MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — At the Capitol, Democrats propose legislation to increase special education funding.
Representative Robyn Vining of Wauwatosa says voters have consistently approved school funding referenda – and lawmakers need to pay attention.
“We as legislators need to join our constituents in not letting this be partisan, instead committing to the fact that it is constitutional. So we need to fulfill our constitutional duties on all sides of the aisle to uphold every child’s constitutional right to an adequately funded education,” Vining said.
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos says special education funding was increased in the most recent state budget. The bill increases the special education reimbursement rate to 90%, roughly double the funding level in the budget.
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recently informed districts that the state will reimburse 35% of their special education costs – less than the rate specified in the current state budget.