Wisconsin State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jill Underly, has proposed a historic $4 billion investment in K-12 public education, with the aim of reducing the number of school referendums on the ballot. Underly’s proposal includes increasing the special education reimbursement rate to 90% by 2027, adjusting per-pupil revenue limits, and indexing those limits to inflation for the first time in 15 years. This request will be included in Governor Tony Evers’ upcoming budget proposal.
Underly emphasized the importance of state funding in reducing the burden on local communities, where almost half of Wisconsin school districts asked for additional funding through referendums this year. Voters approved 78% of these requests, totaling $3.4 billion in new taxes. Underly believes that the legislature has underfunded education, leading to the need for constant referendum requests.
Local school districts like McFarland faced cuts after a failed referendum, with Superintendent Aaron Tarnutzer highlighting the frustration with the lack of state support. The proposal would also address key issues such as mental health and reading outcomes, in addition to increasing special education funding.
The proposal comes at a crucial time when both voters and communities are calling for more support for education. The aim is to reduce the reliance on referendums for operating costs, while also investing in key areas to improve the overall quality of education in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is also expected to rule on a veto by Governor Evers, demonstrating the ongoing legislative challenges in funding education.
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