November 14, 2024

DPI Increases Proposed Budget in Advance of Biennial State Budget

DPI Increases Proposed Budget in Advance of Biennial State Budget Featured Image

On November 11, the proposed state budget for schools was released by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and it is calling for a 75 percent special education reimbursement rate in 2026 and 90 percent in 2027. This is an increase from the office’s earlier suggestions that it would seek a 60 percent reimbursement rate in its budget proposal.

“WEAC fought hard to demand a reimbursement rate that is at least what voucher schools receive – and of course support a 100 percent reimbursement – so this shift from the state superintendent’s original 60 percent proposal is significant,” said WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen. “It will be up to public education supporters like us to advocate with lawmakers and Governor Evers to get a better budget across the finish line this time around.”

At a time when the state is carrying a $4.6 billion surplus into the next biennial budget, two-thirds of Wisconsin school districts went to referendum this year to meet the costs of basic needs they were not allowed to cover under the state’s local school district spending limits. That is three times the number that went to referendum last year. The Wisconsin Constitution demands that lawmakers fund public schools adequately, and the special education funding alone would free up more than $1.5 billion per year in unreimbursed special education costs statewide.

“Imagine a Wisconsin where our most vulnerable students get the services they need and lawmakers don’t shift the burden onto property taxpayers,” Wirtz-Olsen said.

WEAC is uniting educators, parents and public-school advocates throughout Wisconsin to make a positive change for students through Unite for Public Schools. Together, we can create a movement for Wisconsin Public Education toward a better state budget in 2025-27 that supports students, stabilizes the education professions, protects public schools. WEAC is calling on members to take the Unite for Public Schools pledge. The pledge embodies WEAC’s school funding advocacy, including the following:

  • Pass a state budget that puts a priority on public schools.
  • Decrease school referendums by using tax dollars they’ve already collected to fund education.
  • Provide the same level of state funding to public school special ed students as private voucher schools get.
  • Establish fair salary plans in all school districts to keep and attract the best educators.
  • Block expansion of private, tax-funded voucher schools that siphon funds from local public schools.
  • Fund programs for student mental health and school meals.

You can start by signing the pledge to advocate for a better state budget and receiving our email updates.