director
