1. Increase the current funding for public school students in the form of per-pupil, categorical aid in the amount of $908 per pupil for 2023-24 and in the amount of $658 per pupil for 2024-25. 
Providing categorical aid (spendable dollars) vs. state aid (tax relief) ensures that every district in the state receives the same increase based on the number of students enrolled in their schools.

With increased categorical aid schools can:

• Provide appropriate employee compensation. Our educators are our most valuable asset in achieving our mission and vision.  We project the need for an additional $500,000 over the next two years to fully fund our compensation system and increase hourly wages for all school district staff. Education staffing shortages are a reality, as public school districts struggle to keep up with the cost of living increases and remain competitive with private sector employment offerings. 

• Maintain comprehensive school programming, including support for students’ mental health. Education must address every facet of a child’s being, and the need for public schools to support students’ health and well-being is more important now than ever before. We want to keep our current level of course offerings and extracurriculars for our students, and to stay competitive with area schools in the era of school choice. 

2. Reimburse school districts for 100% of special education costs to support all students.

• At BFHS, each student is valued, will learn, and will experience success. In comparison to states across the nation, funding to support special education services in Wisconsin is very low. Schools are currently reimbursed for only 27.5% of special education costs, creating a sizable deficit. This impacts all students, as schools must use general education funds to fill the gap. At BFHS, this results in annual spending of $350,000-400,000 from the general education fund to support the required services provided to students receiving special education programming.

Contact your local legislator(s) and share with them BFHS's Legislative Advocacy Priorities. The 2023-25 budget development process will begin in the coming weeks at the state level and our lawmakers are currently considering how to spend a budget surplus of over $4 billion. Your advocacy on behalf of our public school students, families, and staff members is important for our future!

We support our public school educators. We support our students' mental health. And we support the needs of ALL students.

Representative Tyler August

• (608) 237-9132

• Email Tyler August

Senator Steve Nass

• (608) 266-2635

• Email Steve Nass

Joint Finance Committee

• Joe Malkasian, Committee Clerk

• (608) 264-8314

• Email Joe Malkasian