As you prepare to build our state 2023-2025 biennial budget, I write to call to your attention to the coming budget for our local K-12 school districts funding.

I appreciate the difficult choices you, as state elected state officials, have to make as you address the 2023-2025 state budget. Understanding those challenges, we are writing in support of many of the proposed funding increases for our K-12 schools for the coming state biennial budget.

It has been disappointing the steps the legislature has taken over more than the past decade of budgets. Since 2002 WI is #48th in per student spending (Source: US Census Bureau). As a Result, Wisconsin has dropped from 11th to 25th in per pupil spending prior to the 2021-2023 budget per pupil spending freeze (Source: US Census Bureau & WI Budget 2021-2023).

 

 

Wisconsin school budgets have not kept pace with inflation. The graph, state funding gap for Greendale School District, below shows the growing gap between basic costs compared to funding for our one school district. We are falling behind in the best investment Wisconsin can make in my mind, OUR KIDS!!

 

 

 

 

I want our school district to be a partner with our state policymakers in making sure our students succeed both in school and beyond high school so that Wisconsin can build its economy with an educated and skilled workforce. I want a more cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with our Legislature.

I am concerned that the previous budgets' funding structure is neither sustainable nor predictable. The funding for public school students is slowly eroding and reducing opportunities for students who we are counting on to be the foundation of our state’s economic future.

Our district will face massive financial and learning loss, as yet unknown, due losses in state aid for the district. Our district in Greendale is looking at a deficit of at least 2 million dollars next year if there is no increase in funding. Our district is small and efficient in the use of our resources. A deficit like this would mean a loss in educational and extracurricular activities for all the children in the district. A 2 million dollar loss in our school district is not sending the message we want to invest in our youth.

Our state resources have been tight; however, Wisconsin now has an unprecedented budget surplus of 6.9 billion dollars. Let's invest in Wisconsin’s future by investing in our kids! I would like to see 3 specific major investments in our schools with the coming 2023-2025 Biennial budget:

Revenues increased by a combined $2,000 ($1,000/year) per student for the coming budget, 2023-25. 
Lunch should be made free for all students. Investment in our kids' health will only help increase our students' academic performance and long term health outcomes for our future residents. 
Increase special education funding to 60% from the 30% level of support to decrease the gap from the choice school funding level of 90%.
Wisconsin’s constitution establishes that the state has the responsibility to fund public education at levels sufficient to ensure all students an equal opportunity to learn. I am concerned that going forward, Wisconsin will be reaching a point where our state will no longer be meeting this standard.

Invest in Wisconsin by investing in our children!

 

Greendale Representatives:

Email Senator & Staff: 

Sen.Bradley@legis.wisconsin.gov

Lucas.Fuller@legis.wisconsin.gov

Mac.Feehan@legis.wisconsin.gov

Michael.Hoffman@legis.wisconsin.gov

Alexander.Walker@legis.wisconsin.gov

Email 82 Rep & Staff:

Rep.Wichgers@legis.wisconsin.gov

Rebecca.Sande@legis.wisconsin.gov

Email 84 Rep & Staff: 

Rep.Donovan@legis.wisconsin.gov

Stephan.Gieschen@legis.wisconsin.gov

 

Find your own WI representatives to email as well:

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2023/legislators