Public Education Budget HQ
Every two years the legislature and Governor approve a new state budget that allocates money to the various state-level Departments, including the Department of Public Instruction, the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. Most of the funding that the DPI receives is allocated to school districts according to the funding formula and determines what districts can afford to do and how property taxes will be impacted locally.
For 16 consecutive years, Wisconsin kids have been given state budgets that have failed to keep pace with inflation. It’s time to end the cycle of inadequate funding and restore our commitment – and our constitutional obligation – to our children. Let’s close the special education funding gap, restore adequate state aid, and pass a budget that gives EVERY student in every public school equal opportunity to thrive. Budget action starts with you!
How the budget process works in Wisconsin
Every two years, the legislature and Governor approve a new state budget that allocates money to the various state-level Departments, including the Department of Public Instruction, the state agency that advances public education and libraries in Wisconsin. The State of Wisconsin's budget covers a 2-year period from July 1 of one odd-numbered year through June 30 of the next odd-numbered year. Most of the funding that the DPI receives is allocated to school districts according to the funding formula determined by the state. This dictates what districts can afford to do and how property taxes will be impacted locally.
Agency budget requests
Development of the biennial budget generally involves a year-long process. In the summer of even-numbered years, state agencies, including the Department of Public Instruction, meet with stakeholders and prepare their budget requests to submit to the Department of Administration in the fall.
View the DPI's 2025-27 Biennial Budget Request here.
Governor's budget
The Governor reviews requests complied by the State Budget Office, holds public listening sessions, and presents an executive budget to the legislature (usually in January). The Governor must deliver a budget message to the new legislature on or before the last Tuesday in January, although the legislature can extend the deadline at the Governor's request.
View the 2025-27 Executive Budget page here, which includes the Governor's budget message, budget in brief, and other budget documents. Education-specific highlights from the budget message can be found here.
Legislative review
The Committee on Joint Finance (JFC) holds public hearings around the state (usually in March and April) and collects public comment electronically before convening to approve or modify the Governor’s budget proposal. In past sessions, the JFC has rejected the Governor’s budget entirely and opted to draft their own budget using the prior year budget as a base.
Joint Finance presents their budget to both houses of the state legislature for modification and approval. All members of the legislature debate and vote on the budget bill.
Budget veto / signing
The legislature’s budget typically moves to the Governor in early June to be vetoed (in full or partially) and/or signed into law.
To meet the state's budgetary cycle, the budget should be signed and effective by July 1 of the odd-numbered year. If there is a delay, state agencies operate at their appropriation authority from the prior budget until the new budget is in effect. (Source: State of Wisconsin Department of Administration)
2025-27 budget priorities
Governor Evers has declared 2025 "Year of the Kid"
and we can start by passing a budget that meets their needs.
Wisconsin's state budgets have not provided public schools with an inflationary increase to state aid since 2009. A record number of districts are holding school referenda to make up the difference, but when our referenda fail, kids pay the price and gaps get wider.
It's time to close the gaps for Wisconsin kids and demand a budget!
What children need most
• At least a 60% SUM SUFFICIENT reimbursement for special education costs.
• A significant increase to both state aid and revenue limits to make up for 16 consecutive years of state aid that has not kept pace with inflation for public schools. It would take an increase of $3,380 per student, per year, to close the gap and catch up to inflation since 2009.
•Funding for the areas of greatest need: for English language learners, mental health supports, students in poverty, healthy school meals and nutrition, rural and low-revenue limit districts, early childhood and child care, pre-K , higher education, and attracting and retaining educators.
• Moratorium on siphoning public funds away from underfunded public schools through voucher and independent charter funds and NO new schemes like "decoupling" proposals that obscure costs and open the door for further expansion.
Why these priorities matter
• Special education funding: Closing this gap would transform outcomes and opportunities for all students statewide. The current reimbursement rate for public schools is 29%. The state must end funding discrimination by providing public school students the same 90% SUM SUFFICIENT reimbursement already provided to private school students who receive a “special needs” voucher.
• Districts need equitable, adequate, transparent, predictable, spendable, and fair state funding.
This means getting resources into classrooms by increasing spendable state funds by raising revenue limits and providing predictable adjustments for inflation. Further, funding must be aligned with the areas of priority needs as revealed in countless hearings.
• Transparency and Accountability: Wisconsin is not meeting its constitutional obligation to its public schools. Increasing funding to unaccountable schemes is reckless, irresponsible, and puts kids at risk. Our kids and our taxpayers deserve more accountability, not more privatization scams.
Get involved in the budget process
Budget action starts with you! Find our 2025-2027 Budget Action Toolkit here.
In the 2025-26 State Budget, we have a chance to significantly reduce the need for operating referendums going forward with one simple law change - closing the Special Education Funding Gap. Sign & share the petition to close the funding gap for Wisconsin students here! This petition calls for 90% reimbursement for Special Education.
Make a plan to share YOUR thoughts on the state budget and be a voice for Wisconsin students.
Joint Finance Committee public hearing schedule:
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025: Kaukauna
• Friday, April 4, 2025: West Allis
• Monday, April 28, 2025: Hayward
• Tuesday, April 29, 2025: Wausau
The Joint Finance Committee has created an online portal for constituents to provide input. All entries will be circulated to the full committee. This portal will close on April 30th at 5pm!
The JFC has also developed a dedicated email address for input only: budget.comments@legis.wisconsin.gov and all emails will be circulated to the full committee. Click here for our copy/pasteable list of all the members of the committee.
Whether it's coordinating a small gathering in your home or a local spot, or planning a budget action event where you live, as you meet and chat with members of your own community — caregivers, educators, fellow advocates, and more — be ready to explain what’s at stake for kids and public schools in the budget. Watch the video linked here for a fantastic example of local budget advocacy, a community art build event hosted by the South Milwaukee Education Association and the School District of South Milwaukee.
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Explore past budgets
Find budget documents and commentary from previous cycles.
2023-2025 budget
2021-2023 budget
Advocate for public schools
Funding fairness
Wisconsin students deserve thriving public schools that are fully and fairly funded. We know what Wisconsin kids need, and we know we can afford to meet those needs. The question is: why aren’t we doing it?
Privatization impacts
Wisconsin students deserve transparent, accountable schools that fully protect their rights and freedoms. Only public schools provide these protections. Privatization puts children and taxpayers at risk.
Vote public
Here’s what you need to know to make sure every vote counts for kids in upcoming elections. Learn about upcoming election dates, find essential voter resources, and more. #VotePublic
