Education

Public education in Wisconsin is a strength that should be prioritized. An educated and able workforce is critical to our state’s prosperity, and Wisconsin should be proud of its investments, which is 8.5% higher than the U.S. average and 14th highest in the nation.
 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Prioritized state aid for K-12 education: Even during a period of state budget shortfalls, state school aids have increased by over $1 billion since 1999-00 ($4.174 billion to $5.409 billion for 2008-09) – the largest growth of any budget item. School aids are nearly 44% of the state budget.

Help for rural school districts: Increased transportation aid and made adjustments to help schools with declining enrollment. $7.2 million in “sparsity aid” in 2007 Act 20. Served on 2005 State Superintendent’s Advisory Council on Rural Schools, Libraries, and Communities, a “groundbreaking advisory council” (DPI June 10, 2004) that helped initiate changes.

Invest in smaller class sizes: SAGE funding has helped reduce class sizes throughout Wisconsin to help student performance. After SAGE’s inception in 1996-97, 30 schools participated. Funding increases that Harsdorf supported in 2000-01 have now been expanded to $2,250 per pupil. About 475 schools now participate.

ACTION

First Class Education

• Prioritize two-thirds funding of K-12 schools in state budget to relieve property tax burden
• Invest in the classroom. SAGE flexibility can help reduce class sizes and “70% solution” establishes benchmarks so that at least 70 cents of every tax dollar invested in classroom instruction.
• Leverage technology to expand educational opportunities.
• Safe Schools: Enable schools to not hire felons.