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Contact Your Legislators: Finish the Job on Special Education Funding
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 20, 2026
Policymakers in Madison continue to negotiate how to allocate the state’s surplus. While it is encouraging that special education remains consistently included across proposals focused on tax relief, the work is not done. We continue to hear familiar and inaccurate arguments used to justify inaction.
Let’s be clear: It is simply not true that school districts are “gaming the system” by over-identifying students for special education. The math does not support that claim.
Since 2000:
- Special education costs in Wisconsin have increased by nearly $1 billion
- The state has provided only about $250 million in additional support
- That leaves schools covering roughly $750 million in unreimbursed, mandated costs
These are not optional services. Special education is required under both state and federal law, and districts must meet these obligations regardless of the level of state support. When the state falls short, local districts are forced to shift resources from general education or rely more heavily on property taxes.
The ask is simple:
Use a portion of the state’s $2.5 billion surplus to fulfill the shortfall of funding for special education and provide property tax relief to our communities.
Take Action Today:
Reach out to your legislators and urge them to:
- Support using surplus funds to meet at least the promised 42% and 45% reimbursement rates
- Provide certainty for school district budgets
- Reduce pressure on local property taxpayers
School districts are making staffing and programming decisions right now for the upcoming school year. Delays in action only make those decisions more difficult. If you need help crafting a message specific to your district, please don’t hesitate to reach out. To find your legislator’s contact information, please click here.
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