Appleton property tax bills will include a separate line showing how much of a homeowner's payment supports private school vouchers.
The Common Council approved the resolution 13-1 last week. The Grand Chute Town Board approved the same step, so the change covers Appleton Area School District residents living in either community.
Supporters described the line as a transparency measure so taxpayers can see where the money goes. The lone council member voting no said the move was presented as transparency but carried a broader message in the ongoing debate over school choice.
District Superintendent Greg Hartjes said he is not opposed to funding following a student, but wants fairness and transparency in how public and private schools are treated, pointing to differences in testing requirements, special education costs and transportation costs borne by public districts.
About 11 percent of Appleton's school property taxes this year — roughly $10 million — will go to voucher schools, according to the district. Fox Valley Lutheran and Xavier High School enroll the most choice students among Appleton private schools, each receiving about $4.8 million this school year.
