The Wisconsin Joint Finance Committee approved a Republican-backed education funding increase of $336.1 million last week, setting up another potential confrontation with Democratic Governor Tony Evers who had originally requested $3.3 billion in additional K-12 education spending.
During a marathon session that stretched into the early morning hours, the Republican-controlled committee voted 12-4 along party lines to advance their education funding package. “This responsible funding increase balances the needs of our students while respecting Wisconsin taxpayers,” said Senator Howard Marklein, co-chair of the committee.
The approved funding represents roughly 10% of what Governor Evers sought in his budget proposal unveiled earlier this year. Education advocates quickly noted the gap between the two proposals reflects fundamentally different visions for addressing Wisconsin’s educational challenges.
According to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction data, the state’s public schools have faced increasing financial pressure since the pandemic. Teacher vacancies have risen 17% over the past three years, with rural districts particularly struggling to retain qualified educators. State Superintendent Jill Underly had publicly supported the governor’s original proposal, calling it “an essential investment in Wisconsin’s future.”
Republican lawmakers defended their more modest increase, pointing to declining enrollment in many districts and existing federal relief funds still available to schools. “Districts received unprecedented federal pandemic aid. Before asking Wisconsin families for more, schools need to demonstrate efficient use of existing resources,” Representative Mark Born stated during floor debate.
The funding package includes $200 million for general school aids, $70 million for special education reimbursement, and $66.1 million for various targeted programs including mental health services and reading initiatives. Notably absent was Evers’ proposed expansion of free school meals and significant investments in school infrastructure.
Education policy expert Heather DuBois Bourenane from the Wisconsin Public Education Network expressed disappointment with the committee’s decision. “Wisconsin schools are at a breaking point. This modest increase won’t address fundamental challenges like crumbling facilities, teacher shortages, and rising mental health needs among students,” she told me in a phone interview yesterday.
The gap between GOP lawmakers and the governor extends beyond dollar amounts to philosophical differences about education funding mechanisms. Evers has consistently pushed for greater equity in school funding, while Republican legislators have emphasized parental choice and accountability measures.
State data reveals Wisconsin’s education funding has not kept pace with inflation since 2011 Act 10 reforms, with districts increasingly relying on local referendums to maintain basic operations. Last year alone, voters approved over $1.8 billion in school referendums across the state, highlighting the funding pressures many communities face.
The Wisconsin Association of School Boards released a statement expressing concern that the approved funding “falls short of addressing the real financial challenges facing public education.” Their analysis indicates that without additional state support, approximately 60% of Wisconsin districts may face budget cuts in the coming academic year.
Governor Evers hasn’t officially responded to the committee’s action, but his spokesperson Katherine Thompson issued a statement calling the Republican plan “woefully inadequate” and suggesting the governor would consider all options, including possible veto measures. The full legislature must still approve the committee’s recommendations before the budget advances to the governor’s desk.
Political observers note this represents the third consecutive budget cycle where education funding has emerged as a flashpoint between the Democratic governor and Republican-controlled legislature. In previous budgets, Evers used his partial veto authority to reshape education allocations, though his options may be more limited this time given the specific structure of the funding package.
The Wisconsin Education Association Council, representing thousands of educators statewide, has launched a public awareness campaign highlighting classroom impacts of limited funding. “Teachers are buying basic supplies out of their own pockets while the state sits on a historic surplus,” said WEAC President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen. “Our students deserve better.”
As the budget moves toward final approval next month, both sides appear prepared for continued negotiation. Whether compromise is possible remains uncertain in Wisconsin’s divided government. What’s clear is that the decisions made in Madison will directly impact classroom resources and educational opportunities for over 850,000 public school students across the state.
