Article Summary –
A lawsuit filed by Wisconsin students, parents, teachers, school districts, and unions against the state Legislature challenges the state’s public school funding system as inadequate and constitutionally insufficient, pointing to increased local taxpayer burdens and legislative revenue limits as exacerbating financial strains on districts. The lawsuit highlights a decline in state funding from 53.7% in 1999-2000 to 45% in 2023-24, with corresponding declines in student proficiency in reading and math, arguing that this funding model, along with caps on school district spending and prioritization of private school vouchers, has negatively impacted student performance. Despite resistance from Republican leaders, plaintiffs, represented by Law Forward and supported by the Wisconsin Education Association Council, emphasize the urgent need for legislative action to address funding disparities and support public education.
A coalition of Wisconsin students, parents, teachers, school districts, and unions has filed a lawsuit against the state Legislature over inadequate public school funding that they argue fails to meet constitutional standards.
Instead of seeking monetary damages, the lawsuit urges Eau Claire County Court to declare that the Legislature “has not met—and can no longer avoid—its constitutional duty” to properly fund public schools in Wisconsin, compelling lawmakers to act.
The complaint, filed last week, states that legislative funding has not kept up with educational costs, forcing local taxpayers to shoulder growing financial burdens.
Due to revenue caps, school districts frequently request voter-approved referendums for essential projects and operational costs like salaries. In 2024, 150 operational referendums were considered, a significant rise from the previous record in 2022, with dozens failing to pass.
Joshua Miller, a parent from Eau Claire Area School District, emphasized the critical need for funding at a press conference, stating, “Our schools are struggling to survive each year, and lawmakers are ignoring our appeals. Wisconsin’s school finance system is broken.”
The lawsuit highlights funding shifts since the 1999-2000 school year, where state contributions dropped from 53.7% to 45% by 2023-24, while federal funding rose due to temporary COVID-19 relief.
Law Forward and the Wisconsin Education Association Council represent the plaintiffs, including school districts like Beloit and Green Bay. The Wisconsin PTA leads this diverse coalition to showcase widespread issues.
Jeff Mandell, of Law Forward, noted public school aid is $2 billion below inflation-adjusted 2009 levels, citing the repeal of automatic inflation adjustments as part of the problem.
The lawsuit argues the funding shortfall affects student performance, with fourth-grade reading proficiency plummeting from 78% in 1999-2000 to 44.8% in 2022-23, and eighth-grade math from 42% to 30.5%.
It claims the Legislature prioritizes private school vouchers over public education, impacting student achievement, especially for high-need students.
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos called the lawsuit “a baseless attack by liberal activists” on the state’s school-voucher program, pledging a vigorous defense.
Shane McDonough, a Green Bay Area Public School District teacher and parent, observed how schools manage despite lacking resources, emphasizing the pressures faced.
Necedah Area School District Superintendent Tanya Kotlowski explained the district’s financial struggles, noting her salary freeze and additional roles to save costs as the district faces its third operational referendum in April.
“I’ve often waited in silence,” Kotlowski said. “But now requires courage and action driven by love and service.”
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