Fair Funding

Wisconsin has collected billions in tax dollars that some lawmakers refuse to release to public schools, forcing half of state districts in 2024 to referendum to meet basic student needs. It doesn’t have to be this way. The governor’s proposed 2025-27 state budget can offer relief to taxpayers while investing in local public schools. But it’s going to take all of us, working together, to stand up for a better state budget.

Here’s a snapshot of public school funding provisions WEAC supports in the proposal:

General Funding 

• Revenue Limits: Provide the largest per pupil adjustments since revenue limits were first imposed by linking revenue limits to inflation starting next year. The projected increase would be $334 per student in fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $345 per student in fiscal year 2026-27.  

• Low Revenue Limits: Provide lower-spending school districts additional resources of $1,000 per student in fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $400 per student in fiscal year 2026-27; 

• Per-Pupil Categorical Aid: Increase per pupil aid with a $212 million investment, including increasing funding by $58 per student in fiscal year 2025-26 and an additional $50 in fiscal year 2026-27 and creating a 20 percent weighting factor for economically disadvantaged students. The current aid is $750. 

• General Equalization Aid: $1.2 billion; general aid is unrestricted funding that schools can use on any assortment of needs. 

Categorical State Aids 

The governor’s budget invests over $1.9 billion in areas such as school nutrition, special education reimbursements and student mental health. Learn about each of these areas and more.