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District monitors 2025-27 state budget; special-education reimbursement the leading concern
Summary
Waukesha School District staff told the policy committee that special-education reimbursement and low revenue ceiling decisions are central to the 2025-27 state budget discussions; the district is transferring about $20 million this year from general fund to the special-education fund.
Dr. Seibert briefed the Policy & Government Relations Committee on the 2025-27 Wisconsin state budget process, telling members the Joint Finance Committee has begun executive sessions and that special-education reimbursement is the dominant education issue in hearings around the state.
"Special education reimbursement" — the share of special-education costs the state reimburses districts — was described as a central priority. Dr. Seibert said increasing that reimbursement from the current roughly 30 percent would have significant fiscal impact for districts that now transfer local general-fund dollars into special-education funds. He said the Waukesha School District transferred $20,000,000 this year from Fund 10 into Fund 27 to cover special-education costs.
Committee members discussed other budget issues, including the low-revenue ceiling and recent court cases that have complicated budget writing. Mister Brooks summarized two legal issues that have affected the process: a dispute over the governor’s partial vetoes in the prior budget (the so-called "400-year veto" matter) and a separate veto affecting the statutory scaffolding for releasing literacy funding. Brooks said the legal outcomes could change how appropriations and line-item veto authority are interpreted, which in turn affects how the legislature approaches current budget negotiations.
Dr. Seibert said if no new biennial budget is enacted the district will operate under the prior budget. He noted that while the district can take steps to adjust locally, uncertainty over state aid and levy authority complicates long-range financial planning.
No formal action was taken on the budget item; the briefing was informational.
