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:
- 82 school referendum scheduled for the April 4 ballot.
- 29 Referendum to issue debt ($674,915,000)
- 10 Referendum to exceed the cap on a recurring basis ($40,840,000)
- 43 Referendum to exceed the cap on a non-recurring basis ($432,911,000)
| 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 |
Topics: SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
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:
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- Tell your district’s story. Talk about your student population. Your legislators need to hear it.
- Encourage your legislators to stand up for the children you serve.
- 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.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
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:
- 10 am – 5 pm: Wednesday, April 5- Waukesha
Waukesha County Expo Center, Main Arena
1000 Northview Rd, Waukesha
- 10 am – 5 pm: Tuesday, April 11– Eau Claire
UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center
Ojibwe Grand Ballroom (Third Floor)
77 Roosevelt Ave., Eau Claire
- 10 am – 5 pm: Wednesday, April 12– Wisconsin Dells
Wilderness Resort, Glacier Canyon Conference Center
Sandstone Meeting Room
45 Hillman Road, Wisconsin Dells
- 10 am – 5 pm: Wednesday, April 26– Minocqua
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
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
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.
Topics: Legislative Action, SAA Capitol Reports, SAA Capitol Reports with Email Notifications, SAA Latest Update | No Comments »
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:
- $1 billion over the biennium through the state’s general equalization aid formula, the second largest proposed direct investment in state general aids since the 1995-97 biennium.
- A more than $1 billion increase in special education aid over the biennium, which would increase reimbursement rates to 60 percent in both years of the biennium.
- Granting districts a sizable increase in revenue-raising authority, with per pupil revenue limit increases of $350 in fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 and an additional $650 in FY 2024-25—the largest per pupil adjustments since revenue limits were imposed.
- A low revenue ceiling increase of $450 per pupil in FY 2023-24 and an additional $750 per pupil in FY 2024-25, increasing revenue limit equity among school districts.
- A combined increase of $1,000 per pupil over the biennium while keeping the estimated gross school levy increase below one percent on a statewide basis in both fiscal years.
- A per pupil aid investment of $46.5 million over the biennium, resulting in a $24 per pupil increase in FY 2023-24 and an additional $45 per pupil in FY 2024-25.
- Per pupil payment increases of $374 in FY 2023-24 and another $695 in FY 2024-25 for independent charter schools and schools participating in a parental choice or special needs scholarship program. These increases are commensurate with the increased spending power provided to public school districts through revenue limit adjustments and per pupil aid increases.
- Freeze enrollment in schools participating in a parental choice program for school year 2024-25 at year 2023-24 enrollments, allowing families continued access to private schools while affirming the state’s commitment to robust funding for Wisconsin’s excellent public schools.
Special Education:
- Providing a more than $1 billion investment in special education aid, reaching 60 percent in both years of the biennium and going beyond his fall proposal with a historic and critical investment of $491.4 million in FY 2023-24 and $521.7 million in FY 2024-25; and
- Investing $1.6 million in FY 2023-24 and $5.9 million in FY 2024-25 to increase high-cost special education reimbursements, increasing the reimbursement rate from around 30% today to 60 percent at the end of the biennium.
“Get Kids Ahead” Initiative:
- $117.9 million per year to continue the “Get Kids Ahead” initiative, providing per pupil payments instead of competitive grants;
- $18 million per year to reimburse schools for costs around an expanded list of school mental health professionals; and
- $580,000 per year for staff training on evidence-based strategies.
- Additionally, the governor’s investment will provide $3.6 million in FY 2023-24 and $7.3 million in FY 2024-25 to allow schools to receive Medicaid reimbursement for telehealth origination costs.
Increased Medicaid Support:
- Recommending modifying Medicaid school-based services to allow participating school districts to retain 100 percent of the federal funding received for those services as opposed to the 60 percent share they currently receive. This will result in school districts receiving an estimated additional $112 million of federal funding over the biennium.
Health Meals, Health Kids:
- Creating theHealthy Meals, Healthy Kids program, an initiative aimed at improving student health and reducing hunger by investing $120.2 million in FY 2024-25 to fully fund school breakfasts and lunches for all children;
- Providing $4.3 million in FY 2023-24 and $4.7 million in FY 2024-25 to increase the school breakfast reimbursement rate to 15 cents per meal and extending eligibility for the reimbursement to independent charter schools and state residential schools operated by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI); and
- Incentivizing schools to support Wisconsin farmers, food producers, and local economies by providing $2.75 million in FY 2024-25 for an enhanced 10 cents reimbursement per meal for those including locally sourced foods.
Literacy and Improving Reading Outcomes:
- $10 million per year to fund comprehensive training for 28 new coaches in literacy and 28 new professionals in early reading instruction practices, designed to focus on school reading instruction improvement and early childhood; and
- $4.9 million over the biennium to engage multiple stakeholders and strategies, including:
- $1.4 million for The Literacy Lab;
- $3 million for the Wisconsin Reading Corps; and
- $500,000 for Reach out and Read.
- This budget also provides $742,500 per year for Wisconsin Literacy to conduct adult literacy activities, including expert trainings, personalized consultations, and workforce connections.
Financial Literacy, Mathematics, and Computer Science:
- Introducing a new “Do the Math” personal finance initiative, allocating $2.5 million per year to help schools start or improve programs around financial literacy curriculum and innovative instruction practices; and
- Providing $10 million in FY 2024-25 to the Milwaukee Math Partnership, a collaboration among the Milwaukee Public Schools district, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Milwaukee Area Technical College focused on the implementation of mathematics curriculum and professional development for current and aspiring Milwaukee teachers.
- Funding a statewide computer science education coordinator through DPI, allocating $20,000 in FY 2024-25 for a computer science education task force, and providing $5 million annually for grants to school districts to access computer science curriculum, particularly around programming concepts and professional development; and
- Creating a statutory requirement that each Wisconsin high school provide at least one computer science course.
Supporting English Learners:
- $8.2 million in FY 2023-24 and $14.2 million in 2024-25 to increase reimbursement of costs for schools with higher concentrations of English Learners from 7.9 percent to 20 percent by the end of the biennium; and
- More than $25.9 million per year for a new Aid for English Language Acquisition program and $310,500 over the biennium to formalize the process for Wisconsin English learners to earn a Seal of Biliteracy and support districts that assist students in achieving this seal.
Teacher Workforce:
- $5 million in FY 2024-25 for grants to support “grow your own” educator programming, which may include providing current employees with funding to pursue additional higher education credits, licenses, or certifications, engaging with community organizations, and supporting student organizations with “future teacher” missions; and
- $9.4 million in FY 2024-25 to provide stipends to student teachers and interns, $2 million in FY 2024-25 to provide stipends to teachers who agree to train and oversee student teachers or interns, and $50,000 in FY 2024-25 for stipends to school library interns.
- Proposing to authorize state agencies and local units of government, including schools, to rehire a retired annuitant teacher under certain circumstances to address workforce recruitment and retention issues. This will make it easier to hire experienced educators and staff.
Supporting Tribal Partners:
- Proposes $24,100 in FY 2023-24 and $49,400 in FY 2024-25 to increase Wisconsin Grants for Tribal college students by 5 percent in the first year and another 5 percent in the second year.
- Invests $200,000 per year for a grant program administered by DPI to reimburse expenses incurred by school districts that choose to change race-based mascots and logos.
Additional Student Supports:
- Out-of-School Programming:provides supports for students before, during, and after school by investing $20 million in FY 2024-25 for out-of-school time grants, enhancing offerings from schools and communities to help kids avoid risky and dangerous behaviors, keep kids engaged in their coursework, and provide homework assistance. This budget also provides $2 million per year to Graduation Alliance, which works to reengage students at risk of not finishing high school.
- Driver’s Education: provides $6.5 million in FY 2024-25 to subsidize the cost of providing driver’s education to economically disadvantaged students. This provision was also announced as part of the governor’s initiatives to address reckless driving.
- Career and Postsecondary Opportunities:provides $500,000 in FY 2024-25 to pay General Education Development testing costs and increase high school equivalency attainment to open doors for employment and postsecondary opportunities. In addition, this budget provides $704,000 over the biennium to continue support for contract costs related to academic and career planning for pupils in grades 6-12.
- Prevent Opioid Overdoses:establishes a requirement that every school in Wisconsin have opioid antagonists, such as naloxone and naltrexone, on hand in the event of a suspected opioid drug overdose.
- Encouraging Family and Outdoor Engagement:provides $243,600 per year to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to provide fee waivers for annual admissions receipts to state parks for the families of fourth-grade students, aligning state parks with the national Every Kid Outdoors program.
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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:
- We’re going to invest $20 million to increase literacy-related programming and implement evidence-based reading practices across Wisconsin.
- I’m proposing a pathway to get experienced educators back into our workforce by making it easier for school districts to hire retired teachers and staff. And we’re going to invest over $20 million into recruiting, developing, and retaining teachers and student teachers, including $10 million for our local, homegrown educators, to bolster our educator pipeline and ensure it’s sustainable for the future.
- I’m announcing we’re going to make “Get Kids Ahead” a permanent state program, and we’re investing more than $270 million to ensure every student has access to mental health services.
Mental Health:
- Together with our “Get Kids Ahead” initiative investment, we’ll be making an overall investment of about $500 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health services for folks across our state.
- We’re going to invest in developing robust prevention strategies to reduce suicide, self-harm, and other mental and behavioral health-related injuries. And that includes state resources to support 988, the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Taxes:
- But I also want to be clear tonight: splurging $3.5 billion to hand out big breaks to the wealthiest 20 percent of earners isn’t responsible, folks; it’s reckless.
- When we deliver tax relief—and we will deliver tax relief—we’re going to do it responsibly by ensuring we can keep taxes low now and into the future, and we’ll do it without driving our state into debt or causing devastating cuts to priorities like public schools and public safety.
- Spending billions on a flat tax isn’t a workforce plan or an economic development plan.
Childcare:
- The first thing I’m going to do is deliver on my promise to expand the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which will provide nearly $30 million in tax relief to more than 100,000 Wisconsinites.
- Through our Partner Up! Program,…and…monthly Child Care Counts Program…These two programs made a big difference in the lives of kids and working families across Wisconsin. But the reality is that the federal funds that support them won’t last forever. So, we’ll be continuing these programs to keep childcare affordable and accessible in my budget. We’re going to provide more than $340 million for Child Care Counts so providers can have the financial stability they need to keep the lights on, pay their workers fair, competitive wages, and continue to provide high-quality care to kids across the state.
- We’ll also be investing more than $22 million into the Partner Up! program to expand partnerships between employers and childcare providers.
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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