WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, SportsCoalition comes up with Wisconsin public school funding plan

Coalition comes up with Wisconsin public school funding plan

by Meg Bonacorsi

WAUSAU (WAOW) -- It's pretty safe to say, parents and teachers want the very best for their kids.

But some believe school budgeting problems are standing in the way.

Now, a group has a plan to change that.

Nine coalitions have joined together to form the School Finance Network.

And members of the statewide organization have one goal: to change the way Wisconsin public schools are funded.

John Forester with the School Administrators Alliance says, "It was a few years ago that legislators said to us, 'Why don't you guys get your act together. You need to go out and figure out a plan that you can all support and get back to us'.  Well, here we are."

Members of the School Finance Network say one of the biggest problems with school funding is that state imposed revenue caps don't cover increasing costs.

Wausau Superintendent Steve Murley says, "As you look at the Wausau school district over the last 15 years since revenue caps were put in place we've had to cut 16 million dollars out of our budget."

So members of this new coalition hope legislators will put more money into the state's public school system.

Forester says, "What we propose to do is line up the cost increase side with the revenue growth side and thereby making the system more sustainable."

Members of the coalition say another challenge is that the number of special needs students is on the rise.

Murley says, "Of course our job as a school district is to meet their needs so they have the maximum ability to achieve.  And finding the ability to do that with the resources we have is getting harder and harder every day."

But supporters say the School Finance Network's plan would change that.

"What we really tried to do is target the aid to those students that need it the most and those school districts that need it the most," says Forester.

Members admit the plan may cost the state more money, but say reducing wasteful spending in other areas could make up the difference

The plan will be presented to legislators at a public hearing next month.

For more information on the School Finance Network visit www.sfnwisconsin.org

Online Reporter: Meg Bonacorsi