The Joint Finance Committee Republicans proposed a public education budget that provides zero increase in state aid. This means that the $325/student/year, made possible by Evers’ previous veto, will be covered by property tax increases, IF school districts choose to pursue that route.
Republicans approved an increase in private school vouchers that will be passed on to property taxpayers at the tune of $449/student in budget year one and $447/student in year two.
The special education reimbursement rate was meagerly increased from 33% to 35% in budget year one and 37.5% in year two, not enough to cover inflation. A minimum of 60% is needed. The private school special education voucher is reimbursed at 90%.
Don’t be fooled. The “decoupling” plan to remove private school voucher costs from property taxes does nothing to increase funding for public schools. But it does hide the cost of vouchers from public scrutiny. The growing cost of vouchers, without public transparency or accountability, will crowd out spending on other priorities, including public education.
After 16 years of underfunding, school districts are already short $3,380/student. If zero state aid stands, the 2025-27 budget will make it 18 years! That means more cuts, fewer resources, larger class sizes, and more quality educators leaving. All while we have a $4+ billion surplus.
The budget debate is in the final weeks. Tell your state senator and representative to fulfill their constitutional responsibility to fund public education … and our kids’ futures.
Connie Raether,
Appleton
Tips for getting your letter to the editor published
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Write: Letters to the editor, The Post-Crescent, P.O. Box 59, Appleton, WI 54912. E-mail: pcletters@postcrescent.com.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: LETTERS: Appleton reader opposes underfunding of school districts in 2025-27 budget
Reporting by Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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