New State Legislative Proposal Would See School Districts Comply with Competitive Bidding Requirements for Construction Projects

Friday, December 15th, 2023 -- 8:01 AM

(Corrinne Hess, Wisconsin Public Radio) School districts in Wisconsin would have to comply with competitive bidding requirements for construction projects costing more than $150,000 under a new legislative proposal.

According to Corrinne Hess with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin is one of only three states that allows a project of any size to be awarded on a no-bid basis, according to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Municipalities, meanwhile, have to seek a competitive bid for any project over $25,000. The same proposed legislation would increase that threshold for municipalities to $50,000.

During a public hearing Thursday before the Assembly Committee on Local Government, Chris Kulow, government relations director for the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, testified against the bill.

He argued that requiring a competitive bidding process would take away local control. Kulow said most school boards are already using competitive bidding. He said having to choose the lowest bidder could mean having to sacrifice the best quality.

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