Governor Evers Acts on K-12 Proposals
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | April 6, 2026
The Governor has until April 9 to act on legislation sent to him at the close of the 2025-27 Regular Legislative Session. Last week, Governor Evers acted on dozens of bills. The Governor vetoed a slate of issues around transgender youth and a requirement that Wisconsin participate in the Federal “Scholarship Tax Credit” program. Later in the week, he signed three bills and vetoed four others. An additional 8 K-12-related proposals are awaiting the Governor’s action.
Bills Signed into Law
2025 Wisconsin Act 185 (SB-785)
This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction to maintain on the Department of Public Instruction’s website an online licensing portal that is searchable by the public at no cost. Under the bill, the portal must include information related to license holders who are investigated by DPI. Specifically, the portal must include for each license holder who is under investigation the name of the license holder and the outcome of the investigation, including if the investigation was terminated because the license holder voluntarily surrendered the license during the investigation. The portal must also include the name of each individual whose license is revoked by DPI. Under current law, DPI must post on its website the name of each license holder who is under investigation and the name of each individual whose license is revoked by DPI as a result of an investigation.
2025 Wisconsin Act 186 ( AB-1004)
This bill prohibits school boards, governing boards of charter schools, and governing bodies of private schools participating in a parental choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship Program (an education employer) from entering into any agreement that 1) has the effect of suppressing or destroying information related to immoral conduct by an employee, 2) affects the ability of the education employer or its employees to report immoral conduct, or 3) requires the education employer to expunge information about substantiated allegations or findings of immoral conduct from any documents maintained by the education employer. The bill also provides civil immunity to an education employer that, upon request from a prospective employer, provides information about the conduct of a current or past employee, including information about immoral conduct. The civil immunity provided in the bill is in addition to the civil immunity under current law for employment references. Under current law, an employer who provides a reference to a prospective employer is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil liability that may result from providing the reference.
2025 Wisconsin Act 189 (AB-530)
Assembly Bill 530 prohibits operating a drone over school property unless specific exceptions apply. These exceptions include:
- Authorization by the school authority: Operation is permitted with express approval from the school board or governing body with jurisdiction over the school, or their designee.
- Public safety purposes: Operation is allowed in the direction of the chief of a public protective services agency (such as law enforcement, tribal law enforcement, fire, or EMS) for purposes outlined in the bill.
Assembly Amendment 1 narrows the scope of the prohibition by specifying that it applies only when:
- The school is open to pupils for instruction, or
- The property is being used for a school-authorized event.
The amendment also:
- Requires school authorities to respond to drone operation requests within five business days.
Clarifies that the public safety exception may be authorized by either the sheriff or the chief of a public protective services agency, as applicable.
On March 2, the Governor signed a bill that allows school districts to record both video and audio inside school buses. State law previously allowed cameras in school buses, but the rules for recording audio were unclear. Act 160 allows these devices to be installed, provided the school board adopts a policy authorizing their usage. Upon the adoption of these policies, school boards must provide a notice to pupils and parents/guardians and clearly post this policy on the school bus. Any recordings captured by the devices must remain confidential and may be used only by school officials and law enforcement personnel for investigations, school disciplinary actions, and criminal prosecutions related to events occurring on or near the school bus. The new law applies to charter, private, and tribal schools.
Bills Vetoed
SB-389: Repealing the 400-Year Veto. Veto Message
SB-699: Alternative methods of providing pupil transportation services. Veto Message
AB-460: Pupil eligibility for parental choice programs based upon participation by a sibling or a dependent child of the pupil’s parent or guardian. Veto Message
AB-582: Dual enrollment programs, creating the Council on Dual Enrollment, and transfer of postsecondary course credits. Veto Message
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Capitol Update 3-25-26
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 25, 2026
Surplus Negotiations
The Legislature has adjourned its regular session for the year, meaning its primary remaining task is determining how to allocate the state surplus or return it to taxpayers. It remains unclear when lawmakers will return to take up any agreement that may be reached.
“Affordability” is a central theme heading into the midterm elections, and much of the discussion has centered on property tax relief and individual tax relief. Legislative leaders and Governor Evers remain engaged in negotiations over both the amount of the surplus to be allocated and the mechanisms that would be used to deliver relief. At this point, outside of tax relief, fulfilling the state’s commitment to the special education reimbursement from the last budget appears to be the only major spending item gaining traction on both sides of the negotiating table.
With no deadline for lawmakers to return, school and district leaders should continue emphasizing to policymakers the need to fill the gap in special education funding and provide meaningful property tax relief. If you need assistance crafting correspondence to your legislators, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Legislative Leadership Retirements
The close of the 2025-27 regular legislative session also brought major retirement announcements from legislative leadership. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos announced on the final regular floor day that he will not seek reelection. He has been the longest-serving statehouse speaker in the country. In the Senate, Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu also announced his retirement shortly after what was widely viewed as a tumultuous final day of session. Other legislators who have announced they will not seek reelection include: Senators Nass, Hutton, and Wanggaard, and Representatives Petersen and Tittl.
End of the 2025–27 Legislative Session
The Senate concluded its final regular floor session last week. A handful of K-12-related bills advanced out of that house and are now headed to the Governor for consideration. The bills highlighted below are those most likely to be signed into law, though a few other proposals with bipartisan support still face an uncertain path forward. Other bills, including the bell-to-bell cellphone prohibition and most instructional mandate proposals, were not taken up by the Senate and therefore will not advance this session.
As bills are signed into law, additional updates will be provided, along with a more comprehensive end-of-session summary that members can use as a reference. If you have questions about these or any other proposals, please reach out.
AB 1004: Prohibiting education employers from entering into certain agreements related to information about alleged immoral conduct by an employee and civil immunity for information provided to a prospective employer.
This bill prohibits school boards, governing boards of charter schools, and governing bodies of private schools participating in a parental choice program or the Special Needs Scholarship Program (an education employer) from entering into any agreement that 1) has the effect of suppressing or destroying information related to immoral conduct by an employee, 2) affects the ability of the education employer or its employees to report immoral conduct, or 3) requires the education employer to expunge information about substantiated allegations or findings of immoral conduct from any documents maintained by the education employer. The bill also provides civil immunity to an educational employer that, upon request from a prospective employer, provides information about the conduct of a current or past employee, including information about immoral conduct. The civil immunity provided in the bill is in addition to the civil immunity under current law for employment references. Under current law, an employer who provides a reference to a prospective employer is presumed to be acting in good faith and is immune from civil liability that may result from providing the reference.
AB 530: Operation of drones over school property and providing a penalty
Current law prohibits the operation of a drone over a correctional institution without the express authorization of the Secretary of Corrections for a state facility or of the sheriff of the county for a county facility. A person who violates this prohibition is subject to a forfeiture of up to $5,000.
This bill prohibits the operation of a drone over a property owned by a public, private, or tribal school or on which a public, private, or tribal school is located with the following exceptions: 1) with the express authorization of the school board, governing body, or governing board with jurisdiction over the school; and 2) for limited purposes at the direction of the chief of a public protective services agency with jurisdiction over the territory on which the school property is located. The penalty for a violation of this prohibition is the same as for a violation of the restriction on operating a drone over a correctional institution.
AB 98: Pupils wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event.
Wisconsin law contains some general protections for a pupil’s religious beliefs, ancestry, creed, race, and national origin. Specifically, schools must provide for the reasonable accommodation of a pupil’s sincerely held religious beliefs with regard to all examinations and other academic requirements. Additionally, no student may be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil services, recreational, or other program or activity because of race, religion, national origin, ancestry or creed. However, current law does not explicitly address an American Indian student’s right to wear traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event.
This bill provides that school boards and charter schools may not prohibit a pupil who is a member of, a descendent of a member of, or eligible to be enrolled in, a federally recognized, whether currently or in the past, American Indian tribe or band from wearing traditional tribal regalia at a graduation ceremony or school-sponsored event. The bill defines “traditional tribal regalia” as a tribe’s traditional dress or recognized objects of religious or cultural significance, including tribal symbols, beads, and feathers.
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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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Capitol Update 3-5-26
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | March 5, 2026
Good afternoon,
As the legislative session winds down, I wanted to provide a brief update from Madison.
There is no new update on the ongoing surplus negotiations between the Governor and legislative leaders. When discussions last paused, each version of the proposed framework included $200 million to address the special education reimbursement shortfall, which would help districts reach the 42% and 45% reimbursement commitments made in the state budget. The primary issue lawmakers continue to work through is how best to structure property tax relief and whether there will be agreement on providing an individual tax rebate as part of any final deal.
Separately, the Joint Committee on Finance released a portion of the operating funds previously withheld from the Department of Public Instruction. This action restores approximately $1,750,000 in funding to the agency, helping DPI avoid potential operational reductions.
As you know, the Wisconsin State Assembly has concluded its regular floor period for the 2025–26 legislative session. As a result, any legislation that has not already passed the Assembly is effectively finished for the session, though proposals could be reintroduced in a future legislative cycle.
The Senate has indicated it plans to conclude its regular floor session by March 17. It remains unclear how many additional session days senators will schedule before then. Several large policy proposals unrelated to education could still be debated. One proposal impacting schools that appears to be gaining momentum is legislation establishing a mandatory “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban in public schools.
School leaders may wish to keep the following considerations in mind as discussions continue. If you have concerns, you may wish to share your perspective with your state Senator (Find Your Legislator).
Local control. Wisconsin’s 421 school districts operate in very different local contexts. While some districts have adopted or are considering bell-to-bell bans, others maintain policies that allow limited flexibility at the secondary level. Current law already allows local school boards to adopt stricter policies, including full-day bans, if they determine that approach best fits their community.
Implementation Timeline. This legislation is being considered during the same legislative session in which 2025 Act 42 was enacted. That law, which takes effect July 1, requires school districts to prohibit wireless communication devices during instructional time while allowing districts flexibility in how policies are structured. Districts must also report their policies to the Department of Public Instruction by October 1, which will provide policymakers with additional information on how these policies are working across the state.
Potential Implementation Costs. Some districts that have implemented or are considering bell-to-bell policies have utilized locked phone pouches or other technology systems to assist with enforcement. These approaches can create additional local costs, and some legislators have acknowledged that implementation may have financial implications for school districts.
SAA will continue to monitor activity at the Capitol and will keep members informed of any developments that may impact schools. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
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Update: School Finance Lawsuit and Ongoing Surplus Discussions
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | February 26, 2026
Dear Members,
This week brought a notable development in Wisconsin’s ongoing conversation about public school funding. On Tuesday, a lawsuit was filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court challenging the constitutionality of the state’s current school finance system.
The lawsuit asks the court to hold the Legislature accountable for meeting its constitutional responsibility to adequately fund public education, with the stated goal of ensuring that every Wisconsin student has an equal opportunity for an education.
The case, Wisconsin PTA, et al. v. Wisconsin Assembly, was filed by the Wisconsin PTA and Wisconsin Public Education Network, along with five school districts: Adams-Friendship, Beloit, Eau Claire, Green Bay, and Necedah. Additional plaintiffs include local education unions in four of those districts, as well as parents, teachers, students, taxpayers, and other community members from the affected communities. The plaintiffs are represented by Law Forward and the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
Named as defendants are the Wisconsin State Assembly, the Wisconsin State Senate, legislative leadership (including the Assembly Speaker, Senate President, and Senate Majority Leader), the Joint Finance Committee, and each member of the Joint Finance Committee.
The lawsuit requests the following claims for relief:
- This Court should declare that the Wisconsin public school finance system, and amounts appropriated for state aid, are inadequate because the Legislature has failed to meet its constitutional obligations to Wisconsin students under article X, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
- This Court should declare that the Wisconsin public school finance system, and the amount of state funding provided, does not support programming that is as uniform as practicable because the Legislature has failed to meet its constitutional obligations to Wisconsin students under article X, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
- This Court should declare that the Wisconsin public school finance program is inadequate because it does not account for student needs, caused by the Legislature’s failure to meet its constitutional obligations to all Wisconsin students under article X, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
- This Court should declare that the Wisconsin public school finance system is inadequate because it does not sufficiently fund special education, caused by the Legislature’s failure to meet its constitutional obligations to Wisconsin students under article X, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
- This Court should declare that the Wisconsin public school finance system is inadequate because it does not account for high need students and violates equal protection under article I, section 1 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
- This Court should declare that the Legislature’s inadequate state funding for public schools impermissibly deviates from first principles and violates the guarantee under article I, section 22, enjoyed by all Plaintiffs, that the State will maintain a free government.
The suit then asks that the Court:
- Declare that Wisconsin’s current school finance system violates Wisconsin Constitution article X, section 3, such that the school finance system is invalid;
- Declare that Wisconsin’s current school finance system violates Wisconsin Constitution article I, section 1, such that the school finance system is invalid;
- Declare that Wisconsin’s current school finance system violates Wisconsin Constitution article 1, section 22, such that the school finance system is invalid;
- Establish a schedule that will enable the Court—in the absence of a superseding state law, adopted by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in a timely fashion—to adopt and implement a new school finance system that meets all relevant state constitutional guarantees;
- Award Plaintiffs costs, disbursements, and reasonable fees incurred in bringing this action, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.01; and
- Grant such other relief as the Court deems proper.
The defendants have 45 days to respond to the complaint. A link to the full filing is available here.
This litigation is expected to unfold over an extended period of time. While the timeline and outcome remain uncertain, I will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as appropriate.
Surplus Negotiations
Although the State Assembly has adjourned its regular floor session for the year, Speaker Vos has publicly stated that the Legislature could return in a special or an extraordinary session to address the state’s projected surplus once negotiations with the Governor reach an agreement. Those conversations are ongoing.
Where negotiations last stood, legislative leadership had offered a package that included:
- $200 million to meet the commitment to special education categorical aid reimbursement targets of 42% and 45%
- Approximately $500 million for the School Levy Tax Credit to support property tax relief
- $1.4 billion in an individual income tax rebate
For school leaders, the most immediate and impactful opportunity remains ensuring that any final surplus agreement honors the state’s special education funding commitments and meaningfully addresses local property tax pressure. Continued engagement and advocacy during this narrow window are critical.
We will continue to monitor both the legal developments and the surplus negotiations closely and will keep you informed as new information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued advocacy on behalf of Wisconsin’s students and public schools.
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