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Spring Elections & Claims v. Realities on School Funding
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 9, 2026
Voters across Wisconsin went to the ballot box on Tuesday. While the election resulted in a decisive win for Justice-elect Taylor, school referendum outcomes were more mixed, with a passage rate of approximately 60%. That marks a decline from recent cycles and is likely due, at least in part, to property tax increases tied to policy decisions made in Madison during the last state budget. You can view a full list of referendum results here or visit the DPI website for a more detailed breakdown.
At the same time, as surplus negotiations continue, there appears to be a coordinated effort by groups that traditionally align with conservative positions to scrutinize how K-12 dollars are spent. These claims often lack important context and risk pitting communities against their local schools, without fully acknowledging the realities facing students, educators, and districts across the state. Recently, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) published an op-ed titled “Property taxes are high, but how are school districts actually spending your money?” that makes several claims about school district spending without important context.
If this op-ed appears in your local paper, here are a few simple talking points to help respond. As always, the most effective message is grounded in your district’s local data and experience.
While school districts across Wisconsin value their strong partnerships with local employers and industry, the tone of this piece from the state’s largest business lobbying organization overlooks a fundamental reality: the long-term success of Wisconsin’s economy depends on the students we are preparing today.
Claim vs. Reality: Property Taxes & School Funding
Claim: The “400-year veto” is causing property tax increases
Reality: Property taxes are driven by multiple factors, not a single veto.
- The veto preserved $325 per-pupil revenue limit authority, but:
- It did NOT increase state general aid alongside it
- Historically, when revenue limits increased, the state offset property taxes with more general aid
- In the most recent budget:
- Revenue limits increased
- General aid did NOT increase proportionally
Claim: Schools are fully funded at record levels
Reality: “Record funding” ignores inflation and rising costs. Per-pupil funding is higher than in 2000. Education costs have outpaced inflation, schools face major cost drivers:
- Special education (mandated, underfunded)
- Health insurance, transportation, utilities
- Property and cybersecurity Insurance
- Technology and School Safety needs have risen since 2000
Claim: Schools are bloated with administrators and non-teaching staff
Reality: Many factors drive staffing changes:
What’s driving staffing changes:
- Special education needs that requires more aides, therapists, specialists
- Mental health and behavioral support
- Safety and compliance requirements
- Increased reporting, legal, and parent communication demands
- Many “non-teaching staff” are direct student supports.
Claim: Declining enrollment should mean lower costs
Reality: School costs don’t decline proportionally with enrollment.
- Schools have fixed costs:
- Buildings, transportation routes, staffing minimums
- Fewer students does not equal proportionally lower costs
- Student needs are becoming more complex and costly
Claim: Property taxes are high because schools overspend
Reality: Property taxes rise when state funding doesn’t keep pace.
- When the state:
- Underfunds mandates (especially special education)
- Does not increase general aid
- Districts must:
- Shift costs to local property taxes
- Or go to a referendum
Claim: The UW charges less tuition than the average K-12 per pupil spending, so it should be more than enough
Reality: This is a misleading comparison.
- That figure includes all costs, not just classroom instruction.
- Comparing K-12 to college tuition is flawed:
- K-12 is universal, mandated, and comprehensive
- Schools must serve all students, including high-cost needs
- Only about 20% of the UW budget comes from tuition and fees
- Policymakers have frozen UW tuition increases, pushing costs to other areas, like non-resident tuition increases
Key takeaways:
- Schools aren’t overspending, they’re covering mandated costs the state doesn’t fully fund.
- Special education alone forces districts to transfer millions from general funds, driving local tax pressure.
- Comparing K-12 funding to college tuition ignores the full scope of services schools must provide.
- What’s labeled ‘bureaucracy’ is often direct support for students: mental health, special education, and safety.
- In 2000, Wisconsin ranked 3rd highest for overall tax; in 2023, Wisconsin ranked 34th.
- In 2000, Wisconsin ranked 8th on K-12 spending as a percentage of personal income; in 2024, Wisconsin ranked 34th.
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