November 6, 2025

As 71% of Districts Get Less Aid, Legislature Continues to Neglect Funding Needs

As 71% of Districts Get Less Aid, Legislature Continues to Neglect Funding Needs Featured Image

Along with the freeze to general aids, the 2025-27 Wisconsin biennial budget, signed in July, includes a flat $325 increase per pupil for both fiscal years. The result of lawmakers not keeping up with inflation is that 71 percent of Wisconsin public school districts will receive less general school aid for the 2025-26 school year compared to the previous year, the Department of Public Instruction has announced.

More than $350 million from public school general aid is being diverted to fund private school voucher programs, which take taxpayer dollars from local school districts and put them into private school tuition without requiring the same high standards as public schools.

WEAC continues to demand fair funding for students, a public-school special education reimbursement that mirrors what private voucher schools are given, and a moratorium on taxpayer-funded vouchers. Meanwhile, our state’s legislative majorities focus on priorities such as those included below.

Act 20 Literacy Law… for Math

The Assembly Education Committee has held a public hearing on a bill (AB 615) authors have called “Act 20 for Math.” The bill was part of the Republican education priorities platform. WEAC opposes.

Cell Phone Use in Schools

The governor has signed into law a bill that generally prohibits student use of wireless communication devices—including cellphones—during school. District-issued devices are exempt, and exceptions may be made for emergencies, healthcare management, IEP accommodations or teacher-approved educational purposes. All districts must adopt compliant device policies by July 1, 2026, so educators should prepare for changes in classroom routines and enforcement measures. Wisconsin is the 36th state with a broad school device ban. Private voucher schools are exempt from these rules, underscoring long-standing differences in public accountability.

‘Teacher Bill of Rights’ Package Misses Mark on What We Really Need

A series of other bills in that platform also received a hearing this week. The bills center on removing students from classrooms based on behavior and notifying families of the individual student, as well as all students in the class, when a student is disruptive or violent. Disability rights advocates and education groups have expressed concerns over the likely increase in seclusion and restraint practices under these bills, as well as the implications for students with Individual Education Plans and an onslaught of additional reporting requirements that would require educators to spend even more time filling out forms instead of teaching students. Here’s a look at those bills:

Reducing Voucher Eligibility Requirements

This bill (AB 460) would open the doors to more private school vouchers by eliminating the need for families to meet income, grade level or attendance requirements to get tuition paid by taxpayers if a sibling is already receiving a voucher. The bill has received a hearing. WEAC opposes.

Requiring WIAA to Follow Open Records Laws

This bill (SB 16) to require the WIAA to be subject to Wisconsin open records laws received a public hearing this week. Authors say WIAA – a private organization – should be more transparent and allow taxpayers access to meetings and communications, because most public schools are members. Note that private voucher schools – many of which have 100 percent voucher enrollment – are not subject to the open records laws and do not have publicly elected school boards. The Assembly has already held a hearing on the bill.

Engagement and Advocacy Opportunities

WEAC is here to help educators participate in hearings and take action with elected officials to ensure our classroom needs are addressed. Here is our weekly call to action:

Stand Up against Childhood Hunger in Wake of Food Benefits Cuts