Wisconsin Senate Bill SB838

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/26/23
• Refer: 12/26/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Reductions to state aid paid to school districts for payments made under parental choice programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program. (FE)

Impact

The primary impact of SB838 will be the repeal of specific reductions to state aid that currently affect school districts that have pupils participating in the mentioned parental choice programs. The law currently mandates that equalization aid received by school districts is reduced based on the number of pupils attending private schools under these programs. By removing these reductions, school districts could see an increase in the overall state aid they receive, allowing them to allocate more funds toward their educational programs and services. Furthermore, this bill defines a 'legacy pupil' as a child who was enrolled in a private school under a scholarship prior to July 1, 2024, aligning future funding more closely with current enrollment policies.

Summary

Senate Bill 838 aims to amend existing statutes related to the funding and state aid provided to school districts in Wisconsin, specifically regarding parental choice programs and the Special Needs Scholarship Program. The bill proposes to end reductions to state aid for payments made to private schools under the Racine Parental Choice Program (RPCP), the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program (WPCP), and the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP) beginning in the 2024-25 school year for new pupils enrolled in these programs. This could potentially increase funding stability for these programs and the districts involved in them.

Contention

Discussion surrounding SB838 suggests potential contention among legislators. Supporters of the bill argue that it is a necessary step in providing consistent funding for students in parental choice programs and ensuring that school districts are not disadvantaged due to their participation. However, opponents express concern that the bill could shift funds away from public schools and undermine public education by diverting resources to private institutions. Critics worry about the long-term implications of increased reliance on private education funding and its effect on educational equity across the state.