MADISON, WI (WRN) – The state’s large school districts tell the legislature’s Republican led budget committee that they have halted some planning, due to potential loss of of more than two billion dollars in federal aid.
Senator Jon Erpenbach is a Democrat on the Joint Finance Committee
“There is more money on the table right now than I have ever seen before. And as it stands with all of that money right now . . . that could be in this budget, Republicans aren’t doing squat about making K-12 whole, and making sure they don’t lose that two-point-three billion dollars.”
District Superintendents in Green Bay, Kenosha, Madison, Milwaukee and Racine sent a letter to JFC co-chairs on Tuesday, stating that they are putting off plans to use federal aid intended to help recover from effects of the coronavirus pandemic, until they can be sure it will be there.
For Green Bay schools, Superintendent Steven Murley tells FOX 11 the District could lose could be extra support staff during and after school. Or, mental health services. Which Murley says is critical for students.
“We know children had struggles during the pandemic online, when they came back on site, so we want to make sure we have enough mental health support in our schools.”
State Representative David Steffen (R-Green Bay) understands the districts’ concerns. But Steffen tells FOX 11 he wants everyone to remember, they still have two weeks until the budget is voted on.
“I don’t believe there will be any interest or appetite to have that type of education funding go away. I’m quite certain we will get this final draft complete and in coordination with the Biden administration to ensure we’re in full compliance to receive that federal money.”
Wisconsin has fallen short in meeting a 430 million dollar K-12 spending threshold, in order to receive the pandemic aid, under federal rules that require states to spend about 35 percent of state funds on schools.
The JFC has approved 28 million dollars in new K-12 funding. Republicans have designated another 350 million, which they have said would be used for schools but has not yet been appropriated.
The Joint Finance Committee will finalize its budget plan this month.
