The WI Association for Equity in Funding (AEF) today called upon elected representatives to finally end an era of vastly different funding levels for school districts across the state. In an Op-Ed published today by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, AEF recalled the long history of the “Revenue Limit” system. “School districts get funded on a per-pupil basis, but the amount of funding for students isn’t the same for each district. Instead, the funding per student is based on what the district spent in 1993!” Per-student funding levels have varied substantially for 3 decades.
In the 2023-2025 state budget the Legislature heard our call and made improvements. Nevertheless, one budget cycle simply didn’t erase decades of inequities. This year, while 255 “low revenue” school districts get $11,325/student, 22 districts get between $13,000 and $14,999 per student, and 15 districts will get a whopping $15,000 or more per student. Clearly, the system is better than it was, but there is more work to be done.
The Association for Equity in Funding is calling for another increase of the same amount as was included in the 2023-2025 state budget: $1325 in additional revenues for each student in the 255 low revenue districts. Our clarion call is this: “90% within 10%” meaning that if the budget follows this model, 90% of districts will be funded within 10% of each other on a per pupil revenue basis. State aid increases will be important to mitigate the tax impact of revenue increases in the low revenue districts.
The state budget continues to create winners and losers through the funding system. That’s not fair to students, not wise for our economy, and does not align with the Wisconsin Constitution which states, “The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of district schools, which shall be as nearly uniform as practicable” (emphasis added).
The Wisconsin Association for Equity in Funding (AEF) is a group of Wisconsin school districts that seeks financial equity in the state system of school financing. The members include urban districts such as Green Bay, Chippewa Falls and St. Francis, as well as rural districts like Antigo, Cornell, New Lisbon, and North Lake.
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