Wisconsin Democrats say public school funding will be among their first priorities when the new legislative session begins. The party is set to control both chambers of the Legislature for the first time in 16 years, and will work with Democratic Gov.-elect David Crowley, who focused on education during his campaign.
Rep. Angelina Cruz of Racine, a member of the Assembly education committee, said the number of communities turning to referendums shows the need to put more money into public schools right away. Assembly leader Greta Neubauer of Racine and Senate leader Dianne Hesselbein of Middleton also said they aim to increase school funding and plan to work with Crowley on the budget he will introduce early in the new year.
Neubauer said the state has a surplus, though she noted it will not last long, and said schools and local governments have been underfunded. The most recent state budget, worked out between Gov. Tony Evers and Republican lawmakers, kept general school aid flat at $5.58 billion.
General aid is the state's largest form of school support and helps offset property taxes. Among 79 school referendum questions on Nov. 3 ballots, 62 asked voters to approve property tax increases for district operations, and about two-thirds of districts are expected to receive less general aid this year than last, according to the Department of Public Instruction.
Lawmakers also discussed special education reimbursement, free school meals, childcare, and longer-term changes to the school funding formula. State Superintendent Jill Underly said she hopes lawmakers will increase investment and overhaul the formula, and Milwaukee Superintendent Brenda Cassellius urged using the surplus for general and special education funding along with property tax relief.
