From Kristina Reser-Jaynes

Readstown

To the Editor:

DPI released certified aid figures October 15th. Because our current state biennial budget gave ZERO new general aid for public schools, 261 of the 421 school districts in Wisconsin will receive less aid in this year than they did the last year.

Revenue limits, or the per-pupil amount districts can spend, are funded through state aid + property taxes. Governors cannot levy taxes. Governor Evers creative veto allowed the revenue limit increase (less than inflation) from the 2023 budget to continue. In an election year gimmick the GOP-led Joint Finance Committee authored a budget with ZERO new general aid, then blamed the Governor for the tax increases.

Their budget also increased per-pupil payments for vouchers programs by an additional $274 million. Next year, high school voucher amounts will be higher than most public school revenue limits.

Lawmakers touted historic gains in special education reimbursements, though public school reimbursement is “sum certain”, and landed at ~35%. Voucher schools are reimbursed “sum sufficient”, guaranteeing 90%.

Republicans have held the majority in both houses of our legislature since 2011, authoring and passing EIGHT state budgets. They have abandoned their constitutional obligation to fund our public schools, and they continue to prioritize their private school voucher scheme.

While voucher program costs exceed $700 million in tax dollars this year, 145 public school districts across Wisconsin will have been forced to referendum. Last year, 81 districts. In 2024, 192 districts. This isn’t mismanagement; it’s intentional, inadequate funding. Defund, blame, then offer private as a solution.