OP-ED: This Public Schools Week, Urge Your Legislator to Pass Governor Evers’ Budget

As we celebrate Public Schools Week 2025 – an annual recognition of Wisconsin’s public schools and the students, teachers, parents, and staff that rank us among the best in education nationwide – it’s the perfect time to call on our state legislature to ensure our public schools are fully funded and our kids are safe in their classrooms.

On the same day that Governor Evers delivered his budget address last week, calling on our legislature to unite behind his plan to fully fund our public schools, Wisconsin held a primary election with over 90 referendums on the ballot from local school districts – many just to afford basic necessities

Republican lawmakers’ chronic under-funding Wisconsin’s schools year after year also led to a record number of school referendums in 2024, and local families having to increase their own property taxes to help the schools in their community keep the lights on. 

Our schools shouldn’t need to go to referendum just to stay in operation, especially when our state legislature has the opportunity to pass Governor Evers’ budget plan that would help stop that trend.

Another prominent issue this Public Schools Week that Governor Evers’ budget will address, if only the GOP controlled state legislature would work together to pass it, is safe drinking water in our local schools. 

Recent reporting shows that several public schools are at risk of closing due to lead contamination in the water, which is why Governor Evers has allocated $250,000 in his budget to replace water fountains in schools and reduce contaminates in our water supply. 

Local advocates, legislative Democrats, and Governor Evers are putting in the work to make Wisconsin a place where public schools are celebrated and supported. Now it’s time for Republicans in the legislature to get on board and deliver the tools that Wisconsin students and educators need to succeed, not just this week but year round.

This Public Schools Week and beyond, call your legislator at 1-800-362-9472 and demand they join the majority of their constituents in supporting fully funded public schools in Wisconsin where kids are safe, learning, and thriving.