Board hears state funding briefing: MPS told per‑pupil aid has lagged inflation for 18 years

Chris Thiele, from the Office of Governmental Relations, told the Milwaukee Board of School Directors that a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis shows Wisconsin has not provided per‑pupil funding that keeps pace with inflation for 18 years.

Thiele said the state’s current statutory framework limits districts’ ability to raise revenue and described the year’s allowable per‑pupil adjustment as an “adjusted $325 per pupil” increase that falls short of a level that would keep pace with inflation. “The state only allows districts to bring in an additional, an adjusted $325 per pupil,” he said; Thiele contrasted that with a hypothetical inflation‑adjusted figure he cited from the LFB.

Thiele said that had per‑pupil funding kept pace with inflation, the state would be providing roughly $3,571 more per pupil than current levels (his presentation materials cited long‑term shortfalls). He urged board members and the public to raise questions with state legislators about revenue limits and the state’s role in school funding; he also noted some potential legislative topics, including proposals to rehire retired teachers and assorted governance bills that could affect large districts.

Board members asked follow‑up questions about referenda and the district’s options, and Thiele said some districts may consider local referenda to make up revenue shortfalls if state aid does not change.

This was an informational communication from the Office of Board Governance/Office of Governmental Relations; no board action was required.