Board asks municipalities to include tax-bill insert explaining voucher levy after heated debate
Summary
After public comment and extended board debate about framing and fairness, the Stevens Point Area Public School District authorized administration to ask municipalities to include a tax-bill insert that shows the locally funded portion of the Wisconsin Parental Choice (voucher) program on property tax bills; motion passed by roll call (7 yes, 2 no).
The Stevens Point Area Public School District board voted Jan. 12 to ask municipalities to include a district-provided tax-bill insert explaining how much of the local levy supports public schools and how much supports the locally funded portion of the Wisconsin Parental Choice (voucher) program.
Business services presented a sample insert and a table showing the locally funded voucher levy for fiscal 2025–26 as $3,790,000 (about 7.6% of the total levy), and estimated the tax impact at $0.52 per $1,000 of equalized property value. Administrators reported two print estimates for 21,000 inserts; the recommended black-and-white print option was $771.99.
Public commenters and board members disputed wording and tone. Carol Colby, speaking for the Stevens Point Area Retired Teachers Association, urged the board to move ahead with the insert (she read a motion passed by her group) but also raised a conflict-of-interest concern about a board member who operates a charter school. Heidi, a resident, urged the board to support ‘‘decoupling’’ voucher funding from locally paid taxes. Chris Lawrence of School of Choice Wisconsin urged that parental choice expands options for families and described program eligibility.
During discussion board members debated clarity (dollars vs. percentages), program naming ("voucher" vs. "Wisconsin Parental Choice Program"), the insert’s tone and space limits, and municipal logistics. Some members asked administration to refine language and ensure the board reviews the final printed text before it goes into tax bills next year. The board approved a motion to authorize administration to seek municipal cooperation on including the insert; roll-call votes recorded 7 yes, 2 no. The board directed administration to continue outreach to municipalities and to return with a final draft before printing.
Accusation and response: in public comment Carol Colby alleged that board member Alex Summers operates a charter school whose students are voucher-eligible and suggested disclosure or abstention; Summers responded in the meeting that he had founded a choice school but said he does not personally benefit and denied any conflict of interest. The allegation was presented during public comment and addressed during the board discussion.
Next steps: administration will contact municipalities with the sample language, record any municipal feedback, revise the insert for space and clarity, and bring a final printed draft to the board before the insert would be distributed in tax bills.
