Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB196

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/20/23
• Refer: 4/20/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Aid to school districts that share services for costs associated with student information systems and making an appropriation. (FE)

Impact

Under AB196, eligible school districts may receive up to $75,000 once to reimburse costs associated with the new systems, including purchasing software, migrating data, and training staff. The total annual appropriation for this program is set at $450,000 for the fiscal years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Notably, if the number of eligible applicants exceeds the available funding, the DPI will prorate the available aid, ensuring assistance is distributed fairly among applicants.

Summary

Assembly Bill 196, introduced by the Joint Legislative Council, aims to provide financial support to school districts that share services and incur costs associated with purchasing and implementing new student information systems. The bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which will offer categorical aid to qualifying school districts. This initiative focuses on enhancing communication and operational efficiency among school districts, particularly between union high school districts and elementary districts connected to them.

Contention

The bill reflects an increasing emphasis on technology integration in education but may raise concerns regarding funding allocations and the equitable distribution of state resources among the districts. Critics could argue that reliance on shared service models might not adequately address the unique needs of smaller or less-resourced districts. Furthermore, the one-time aid limit could be viewed as insufficient for comprehensive system upgrades, potentially leading districts to seek additional state support in the future.