Ed Advocacy Update: Bills Give Incentives for School Closings
- The Assembly passed a package of bills to incentivize school districts to consolidate, mainly through financial rewards including a one-time payment of $2,000 per pupil for districts that voluntarily merge in 2026-28.
- The bills reimburse up to $25,000 for feasibility studies into consolidation or whole-grade sharing, with additional funds for participating in grade sharing, which combines students from multiple schools in single grades.
- WEAC has registered against the bills, as we believe consolidation should only be pursued if it is for improving student learning, not cutting costs. Other concerns have been raised about the long-term impact on communities, student support and the lack of additional funding for related mandates.
In Depth: Consolidation Package Sees Action in Legislature
A package of bills opposed by WEAC is being circulated. WEAC resolutions clearly state consolidation should only be considered for purposes of improving academic achievement. “Instead of creating mechanisms that may provide fewer opportunities for students, we urge the members of this committee to focus on fixing Wisconsin’s broken school funding system,” WEAC said of the package. “With general aids frozen and 71 percent of districts receiving less state aid this year, it’s clear the focus should be on a school funding system that maintains great schools in every community supports a vibrant society and a strong economy.”
The Assembly has passed the following, which are now in the Senate:
- State aid for consolidated districts (AB 644).
Closure bills still in the Assembly Education Committee are:
- Requiring a school district consolidation study (AB 646).
- Supplemental funding for whole grade sharing (AB 649).
Bills would remove due process, require policies on communication & more
- Removing Due Process (SB 97 / AB 74). This bill would require families to be notified by the end of the day in the case of any public school staff member being reported for misconduct. WEAC has registered against the bill because it doesn’t provide due process for an employee accused of misconduct. In effect, a school administrator solely would decide whether the accusation is believable and notify parents even before an initial investigation is held. “This bill denies public school employees the fundamental principle of due process,” WEAC said in a statement. WEAC believes any accusation of misconduct against a child should be swiftly and thoroughly investigated, but this bill would require parent notification by the end of the day a concern is raised – giving no time for an employee to respond. It is also important to note that, in general, private school employees are treated very differently from public school employees.
- Appropriate communication with pupils (SB 673). Requires school boards to adopt policies by July 1, 2026, governing communication between school district employees or volunteers and pupils, including those who are homeschooled or attend schools outside the board’s control. The policy must address both the content and methods of communication, apply to interactions during and outside school hours and specify consequences for violations.
- Defining grooming (SB 671). Creates a crime of grooming a child for sexual activity and providing a penalty. Because the bill was introduced with a series focused on schools, it was referred to the Senate Committee on Education.
Other Bills We’re Watching
- Bill would end Governor Evers’ 400-year per-pupil adjustment (SB 389). A bill to end Governor Evers’ $325 annual per-pupil adjustment has passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly.
- Disruptive students & parent notification of disruptive behavior (AB 613 & AB 614). Reiterates current laws about removing disruptive and violent students from classrooms and allowing an administrative agent to decide whether the student can be returned to the classroom. Family notification of such a disruption would be required within a day. This bill has passed the Assembly and is now in the Senate.
- Professional development for science teachers (AB 592). This bill to require school districts to partner with certain nonprofit groups to offer professional development for science teachers and provide new equipment for participating districts has been referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
- Summer School Student Teaching (SB 424). This bill to allow summer school teaching to count toward requirements for licensure has passed both chambers. WEAC is opposed.
- Federal Voucher Program (AB 602). This bill to require Wisconsin to participate in President Trump’s federal voucher program has passed the full Assembly and is headed to the Senate.
- Protecting Children on Social Media. A proposal circulating would tighten regulations on how social media companies collect and use data from minors creating profiles, posting content and sending private messages. It would prohibit collecting, selling or using data from minors to personalize feeds or target ads. Only data needed to maintain an account or respond to a user’s direct search could be stored. A public complaint site would be created and platforms that violate the law would see fines of up to $5,000 per incident.
- Access to Public Schools (SB 10 & SB 11). Both chambers have now passed these bills to force public schools to allow federal recognized groups like the Boy Scouts and military recruiters access during the school day.
- Payments to School Districts (AB 354). This bill to provide even equal payments to districts has received a public hearing.
- Dual Enrollment (AB 582). This bill to create a council on dual enrollment has received a public hearing.
- Drones on School Property (AB 530). This bill to ban drones from flying over school property has been assigned to committee.
- Whole Milk for Healthy Kids. Some Wisconsin dairy organizations are celebrating this federal bill to revise USDA regulations to permit schools to offer whole and 2 percent milk in schools, in addition to the fat-free and low-fat options currently allowed.
