Public Education

 In Wisconsin, our constitution mandates “The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of district schools, which shall be as nearly uniform as practicable, and such schools shall be free and without charge for tuition to all children between the ages of 4 and 20 years; and no sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein”. 

 A per-student revenue limit has been imposed by state policy since 1993. This limit is the combination of school funding from state aid and local property taxes. Special education aid and per-pupil aid are not included in the revenue limit. Even with the recent increase in special ed aid, it is much less than in past years (45% of costs vs  66% in 1980).  

This limit has NOT been indexed to inflation since 2010. If it were, we would be spending an additional $3,571 PER PUPIL per year.  This has led to more and more local property tax referendums. 

Most state funding is determined by property wealth and enrollment in the district (equalization aid), not student need, income levels, or district education costs.  

The state spent 44.6% of its revenue on education in 2004, and 32.2% in 2024.  

Teacher compensation has fallen 19% since 2010 (in 2023 dollars), while voucher and charter school payments have increased.  

We spend more on vouchers and charter schools than on special education.  

For the 2026-27 school year, the state spent just under 1 billion dollars for voucher and non-district charter schools. 

 Private schools:

                       Aren’t required to accept and educate all students (public schools are)  

                       Don’t have to follow anti-discrimination laws. Aren’t required to hire certified teachers  

                       Aren’t accountable to school boards 

                       Aren’t prohibited from imposing a religious or ideological curriculum  

                       Aren’t required to meet the needs of students with disabilities  

Given these considerations, I would fight for the following changes: 

                       Quickly phase out tax-funded educational vouchers. 

                       Tax dollars are not to be used for private or religious schools.  

                       Increase funding to past levels, allowing for better teacher pay and support for districts.   

                      Change or get rid of the current revenue limit, and make sure funding is indexed to inflation.  

With broader support, we can help our schools to improve student performance and make our education system the envy of the nation. Education must be treated as a critical priority and public obligation, not as another budget item to be squeezed or farmed out to private interests.  Additionally, we need to ensure that our state university system is an educational and research leader, and that our flagship university remains a world-class institution.