Even With Increases for Schools in State Budget, Not All Will Benefit

Thursday, July 6th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(By Corrinne Hess, Wisconsin Public Radio) The Wisconsin State Budget passed by the Legislature last week includes historic increases to districts across the state.

According to Corrinne Hess with Wisconsin Public Radio, the plan includes $534.3 million more in general school aid and allows schools to raise local taxes. But according to preliminary numbers released by the Department of Public Instruction, only about 60 percent of the state’s school districts will see an increase in general school aid funding in the 2023-24 school year.

General school aids are the largest form of state support for Wisconsin public schools, offsetting local property taxes under state-imposed revenue limits. Estimated general school aid for 2023-24 total $5.36 billion, a 3 percent increase from last year.

Of the state’s 421 school districts, 251 districts are estimated to receive more general aid than in 2022-23, while 164 districts, or 39 percent, are estimated to receive less. Current estimates are based on the budget passed by the state Legislature and pupil count data reported by school districts to DPI.

DPI calculates general school aids through a formula that uses property values in the district, enrollment and district spending. A district's general aids can increase or decrease due to changes in any of the local factors, as well as the difference in funds available from the state.

The state budget passed by the Legislature allows school districts to raise local taxes to spend an additional $325 per student in the next school year and another $325 in the following year. Per pupil general school aid will be paid in March 2024. Under current law, it will be paid at $742 per pupil.

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