Event at the Kress Pavilion on September 16, 2025

Anne Chapman from the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials gave a presentation to the audience. Gibraltar Superintendent Brett Stousland and Sturgeon Bay Superintendent Dan Tjernagel provided additional information, context, and examples about what some of the information from Ann Chapman’s presentation actually looks like in practice here in Door County. Special thanks go to Indivisible and Northern Door Activism for putting together the event.

Legislative Fiscal Bureau K-12 Funding Increases in the 2025-27 Biennium

This August 1, 2025 one-page memo summarizes K-12 funding increases for both years of the State budget, and breaks the revenue down into two primary buckets: one provided through aid from the State and one provided by local property taxpayers.

To help the reader in understanding the memo and accompanying table, of the $1.37 billion of "spendable revenue for schools”, $760 million of it, 55.3% of the total, will come from local taxpayers through local tax levy effort (note: if every school board levies the full amount allowed under this budget, not accounting for referenda).

Estimated Effects of K-12 Funding Provisions for School Districts in the 2025-27 Biennium

This July 30, 2025 memo to members of the Wisconsin legislature estimates the effects of the K-12 funding provisions for school districts in the 2025-2027 biennium. The following topics are addressed:

• Revenue Limit Per Pupil Adjustment
• Special Education Aid
• High cost Special Education Aid
• School-based Mental Health Services Grants
• Dollar estimates for both years of the biennium for the four topics listed above are listed for every district in Wisconsin in the attachment.

Wisconsin Education Spending Falls Further Behind National Average

Since 2002, when adjusted for inflation Wisconsin preK-12 education spending per pupil has increased 2.4%, while the national average has increased 21.1%. The impact of the revenue limit freeze that was part of the Wisconsin 2021-23 State budget is among other issues discussed in the report.

Information from Research Director Anne Chapman (Public October 10, 2025): Fiscal impacts of the 2025-27 state budget for school districts

This information addresses a variety of topics related to school funding the State budget, including how an increase in spendable resources for K-12 schools statewide are not new state aids, but rather support from local property taxpayers.  Governor Evers’ line-item veto, revenue limit authority, special education funding boost, local factors, the decision to freeze general school aids, and more are addressed.

Summary of Change in 2025 Act 15 (2025-27 Biennial Budget)

This resource summarizes information starting with Revenue Limits and General Aids, as well as Categorical School Aids, then goes into topics such as Support for Early Literacy, Funding for Independent Charter School, Private School Choice, Special Needs Scholarship Program, & Full-time Open Enrollment.  

The resource also mentions programs that are administered by other agencies, as well as the Governor’s partial vetoes. 

Tracking Federal Funding: The Effect on Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

This resource shares information about federal funding in Wisconsin.  While there are not major cuts for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, cuts are anticipated at this time for 2026-2027.

2025-26 July 1 Estimate - General Aid | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Wisconsin sends out general aid estimates around July 1, and then certifies what the actual general aid will be on or about October 15. After the general school aid certification occurs in October, then a district can formally approve the budget for the fiscal year (even though we are almost four months into the fiscal year) and set the tax levy for the upcoming calendar year.

Wisconsin at a Glance | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

This resource provides a summary of the number of school districts and libraries in the state, as well as student demographic data, and more.

August 15, 2025 Politifact Wisconsin Fact Check Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article

October 17, 2025 Wisconsin Examiner Article