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Superintendent briefed board on state education bills and WOSB lobbying for special education funding
Summary
During the superintendent’s report the board heard about new state bills affecting referenda and other K–12 items, Marquette Law School polling on education, and the district’s advocacy at WOSB Day at the Capitol for increased special education reimbursement and equitable funding.
During the superintendent’s report on March 17 the West Allis-West Milwaukee School Board heard an update on recent education legislation, polling results and the district’s lobbying at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB/WOSB) day at the Capitol.
The superintendent summarized newly introduced bills in the legislative session that would affect school referenda and other K–12 rules; highlights included proposals to change how referenda are structured and what information appears on ballots, alterations to open enrollment timelines for military families, and proposed rules on student names and pronouns. The superintendent framed these as newly introduced bills under consideration by the legislature rather than enacted changes.
The board also heard results from Marquette Law School polling on public views of K–12 topics, which the superintendent said showed mixed sentiment: roughly 58% reported satisfaction with public schools in the poll, and 76% supported a major increase in special education funding across partisan groups.
Board members reported attending WOSB Day at the Capitol and described direct meetings with state legislators and staff. Several board members said the district’s delegation — including multiple board members and district staff — advocated specifically for increases to special education reimbursement rates and improvements to general per-pupil funding so districts do not rely as often on referenda.
Board members said the event put the district’s priorities in front of state lawmakers and that the delegates’ message emphasized the need for higher special education reimbursement so districts do not shoulder disproportionate costs.
No board action was taken on the legislative items during the meeting; the report was informational.
