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Legislative Update: Senate Final Session Day & State Surplus Negotiations
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 10, 2026
Good afternoon,
The Senate has indicated it intends to meet one final day this legislative session on March 17. At this time, it appears likely that legislation requiring a mandatory “bell-to-bell” ban on wireless communication devices will be taken up and could advance to the Governor’s desk.
Wireless Communication Device Policy
A few important points to keep in mind as this proposal moves forward:
- Act 42, which addresses student wireless communication device use, was signed into law in the fall of 2025. Under that law, every school board must submit its wireless device policy to DPI by October 1, 2026. This reporting requirement will provide policymakers and school leaders with a clearer picture of the range of policies currently in place across Wisconsin schools, which understandably vary based on local priorities, school culture, and student age levels.
- If the Legislature moves forward with a statewide bell-to-bell mandate, implementation would likely occur before the next state budget is signed into law. That means any costs associated with enforcement would fall directly on school districts.
- For some districts, effective implementation could require technology upgrades or products such as locking pouches or other storage systems, all without state support for what would be another mandated requirement.
- Importantly, nothing in current law prevents a district from adopting a bell-to-bell ban today if that is the decision of the locally elected school board and school leadership team.
While the bill appears likely to advance, there is still time to contact your Senator. You can find your Senator and their contact information here. If you choose to reach out, it may be helpful to briefly explain:
- What is your current wireless device policy?
- Why it reflects the needs of your students and community
- Why decisions about device use and the costs associated with enforcing those policies may be best determined locally and sometimes by age level
State Surplus: “Deal or No Deal?”
In other news, there is still no agreement on how the state’s increased projected surplus will be spent. Policymakers have largely been unavailable to meet this week, but discussions are expected to resume soon.
It remains important that we continue focusing on the Special Education funding shortfall that districts are experiencing. School leaders advocating for students have helped elevate this issue so that it is now prominently featured in discussions on all sides of a potential compromise, and we cannot let up now.
Key points regarding Special Education funding:
- The estimated cost to fulfill the Special Education funding commitment is approximately $200 million, just a fraction of the state’s projected surplus.
- The Legislature committed in the last state budget to increase reimbursement to 42% and 45%, but the current sum-certain appropriation means districts are projected to receive less.
- Moving to a sum-sufficient funding approach would ensure districts receive the reimbursement level that was promised.
- Ensuring districts receive the reimbursement they were promised will help school communities maintain services for students with disabilities without shifting those costs onto local taxpayers.
- Nothing is final yet. School leaders should continue advocating and communicating the urgency of this issue, as districts are currently making budget and staffing decisions for next year and need certainty around the promised special education reimbursement rate. Legislators should be urged to act.
As always, we will continue to monitor developments and share updates as they occur. A final “Pass/Fail” list of this session’s legislation will be distributed after the Senate completes its’ work on March 17th , if you have questions in the meantime, please let me know.
Thank you for your continued advocacy for Wisconsin’s students and school communities.
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