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Board hears state budget briefing: governor proposes $3.1 billion for K–12; special‑education funding and federal changes flagged as concerns
Summary
Chris Steele of the Office of Governmental Relations briefed the board on the state budget process, the governor’s $3.1 billion education proposal and the importance of special‑education reimbursement rates; board members raised concerns about possible federal funding changes and what that could mean for district finances.
Chris Steele, director of governmental relations for Milwaukee Public Schools, told the board the governor’s budget proposal includes roughly $3.1 billion in measures the presenter characterized as supportive of K–12 education. He said the joint committee on finance will accept public comment and that local advocates should engage in the budget process.
“We know for a fact given the surplus at the state level ... the 3.1 billion that we could accomplish our goals of the ... funding students with disabilities at a 90% reimbursement rate and increasing that per‑pupil funding,” Steele said, summarizing priorities discussed by districts statewide.
Steele and board members also discussed a proposal commonly referred to in the meeting as a “cut score bill,” a bill that would set proficiency cut scores. Steele noted that setting higher proficiency standards logically requires funding to give students “the opportunity to be proficient.”
Board members raised questions about federal policy changes after an executive action referenced that would alter the U.S. Department of Education’s role. In response, a board speaker noted how federal funding and state reimbursements interact: reductions in federal special‑education dollars would reduce the federal share and could lower state reimbursement levels, increasing pressure on local budgets.
School system data cited during the meeting showed total federal funding for the district at $194,781,223, with $146,208,784 from the U.S. Department of Education and $48,572,439 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (school meals). That figure was cited by the board as equivalent to the funding for roughly 1,640 educator positions in the district.
Board members urged community advocacy at the state level and noted that the state budget process can be late; board staff said they will share listening‑session dates and other engagement opportunities with members.
No board vote was taken on budget matters at this meeting.
