Republicans pass more money for special education, but no increase in general aid for Wisconsin schools

MADISON, Wis. (CIVIC MEDIA) – Republican lawmakers moved forward with their proposal to fund Wisconsin schools in the next state budget Thursday night. 

Funding education was one of the hot-button issues between legislative Republicans and Governor Tony Evers. Both sides cite funding education, child care and the UW System as the reasons why negotiations broke down. 

Republicans’ plan increases school funding by about $330 million, with no increase in general aid for school districts. Instead, that money goes into special education and mental health programs. 

Thursday was set to be the first time Republicans would reveal their plans for school funding. They postponed their hearing a few times, eventually beginning after 6 p.m., when it was originally scheduled for 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon.

“The governor’s budget is always reckless spending that the state can’t afford,” said Sen. Mark Born, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “We’re choosing to make key investments and priorities, and these investments today will be some of the largest… they’ll be the largest investments you’ll see in the budget. I don’t think we’ll get to another agency where we’ll put that level of funding in. Because it is a priority, but you have to be able to afford it.” 

Special Education Costs Often Absorbed by Districts’ General Budgets

Statewide, about 15% of students have individualized education plans, meaning they have some sort of special needs. Right now, for every dollar spent on special education, the state only pays about 31 cents. That’s one of the lowest special ed reimbursement rates in the nation. 

The governor’s plan would’ve raised it to 60 cents. 

That’s what families were advocating for at the Capitol on Thursday. Democratic lawmakers joined families pushing for more special education funding ahead of the hearing. 

Annette Fournier’s daughter Maya is 13 years old. She has cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. They live in Kenosha. 

“I asked for her bus staff to be trained in seizure response, and I was told there’s no funding. Therefore Maya’s life is at risk for 45 minutes every morning and every afternoon, because the people close to her can’t keep her safe, because there’s no funding,” Fournier said. “She has the medicine on her wheelchair. If they were trained to use it, they could. But there’s no funding.” 

Republicans Passed Increase to Special Ed Funding, Tax Cuts

The proposal Republicans passed Thursday night would increase special ed reimbursement from about 31 cents on the dollar to 37.5 cents. It does not increase general aid for school districts.

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, it will increase reimbursement to 90% next year for kids with the highest level of needs. That’s 3% of students in Wisconsin public schools. 

Republicans on the Joint Finance Committee also finalized tax cuts by about $1.3 billion for Wisconsinites. Those cuts will apply to retirees, and folks in the second-lowest tax bracket. 

The proposal would need the governor’s signature.