Kids and schools need your help. They honestly do. They need you and all your family, friends, colleagues and coworkers to tell legislators that public education is important and we need to improve its funding.
If you remember one thing from today, we’d like it to be the bi-partisan Blue Ribbon Commission Report. It has the solutions already, and we have a surplus in the bank that is more than its ask.
Public schools are mandated in our constitution to serve all students regardless of circumstance. Public schools are not allowed to and cannot close the door on anyone. The vast majority of our kids are in public schools.
One big funding problem: - Revenue limits were essentially frozen in 1993 and schools aren’t getting enough per pupil aid. For the most part, funding hasn’t been adjusted for inflation either - for many years. The last two years have had zero adjustments for inflation. This underfunding has to stop.
They say they’re spending more than ever on public education? If legislators exceed the revenue limit, they can say they are spending more on public schools, but they’re not. They’re only increasing property tax deductions. Costs are rising but funding is not comparatively.
We asked to speak with you about the public education funding in the upcoming 2023-25 Wisconsin State Budget, because:
On top of these funding gaps, priority needs are increasing while their funds are not. Underfunding these service-mandated populations negatively impacts ALL students. In conversations, ask for increased funding for two blue ribbon areas: SPECIAL EDUCATION & MENTAL HEALTH. Adequate funding for them would provide immense help to schools across the state.
In 1980, WI funded 66% of special needs programming in public schools, but now only 30%. Meanwhile, they fund 90% in private schools. Public schools must also pay for and provide transportation to private schools. Public schools have also been known assist special needs programming in private schools. This is grossly inequitable.
Special needs programming is mandated, meaning that the school districts MUST provide the services. This means, school districts across WI have to take funds from (what typically amounts to 10% of) their general budgets to cover the unfunded costs.
ALL kids and programming suffers when this happens. Across WI, this amounts to a billion $ deficit. A blue ribbon expert called WI WORST IN NATION because of this.
Let’s also not forget the Teacher/Staff crisis that we’re in. Fund those needs of students adequately, and you will provide relief to many staff and teachers. Teachers are the backbones and miracle workers upon which our economy past, present, and future, depends on!
Citizens want to fund their public schools and vote to do so consistently. We need to send this message to our legislators so they will step up and do the same.
When we force citizens to fund at local levels, we shift greater financial burdens onto them. We have the means to fund more from our state level without even raising taxes.
Thanks to our Statewide Network, the Wisconsin Public Education Network (WPEN), we have data tools that track education votes for YOU.
Do you have questions about public education? Reach out to your local Superintendent. Join our FCA4PE group. Follow our Facebook page and newsletter.
Our RESOURCE GUIDE is continually updated and has over 100 direct source links and details in an easy to follow format. Refresh your screen each time you open the document to ensure you have the most current version. Follow the table of contents to jump right into specific areas of interest. Reach out to us with questions. Also - please share our guide, tips, and this presentation with friends. We can only do this together.
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