Wisconsin Senate Bill SB184

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/3/23
• Refer: 4/3/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Calculating a consolidated school district's revenue limit. (FE)

Impact

By altering this requirement, SB184 could have a notable effect on the financial stability of newly consolidated school districts. It is designed to simplify the revenue calculation process and ensure that an influx of funding from previous referendums can continue to benefit students in the merged districts. This approach is anticipated to provide a smoother transition for school districts undergoing consolidation and to mitigate financial disruptions often associated with such structural changes.

Summary

Senate Bill 184 proposes significant changes to the funding structure for consolidated school districts in Wisconsin. Specifically, the bill aims to repeal a requirement that mandates the expiration of approved excess revenue from referendums once school districts consolidate. Currently, when two or more school districts merge, any previously approved funding that exceeded the revenue limit is nullified upon consolidation. This bill would allow those revenue approvals to remain effective even after the districts have combined, changing how financial resources are managed in newly formed districts.

Contention

Supporters of SB184 believe that maintaining revenue from referendums post-consolidation is essential to protecting educational funding and achieving long-term financial stability for school districts. This bill is seen as a way to promote equitable educational opportunities by ensuring that schools have the necessary resources, regardless of administrative changes. Conversely, opponents may express concerns about the potential implications for local governance and oversight of educational resources, questioning if the removal of the expiration requirement could lead to unregulated financial practices in school districts.