State Rep. Steve Doyle briefs Holmen board on special session, school funding and new education laws

State Rep. Steve Doyle, D., told the Holmen School District Board of Education on April 13 that a governor-called special session on redistricting will likely be short and procedural, and he gave a broad update on education-related legislation as district officials pressed for clarity about school funding.

Doyle told the board that he expects a rapid “gavel-in, gavel-out” session on redistricting that will require lawmakers to return to Madison but may produce little substantive change. He said negotiations over a roughly $2.5 billion state surplus have included competing proposals that differ sharply on whether to prioritize property-tax rebates or increased school aid.

"Your tax dollars at work making us all go to Madison tomorrow basically to accomplish nothing," Doyle told the board, describing an expected ceremonial session called by the governor. He outlined the governor’s initial proposal — which he said included $200 million for special education, $450 million for general school aids and other items — and said Assembly Republicans countered with a package emphasizing tax rebates.

Why it matters: The board pressed for specifics because district budgets and planned referendums rely on predictable state aid. Doyle said Democrats are seeking a higher special-education reimbursement (he described a Democratic proposal that would raise special-ed support toward the 60% range) and an increase in general aids, but he cautioned that negotiations were fluid and outcome-dependent.

On recent laws, Doyle briefly described multiple enacted Acts that affect classroom operations, student safety and school procedures. Among the items he named were a requirement that school boards adopt policies restricting student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time (Act 42), creation of a new crime of sexual extortion (Act 48), increased penalties and a longer statute of limitations for human-trafficking offenses (Act 56), and a requirement that boards notify parents the same day a credible report of certain staff misconduct is received (Act 57). He also cited laws on school-bus equipment (Acts 208–209), professional development for K–12 science teachers (Act 95) and other changes.

On special-education funding, Doyle said the enacted budget is being prorated and that districts have so far been reimbursed at roughly 35% of eligible costs. "We made a promise and we need to fulfill it," he said, adding that while the governor and some negotiators have expressed optimism, he could not provide final numbers because he was not in the closed-room negotiations.

Board members asked about practical impacts — how pro-rated payments would affect the district’s spring and summer cash flow and whether officials can expect additional state aid before June. Doyle said further payments are scheduled through June but declined to promise a final figure.

Doyle also advised local advocates to target outreach to Republican districts and members of the state Joint Finance Committee, noting that budget decisions are shaped by those who represent swing or majority-party districts.

The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session with board members and administrators. Doyle offered to provide additional materials on request and left the meeting after thanking the board for the invitation.

Next steps: Board members said they would follow up with Doyle’s office for any written materials and watch for developments if negotiations produce a larger aid package prior to final payments.