Last week the Joint Committee on Finance passed a motion on funding for public schools that included a special education reimbursement rate of 35% in 2025-26 and 37.5% 2026-27: far lower than the 60% recommended by education advocates and in the Governor’s proposed budget.
The motion also provides no additional funding for per pupil spending, instead leaving responsibility for any increases to individual districts through referendum.
The motion does increase high needs special education funding to 90%. However, that fund supports a small fraction of the state’s students with special education needs.
“The Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities is disappointed in the decision to make relatively small percentage increases in special education investments, and hopes that a final budget will reflect the needed 60% reimbursement to make progress in ensuring all students can be successful and all schools can provide the resources that students need,” said Beth Swedeen, Executive Director.
“Statewide at Joint Finance Committee hearings and in informal discussions, it is clear that Wisconsinites support strong public schools and adequate supports for students with disabilities. The current funding system does not give districts the resources they need to ensure student success, and students, their families, and educators are paying the price.”
