Over 80 Wisconsin School Districts Will Go to Referendum Next Month - But They Shouldn’t Have To

This Fall, 81 school districts across Wisconsin will go to referendum for a total of nearly $2 billion just to afford basic necessities and provide our kids with a state-of-the-art education.

Image related to Over 80 Wisconsin School Districts Will Go to Referendum Next Month – But They Shouldn’t Have To
Image related to Over 80 Wisconsin School Districts Will Go to Referendum Next Month – But They Shouldn’t Have To

MADISON, Wis. – This Fall, 81 school districts across Wisconsin will go to referendum for a total of nearly $2 billion just to afford basic necessities and provide our kids with a state-of-the-art education.

But Wisconsin public schools – which are ranked among the best in the nation academically – shouldn’t have to do that.

“Despite efforts from progressive advocates to increase school funding, Wisconsin districts are facing an uphill battle,” said Chris Walloch, executive director of A Better Wisconsin Together. “A battle that was built a decade ago when the conservative controlled state legislature made severe budget cuts to education, and have refused to make up for it in the years since.”

We’re still seeing that sentiment among conservatives today – with Tim Michels recently saying it would be the definition of insanity to fund public schools in the Badger State, and conservatives in the legislature slashing vital education funding from Wisconsin’s most recent biennial budget.

Instead of funding our schools, Michels has a radical plan to slash state support for schools and instead hike local property taxes by over $570 million.

“It’s clear that when our kids and teachers need it most, conservative politicians are choosing to look the other way,” Walloch said. “The definition of insanity is Wisconsin schools needing to go to referendum just to keep the lights on.”

You can call your legislator at 1-800-362-9472 or Tim Michels at 414-207-4464 to demand they support fully funded public schools in Wisconsin.

# # #

A Better Wisconsin Together is a state-based research and communications hub for progressives and is an affiliate of ProgressNow.

wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth slightly open
wisconsin republican tom tiffany talking with his mouth slightly open

This Tax Day, Wisconsinites Are Paying the Tom Tiffany Tax

While we pay higher costs because of the Tiffany tax, ironically he has a history of not paying any himself

Image related to WI GOP Finds Time for a Partisan Tantrum but Continues to Ignore Real Issues Facing Wisconsinites
Image related to WI GOP Finds Time for a Partisan Tantrum but Continues to Ignore Real Issues Facing Wisconsinites

WI GOP Finds Time for a Partisan Tantrum but Continues to Ignore Real Issues Facing Wisconsinites

Republican lawmakers finally found the time to come back to the Capitol today. But it’s not to help Wisconsinites.

person at a desk putting a coin into a piggy bank and paper cut out of a family
person at a desk putting a coin into a piggy bank and paper cut out of a family

ICYMI: Wisconsin Taxpayers, Public Schools, and Students Pay the Price for Republican Failure on School Funding in April 7 Elections

High quality education for our kids or lower property taxes isn’t a choice Wisconsinites should have to make