HAYWARD, Wis. (WRN) — During a budget hearing on Monday in Hayward, superintendents of small northern Wisconsin school districts asked the Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee to fix the state funding formula.
“In districts like Birchwood, local families are being penalized for high high property values that they themselves cannot afford,” said a woman at the hearing.
“Every time a district does not pass the referendum and the gaps get bigger and kids lose and communities lose. Please do the moral thing and fund your public schools. Thank you,” said another woman.
They also asked to be reimbursed for 60 percent of the costs of teaching special education students. The finance committee moves on to Wausau for a budget hearing today/Tuesday.