April Referendums

By Dee Pettack | March 20, 2023

With the April election approaching schools are trying to plan amid state budget uncertainties while still striving to be fiscally responsible with their funds.  Schools are not immune to the economic pressures that are tightening budgets beyond.  In three of the last four budgets, revenue limits for districts have been frozen. Unable to keep pace with inflation and rising costs has forced some districts to utilize one-time federal dollars for ongoing expenses. This will result in a fiscal cliff for those districts and uncertainty around the programming they can offer students. Workforce pressures currently impacting the private sector in Wisconsin are just as present in schools. Schools are struggling to keep teachers and staff, especially when they are competing with private companies offering hiring bonuses, high pay, and in some cases equal benefits with less liability.

School boards are looking at maintenance needs, upkeep and upgrades and weighing decisions on whether to wait or borrow the funds now.  Schools are experiencing increased project costs due to inflation, an increase in supply needs and interest rates.  Schools may be choosing to go to referendum now to offset expanding inflation, economic pressures, and to provide some predictability in their budgeting.  The level of commitment of state funding is still unknown and planning for the next school year is well under way.

Below is the list of referendums provided by The Wheeler Report:

 

District District Name Total Amount Type Brief Description
0014 Adams-Friendship Area $12,000,000.00 NR – 2023 To exceed revenue cap $3,000,000 for 4 years beginning 2023-2024.
0112 Altoona $26,000,000.00 Issue Debt Buying building and improvement to building and other district-wide maintenance, infrastructure and site improvements.
0154 Arcadia $2,250,000.00 NR – 2023 Referendum question to exceed the revenue cap in the amount of $750,000 each year for three years beginning with the tax levy year of 2023 and ending with the tax levy year of 2025.
0182 Ashwaubenon $19,500,000.00 NR – 2023 Operational referendum 5 year
0196 Athens $5,270,000.00 NR – 2023 RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
0203 Auburndale $1,200,000.00 NR – 2023 For a non-recurring referendum to exceed the revenue cap in the amount of $600,000 for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
0287 Barneveld $3,450,000.00 NR – 2023 Operating Costs and Maintenance
0413 Beloit $19,500,000.00 Issue Debt Construction and district-wide capital maintenance improvements including roofing and building infrastructure updates to heating, ventilation, and cooling system, safety and exterior upgrades, and renovations to athletic facilities at Beloit Memorial High School.
0413 Beloit $23,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed the revenue limit by $14,000,000 in 2023-24 and $9,000,000 in 2024-25 for operational and maintenance expenses, including for technology, curriculum and instructional materials, and social and emotional behavioral programs.
0434 Berlin Area $12,500,000.00 NR – 2023 5 year nonrecurring operational 2,500,000
0434 Berlin Area $20,000,000.00 Issue Debt Debt Issue of $20,000,000
0485 Blair-Taylor $4,500,000.00 NR – 2023 The purpose of the non-recurring referendum is to maintain current operations and opportunities for our students, attract and retain staff, rebuild our fund balance.
0609 Boscobel $21,500,000.00 Issue Debt To pay the cost of $21,500,000 for the public purpose of a school building and facility improvement project consisting of renovations and construction of additions and a gymnasium at the MS/HS.
0658 Brillion $4,380,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution to Exceed Revenue Cap Commencing with the 2023-2023 School Year (3YR)
0665 Bristol #1 $2,400,000.00 NR – 2023 3-year non-recurring Operational Referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $800,000 per year beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and ending with the 2025-2026 school year consisting of expenses to sustain and maintain current operational and maintenance practices.
0777 Burlington Area $24,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed revenue limit by $8 million per year for 3 years non-recurring for operational and maintenance expenses
0870 Cadott Community $9,965,000.00 Issue Debt For the purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project at the Junior/Senior High School
0896 Cambridge $2,400,000.00 RR – 2023 Recurring operational referendum: sustain class size, curriculum, technology, school safety and retain highly qualified staff.
0903 Cameron $6,100,000.00 Issue Debt Referendum not to exceed $6,100,000 through the issuance of general obligation bonds of the District for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project consisting of:  building systems, infrastructure and capital maintenance improvements at the Middle and High Schools; secure entrance improvements and main office remodeling at the Elementary, Middle and High Schools; school bus and district vehicle replacement; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
1309 Deerfield Community $49,700,000.00 Issue Debt Funds to be used to renovate and to build on additions to the existing Deerfield High School.
1540 East Troy Community $9,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed the revenue limit by $3,000,000 per year beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and ending with the 2025-2026 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational expenses to help maintain existing programs and staffing.
1638 Elkhorn Area $30,000,000.00 NR – 2023 $6,000,000 per yearfor five years beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 schoolyear, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to maintaining currentinstructional programs and class sizes, staffing, ongoing safety and facility maintenance.
1638 Elkhorn Area $500,000.00 RR – 2023 $500,000 beginningwith the 2023-2024 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of expenses related toproviding additional resources for the four-year-old kindergarten program.
1883 Fort Atkinson $3,000,000.00 RR – 2023 Recurring Referendum for $3M beginning in 2023-24.
1883 Fort Atkinson $20,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Non-recurring referendum for $5M per year for four years (FY24-FY27)
2114 Gibraltar Area $29,800,000.00 Issue Debt School facility improvement project at the school building and site consisting of:renovations, safety and security, building infrastructure and building systems improvements; construction of additions for classrooms, offices and a replacement gymnasium; removal and replacement of older portions of the school building; site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
2576 Horicon $4,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $800,000 for 5 years for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses.
2611 Hudson $29,000,000.00 Issue Debt To pay for the costs of facility and grounds improvements to the EP Rock andNorth Hudson Elementary Schools and the Hudson Middle School and equipmentacquisition related to said projects.
2611 Hudson $8,000,000.00 RR – 2023 The final school district budget shall include an amount of$8,000,000 each year in excess of the revenue limits imposed by Section 121.91 of theWisconsin Statutes commencing with the 2023-24 school year on a recurring basis for thepurpose of paying District operation, maintenance and staffing costs.
2625 Hustisford $19,500,000.00 Issue Debt School building and facility improvement project consisting of consolidation into one PK-12 school facility
2849 La Crosse $60,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution authorizing the School District budget to exceed revenue limit for six years for non-recurring operational and maintenance expenses.
2940 Laona $2,236,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed revenue limit for nonrecurring purposes
3206 Loyal $6,700,000.00 NR – 2023 Authorizing the School District budget to exceed revenue limit for five years for non-recurring purposes.
3290 Manitowoc $61,700,000.00 NR – 2023 5 Year Non-Recurring Referendum to Exceed the Revenue Cap for the Following Amounts Per Fiscal Year:2023-24 – $5,200,0002024-25 – $11,000,0002025-26 – $13,000,0002026-27 – $15,000,0002027-28 – $17,500,000
3318 Marion $6,900,000.00 Issue Debt Capital referendum not to exceed $6,900,000.00 to support safety & security upgrades, capital maintenance, building infrastructure & building systems improvements and furnishings, fixtures & equipment.
3318 Marion $300,000.00 RR – 2023 Recurring referendum to exceed the revenue cap by $300,000.00 for operational expenses, including to sustain educational programming and services and expand course offerings and staff.
3339 Marshfield $99,500,000.00 Issue Debt Shall the Unified School District of Marshfield, Wood, Marathon and Clark Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $99,500,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a district-wide school building and facility improvement project consisting of:  construction of additions, including for a secure entrance, career and tech ed space, classrooms, student services, and cafeteria/commons and fitness areas, renovations and capital maintenance, building systems, infrastructure and site improvements at Marshfield High School; capital maintenance and building systems improvements at Marshfield Middle School; renovations and building systems, infrastructure, safety and site improvements at the elementary schools; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?
3484 Mercer $2,235,000.00 NR – 2023 A nonrecurring levy to support operations, programs and facilities of the Mercer School District.
3612 Milton $9,500,000.00 RR – 2023 Authorization to increase the review limit by $4,000,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; by an additional $1,000,000 (for a total of $5,000,000) for the 2024-2025 school year; by an additional $1,000,000 (for a total of $6,000,000) for the 2025-2026 school year; and by an additional $3,500,000 for the 2026-2027 school year (for a total of $9,500,000 and to remain at this amount), for recurring purposes consisting of ongoing educational programming, staffing and maintenance expenses.
3675 Monona Grove $13,800,000.00 RR – 2023 Authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $6,000,000 for the 2023-2024 school year; by an additional $1,600,000 for the 2024-2025 school year; and an additional $6,200,000 for the 2025-2026 school year and there after for recurring purposes consisting of maintaining current programs and staff and operation expenses.
3871 Necedah Area $7,000,000.00 Issue Debt School facility improvement project at the school building and facilities
3899 Neillsville $12,500,000.00 Issue Debt Facility improvement project consisting of:  building, infrastructure, systems and site improvements; building renovations, accessibility upgrades and asbestos abatement; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, technology and equipment.
3934 New Glarus $4,800,000.00 NR – 2023 Question:  Shall the School District of New Glarus, Green and Dane Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,400,000 for the 2023-2024 school year, by $1,600,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, and by $1,800,000 for the 2025-2026 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of expenses related to staffing, operating and maintaining current school facilities, and maintaining current educational programming, extracurriculars, and services?
3514 North Lake $3,600,000.00 NR – 2023 Referendum to Exceed the Revenue Limit for Three Years for Non-Recurring Purposes
1945 Northern Ozaukee $8,500,000.00 NR – 2023 To exceed revenue limit for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including to maintain current educational programs, services, and facilities.
3990 Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton $24,900,000.00 Issue Debt Capital referendum project for building updates, maintenance, and added programming spaces for educational instruction and co-curricular activities. The project includes: the addition of a new track & field space,
4060 Oconomowoc Area $38,650,000.00 Issue Debt School building and facility improvement project consisting of:  building systems and capital maintenance improvements at the High School, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and roof replacement; construction of a classroom addition, capital maintenance and site improvements at Ixonia Elementary School, including roof and floor replacement; removal of modular classrooms; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
4060 Oconomowoc Area $36,800,000.00 Issue Debt School building and facility improvement project at the High School consisting of:  renovations, including for art, music and commons space; construction of an addition and renovations, including for a gymnasium, weight and fitness training spaces, locker rooms, storage, offices and an expanded cafeteria/commons; capital maintenance, parking lot and site improvements; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment.
4151 Parkview $4,350,000.00 NR – 2023
0490 Pecatonica Area $18,800,000.00 Issue Debt Capital referendum not to exceed $18,800,000.00
4536 Poynette $9,250,000.00 NR – 2023 Non-Recurring Refererendum for Purpose of Providing for Operational Needs Of the School District
4627 Randall J1 $9,500,000.00 Issue Debt Referendum to support the District in capital projects that include, but not limited to improving safety, security, roofing, heating & cooling systems. Additionally, create a secure single entrance to the building that also ensures the opportunity for social/emotional support for our greater school community.
4627 Randall J1 $3,600,000.00 NR – 2024 Authorization to exceed the revenue limit by $900,000 per year for the 2024-25 school year through the 2027-2028 school year.
4956 Rosendale-Brandon $3,000,000.00 NR – 2023 $3 million over 2 years for operating purposes
4956 Rosendale-Brandon $35,700,000.00 Issue Debt $35.7 million for updates to high school and intermediate school so that two elementary schools can be closed.
5355 Shorewood $27,500,000.00 NR – 2023 Operational and maintenance expenses, including salaries, benefits and instructional and extra-curricular programming
5369 Silver Lake J1 $2,400,000.00 NR – 2023 Non-Recurring Operational Referendum  to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91,Wisconsin Statutes, by $800,000 per year for three years, beginning with the 2023-2024 schoolyear and ending with the 2025-2026 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting ofoperational and maintenance expenses.
5376 Siren $1,200,000.00 NR – 2024 Operating Referendum
5376 Siren $5,000,000.00 Issue Debt Construction of Playground, Track, Football field
5432 Somerset $22,900,000.00 Issue Debt Issue bonds not to exceed $22.9M for facility improvements and renovations at the ES and athletic fields, and to construct an auditorium at the HS
2485 Southwestern Wisconsin $3,900,000.00 NR – 2023 To exceed revenue caps for operation to maintain programs due to increased costs and inflation.  This money will be used to maintain current staff levels, programs for students, and overall operation of the district.
5474 Spooner $5,850,000.00 NR – 2023 non recurring purposes
5586 Spring Valley $1,500,000.00 NR – 2023 REFERENDUM AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT BY $500,000 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
5586 Spring Valley $7,100,000.00 Issue Debt REFERENDUM AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $7,100,000
5628 Stratford $990,000.00 RR – 2023 Exceed revenue limit by $990,000 beginning with the 2023-24 school year, for recurring purposes consisting of sustaining educational programming and operational expenses.
5747 Tomah Area $10,000,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution to authorize the Tomah Area School District to exceed the revenue limit by $2,500,000 during the 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and the 2026-2027 school years.
4375 Tri-County Area $1,450,000.00 RR – 2023 Resolution Authorizing the School District Budget to Exceed Revenue Limit by $1,450,000 for Recurring Purposes”
5866 Valders Area $9,900,000.00 Issue Debt Updates and repairs to MS/HS; building expansion
5866 Valders Area $7,500,000.00 NR – 2023 Operational expenses
6022 Walworth J1 $4,800,000.00 NR – 2023 a non-recurring three year referrendum of $1.4M in 2023-2024, $1.6M in 2024-2025, and $1.8M in 2025-2026 in order to meeting the operating costs of Walworth Joint School District #1.
6069 Washington $1,870,000.00 NR – 2023 A non-recurring referendum to exceed the revenue cap for operational purposes for two years.
6104 Washington-Caldwell $1,400,000.00 NR – 2023 Operational  – to maintain current class sizes, sustain the current level of educational programming and support the day-to-day operations of the school district.
6104 Washington-Caldwell $2,500,000.00 Issue Debt Facility upgrades and improvements at school including updates to safety and security  and the boiler and heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
6083 Waterford UHS $24,500,000.00 Issue Debt Authorize a borrowing in an amount not to exceed $24,500,000 through the issuance of general obligation bonds of the District for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school facility improvement project at the district building and grounds consisting of: improving safety and security, renovating a former elementary building and making other site improvements: updating older portions of the high school; improving the softball and soccer complexes: performing capital maintenance and building systems upgrades and acquiring furniture, fixtures and equipment.
6118 Waterloo $1,770,000.00 NR – 2023 Resolution authorizing the school district budget to exceed revenue limit by $590,000 per year for three years for non-recurring purposes.
6237 Wautoma Area $41,300,000.00 Issue Debt Initial resolution authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $41,300,000.00
6321 Westby Area $5,700,000.00 NR – 2024 Exceed Revenue Limit to sustain educational programs and to operate the District
6426 Whitehall $1,700,000.00 NR – 2023 Exceed revenue limit for two year for operating expenses
6545 Wilmot UHS $8,400,000.00 NR – 2023 Operational referendum to exceed the revenue limit by $5,500,000 for the 2023-2024 school year and by $2,900,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, for non-recurring purposes consisting of operational and maintenance expenses, including for salary, benefits and security improvements.
6608 Winneconne Community $28,300,000.00 Issue Debt Issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,300,000 for Middle School facility improvements/remodeling and reconstruction of the High School Parking Lot
6748 Yorkville J2 $12,100,000.00 Issue Debt
6748 Yorkville J2 $900,000.00 RR – 2023

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State Budget Update

By Dee Pettack | March 10, 2023

The Joint Finance Committee (JFC) has announced the statewide budget hearings (see post).  The Legislative Fiscal Bureau’s (LFB) summary of Governor Evers’ State Budget proposal will be released shortly.   After which JFC will conduct state agency briefings before holding statewide public hearings. We will follow up with a separate post on coordinating SAA member testimony at the JFC budget hearings.

 

As the 2023-25 State Budget process begins to pick up speed, I would like to thank all those SAA members that have already begun conversations with their legislators regarding the Governor’s budget recommendations.  For those that have yet to communicate with their legislators, talking points are attached to assist with your conversation. To be successful on this state budget, SAA members in every school district must contact their legislators repeatedly throughout the long budget process.

 

I suggest that each district leadership team, behind the leadership of the superintendent and business manager, develop your district message and craft your plan for influencing your parents, your staff, your community, your media and your lawmakers — and then coordinate the delivery of that message.  With frozen revenue limits and a looming fiscal cliff this budget will be vitally important for your school district and the children you serve.   It is critically important for you to reach out to your legislators and your community.

 

Attached are talking points to aid in your communications and help prepare you for conversations with your legislators and community which cover the following:

 

  1. Consider inviting your legislators to your school(s).  Use the opportunity to show them some of the great educational opportunities afforded to the children in your district.  Show them what learning looks like today in your district.
  2. Discuss your district’s spending of ESSER dollars. Some legislators have openly expressed the opinion that, because of this one-time federal aid, public schools in Wisconsin didn’t need ongoing support in the 2021-23 state budget.  Due to the lack of state funding were you forced to use one time federal funding for ongoing operational expenses?
  3. Express your strong support for the Governor’s proposal to increase the level of special education aid to reimburse aidable costs in a meaningful way. Wisconsin school districts collectively transfer over $1 billion annually from district general funds to cover the funding gap between required special education costs and current state funding.  Explain your district’s “general fund to special education fund” annual transfer and how significant increases in special education aid can help meet the needs of all students in your district.
  4. Express your strong support for a per pupil general revenue increase in each year of the biennium.  Explain the importance of these increases in per pupil revenues in both fiscal and human terms.  Emphasize the impact on educational opportunities for your students.
  5. Tell your district’s story. Talk about your student population.  Your legislators need to hear it.
  6. Encourage your legislators to stand up for the children you serve.
  7. Thank them for listening and for serving the citizens of Wisconsin.

 

Legislators may be proactively reaching out to you for information, if not, I encourage you to reach out to the members of the Joint Finance Committee and your legislators as soon as possible.  Many SAA members prefer sending letters or emails to their legislators.  Some members have found that their legislators prefer phone conversations.  In the past some members have even produced videos to advocate for the needs of their students. All these methods work great.  All I ask is that you copy your written or video communications to the SAA so we can post them as examples for your colleagues.

I know many of you have already discussed these issues with your legislators, and I thank you.  For your convenience, I have provided links to the Senate Directory, the Assembly Directory and Who Are My Legislators.

 

Thanks for your attention, and for all your efforts on behalf of the children you serve.

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JFC Announces Budget Listening Sessions

By Dee Pettack | March 8, 2023

From The Wheeler Report:

The Joint Finance Committee announced four public hearings on the 2023-25 State Budget. The public hearing schedule is:

Waukesha County Expo Center, Main Arena

1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha

UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center

Ojibwe Grand Ballroom (Third Floor)

77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire

Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center

Sandstone Meeting Room

45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells

Lakeland Union High School

9573 State Highway 70, Minocqua

Additional information from SAA, including budget talking points, is forthcoming.

Additionally, Wisconsinites may access the online portal to submit testimony which will be circulated to all 16 committee members : https://legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments/ as well as a dedicated email address:  budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov

 

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Legislative Alert – Education Hearing on 3/2/23

By Dee Pettack | February 28, 2023

On March 2nd there will be a joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Education committees on the subject of reading.  The informational hearing will take testimony from invited speakers only beginning at 10:00am at the state Capitol in room 412 East.  The notice for the informational hearing and the list of speakers is available here.  Coverage of the informational hearing will air on Wiseye.org.

The Assembly Education Committee has issued a notice that it will hold a public hearing on Assembly Bill 53 following the conclusion of the informational hearing.  The Governor previously vetoed this bill last session (2022 Senate Bill 585).  His veto message can be found here.  The Assembly Education Committee will also take public testimony on Assembly Bill 69, which was just recently introduced.

Legislative Reference Bureau Analysist of AB 53:

Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, this bill requires public high schools and private high schools participating in a parental choice program to collect statistics on violations of municipal disorderly conduct ordinances and certain crimes, including homicide, sexual assault, burglary, battery, and arson, that occur on school property or on transportation provided by the school. The high school must collect statistics about the crime or disorderly conduct only if 1) it occurred on a weekday between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.; 2) it is reported to law enforcement; and 3) a charge is filed or citation is issued. The bill further requires that the collected statistics be reported to the Department of Public Instruction and included on the annual school and school district accountability report. Finally, the bill clarifies that DPI may not consider crimes statistics reported by a school or school district for purposes of determining a school or school district’s performance on the annual school and school district accountability report.

Legislative Reference Bureau Analysis of AB 69: 

This bill requires each public school, including a charter school, to report any incident that occurs in a school building or on school grounds to local law enforcement. The bill provides that, if 100 or more incidents occur in and on public school buildings and grounds during a school semester, and at least 25 of those incidents result in an arrest, the school must, no later than the first day of the next school year, employ or contract for the employment of a law enforcement officer as an armed school resource officer (SRO) to work at the school. Under the bill, “incident” is a defined term that includes violations of state and municipal disorderly conduct laws and certain crimes, including homicide, sexual assault, burglary, battery, and arson. However, the bill provides that, for purposes of counting the number of incidents that resulted in arrest, “incident” does not include incidents related to use or possession of alcohol, cigarettes, nicotine, tobacco products, or vaping devices.

The bill also requires the Department of Public Instruction to reimburse a school board or the operator of an independent charter school that begins employing or enters into a new contract for the employment of a law enforcement officer as an armed SRO all of the following amounts: 1) 75 percent of the costs associated with the SRO for the 2023-24 school year; 2) 50 percent of the costs associated with the SRO for the 2024-25 school year; and 3) 25 percent of the costs associated with the SRO for the 2025-26 school year. Under the bill, the governor must allocate money received by the state under the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to reimburse DPI for these payments to school boards and independent charter school operators.

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Governor Evers Announces 2023-25 Education Budget Initiatives

By Dee Pettack | February 14, 2023

Governor Evers announced the following K-12 Education initiatives will be included in his 2023-25 budget proposal. The Governor will formally introduce his budget Wednesday, February 15, 2023 at 6:30.  The budget address will stream live on wiseye.org.

The summary of initiatives published by The Wheeler Report is below:

K-12 BUDGET INITIATIVES

According to the release, “In total the governor’s 202325 biennial budget will provide an increase of more than $2.6 billion for public schools, including the second largest proposed direct investment in state general aids since the 1995-97 biennium, the largest per pupil adjustments since revenue limits were imposed, and a historic investment in special education.”

Overall Investment:

Special Education:

“Get Kids Ahead” Initiative:

Increased Medicaid Support:

Health Meals, Health Kids:

Literacy and Improving Reading Outcomes:

Financial Literacy, Mathematics, and Computer Science:

Supporting English Learners:

Teacher Workforce:

Supporting Tribal Partners:

Additional Student Supports:

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2023-25 Biennial Budget

By Dee Pettack | February 1, 2023

On February 15, 2023, Governor Evers will give his budget address to introduce his 2023-2025 Budget.

DPI’s 2023-25 Biennial Budget Request for K-12 School Aids, Building the Educator Pipeline, Public Libraries/Lifelong Learning, and Agency Operations

Summary of DPI’s 2023-25 Biennial Budget Request

DPI’s 2023-25 Biennial Budget Request – Brief

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Governor Evers 2023 State of the State Address

By Dee Pettack | January 25, 2023

On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, Governor Evers gave the 2023 State of the State Address.  Below is a summary from The Wheeler Report:

GOVERNOR EVERS GIVES 2023 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

His speech he highlighted education, environment, childcare, business development and workforce issues, and tax provisions. 

Excerpts of the speech are listed below.   

Education:

 Mental Health:

Taxes:

 Childcare:

The governor’s address is available to watch here.  The full text is available here.

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Evers Announces Budget Listening Sessions

By Dee Pettack | December 9, 2022

From WisPolitics.com …

Gov. Tony Evers this morning announced three budget listening sessions before year’s end with more planned into 2023.The first in-person event will be Tuesday in Kenosha as part of what Evers is calling the “Doing the Right Thing” listening session tour. That reflects one of the main themes of Evers’ successful reelection bid.That will be followed by a virtual listening session Wednesday with an in-person event Dec. 20 in Green Bay.Evers’ office said more locations and dates will be announced in the new year.See the release here.

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Assembly Joint Finance Committee Members Announced

By Dee Pettack | December 5, 2022

From WisPolitics.com …Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has elevated Rep. Terry Katsma, R-Oostburg, to vice-chair of the Joint Finance Committee.He’s also added Rep. Alex Dallman, R-Green Lake, to fill the open Assembly GOP spot on the committee.Rep. Amy Loudenbeck, R-Clinton, served as the Assembly vice-chair this session. But she opted against seeking reelection to run for secretary of state.Vos previously announced Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, would return as co-chair.The rest of the Assembly Finance team remains the same as this past session: Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc; Jessie Rodriguez, R-Oak Creek; and Shannon Zimmerman, R-River Fall.See Vos’ release here.

See Dallman’s here.

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Budget Surplus Update

By Dee Pettack | November 23, 2022

From WisPolitics.com …

WI GOP leaders to push for ‘long term’ tax cuts

[Vos and LeMahieu] at a WisPolitics.com event … [pitched] “transformational tax changes in Wisconsin,” LeMahieu said. “We definitely need to drive down our top rates.” … something Evers reiterated last week he opposes. … Vos said he wanted to cut taxes “as much as we possibly can” and “it needs to be long term and permanent.” That includes eliminating [personal] property tax … [which] Evers last session vetoed … Vos and LeMahieu said they were open to increasing funding for K-12 public schools, if it’s paired with also expanding school choice programs. [which Evers doubts is possible. He opposes expanding choice]. … said they hoped to work better with Evers in his second term. … LeMahieu said working together … “can get some things done.” … Evers reached out to both lawmakers recently, and Vos said he spoke with the governor for about five minutes. “That was five minutes more than the past two years,” Vos said. … Vos said he hoped to reach some kind of agreement [on abortion ban exemptions] before the April 4 Wisconsin Supreme Court election so that race doesn’t become all about abortion [which favored Dems in Nov. election].

* Minority Leader Agard said a flat tax “would benefit the wealthy and well-connected” and Democrats will oppose it.* LeMahieu, after the event: “We’re going to do income tax cuts across the board to make sure everybody receives tax cuts in Wisconsin.” By Bauer, AP

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