Madison, WI – Today, the Assembly Committee on Education passed Assembly Bill 646.
Authored by Representative Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield), this bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to contract with an external entity to complete a comprehensive top-down analysis of all 421 school districts in Wisconsin. The study will provide factual data, such as population and enrollment trends, financial analysis, and facility conditions. It will also include specific recommendations of potential actions districts could pursue that promote efficiency and are both geographically feasible and economically viable.
“Wisconsin families, students, school board members and administrators deserve clear, unbiased data about the future of their schools,” said Rep. Duchow. “That is what AB 646 provides.”
AB 646 does not force consolidation. Rather data procured by this study can be used by every community to guide the conversation on facilities, finances, enrollment trends, and potential consolidation opportunities.
“Shrinking populations and declining enrollment are realities almost every school district will face in the coming years. This study will provide valuable data that will result in specific recommendations that make sense.” Duchow continued, “I want to reiterate, this bill does not force any changes to any district. It simply creates a uniform understanding of where everyone is at. What happens next is going to be up to local school boards, not Madison”
Assembly Bill 646 awaits scheduling for a floor vote in the Assembly. Its companion bill has yet to receive a public hearing in the State Senate.
