Attacks continue on Wisconsin public schools

The attacks continue on Wisconsin public schools. Madison lawmakers are voting to limit the funding the state’s public schools can generate to educate students. It has to do with how the state funds education. The state provides money to local school districts based on how many students attend school in that district. If a district loses students, it receives less money from the state. It doesn’t matter why a student leaves, even if it is to participate in the state’s voucher school program, where students can attend private schools at taxpayer expense. Right now, school districts can raise local property taxes to make up for the drop in state funding. A bill under consideration in Madison would limit school districts ability to raise taxes to make up for the state funding shortfall. A separate piece of legislation would limit local school districts ability to hold referendums seeking additional funding for schools. The fact is, with less state money for schools, local districts are turning to local voters for the money they need to operate. More often than not, these referendums are successful, showing that citizens of the state still value public education, even if our lawmakers do not.