Thriving public schools require funding fairness
Wisconsin students deserve thriving public schools that are fully and fairly funded. Our state constitution requires us to provide an education that is as “uniform as practicable” in every public school. This means equitably matching our funding to our students’ needs, something the state has failed to deliver.
The good news is: we can fix this. 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?
Funding inadequacy
Wisconsin is not providing adequate funding to meet the needs of all of our students. While both needs and costs have increased greatly, when adjusted for inflation, state funding for public schools remains below 2009 levels of spending.
Priority needs unmet
Wisconsin dramatically under-funds the areas where student needs are greatest: in addressing student mental health, and providing funding for students with disabilities, students in poverty, and students who are English language learners.
2023-2024 Wisconsin Public Education Funding Basics
How public school funding works in Wisconsin
While fair and adequate school funding systems are weighted based on student needs, Wisconsin's system is not. Wisconsin kids deserve a fair playing field, but they don’t have one under our current funding system.
Learn more: School Funding Basics with Dr. Julie Underwood
• School Funding 101 (Sept. 2022) video
• School Funding 102 (Feb. 2021) video
Local funding
The primary source of funding for Wisconsin schools comes from local property taxes, which are levied by school districts. School districts in Wisconsin are subject to revenue limits, which are caps on the amount of money they can spend. Districts can ask voters to approve referenda to raise the revenue limit by increasing local property taxes, allowing them to spend more on operations.
State funding
The state provides general school aid to districts, which is distributed through a formula that considers factors like property wealth, enrollment, and district spending. In addition to general aid, the state also provides categorical aids for specific purposes, such as special education or transportation. The state reimburses school districts for a portion of their special education costs, with the remaining costs covered by local budgets.
Federal aid
Wisconsin public schools receive federal funds through various programs and grants, including direct aid from the Department of Education and funding for school meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Local non-tax revenues
Other local non-property tax revenues include such things as fees, interest earnings, and charitable contributions.
Impacts of district revenue limits
In Wisconsin, school districts are restricted by unequal and widely varying spending caps imposed by by the state, called "revenue limits." Districts cannot exceed these arbitrary and outdated spending limits, creating significant disparities in spending across the state. Revenue limits restrict the total amount of money public school districts can spend on students, regardless of whether the amount is adequate to meet the needs of local students. To meet those needs and spend more, local voters must approve exceeding these revenue limits through school referenda.
Unequal spending cap
Revenue limits create significant disparities between districts, with some allowed to spend nearly twice as much as others, leading to a system of "haves and have-nots" across the state.
Cumulative underfunding
Wisconsin’s preK-12 funding has been underfunded relative to inflation for 16 years, compounding the gap each year and leaving schools further behind in meeting students’ needs. General school district revenues lag inflation by $3,380 per pupil since 2009.
Reliance on referenda
Record numbers of school districts are turning to operating referenda to increase their spending authority. This approach only provides temporary relief and doesn't address the systemic inequities. It also widens the gaps and deepens existing inequities across districts.
Special education gaps
Wisconsin’s 29% reimbursement rate for special education forces local districts, especially high-poverty ones, to cover the remaining 71% of costs with general funds, straining resources and increasing inequities.
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Use these additional funding resources to learn more
Learn more about revenue limits and the unequal school funding system facing our schools by browsing the resources below.
Understand biennial Budgets
Public education budget
Visit our Budget Headquarters to learn about the biennial state budget: how the state budget process works, what it all means for kids, and how to take action where you live.
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
Referenda
Learn more about why so many schools in Wisconsin are going to referenda and find resources for local advocacy teams about how you can spearhead and support referenda efforts in your community.
