Friday, November 13, 2026.
Contact: Heather DuBois Bourenane | 608 572-1696 | hdb@WisconsinNetwork.org

For immediate release. View this release online here.

Statements in response to 2027-2029 budget proposal from the Department of Public Instruction: 

“DPI’s budget proposal takes a serious step toward addressing the root of the problem with Wisconsin’s unfair and inadequate funding formula by prioritizing the priority needs of our students, addressing honestly the real costs it takes to meet those needs, and getting rid of gap-widening gimmicks that have led to decades of underfunding for our public schools and a relentless cycle of funding by referendum. 

Wisconsin voters signaled last week that it’s time for Wisconsin to catch up to the rest of the nation and stop playing politics with school budgets while our kids and local taxpayers pay the price. Dr. Underly and her team at DPI have taken great care to show us a way. We call on our state leaders to show us the will.”

• Heather DuBois Bourenane, Executive Director, Wisconsin Public Education Network

“Thanks go to the Wisconsin DPI for highlighting the plight of public schools.  They have set out a road map, based on evidence, research, and previous Wisconsin studies to meet the needs of students.  We would hope for immediate relief for communities beleaguered by local referenda and students whose needs are not  currently being met.”

• Dr. Julie Underwood, Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools treasurer and Dean Emerita, School of Education at University of Wisconsin-Madison