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Board approves resolution asking tax bills to show voucher and charter payments
Summary
The La Crosse School District board unanimously approved a resolution requesting that local tax bills itemize the levy used to replace state aid withheld for voucher and independent charter school payments and to send a countywide letter to legislators asking for inflation-proofed school funding.
The La Crosse School District Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution asking municipal tax bills to separately show the district levy used to replace state aid withheld for voucher and independent charter school payments. The board also agreed to sign a countywide letter to state legislators urging restoration of CPI-linked per-pupil funding.
Administration presented a chart showing voucher and independent charter payments to the district have increased dramatically since 2015, describing an increase “by more than 800% since 2015” and a year-over-year rise of about 17.4% for the 2024–25 to 2025–26 school year. Board members said listing the levy on tax bills would increase transparency for taxpayers and could help communicate how state funding decisions affect local property taxes.
The resolution text presented to the board notes that Wisconsin law reduces state aid for students who attend independent charter and voucher schools and allows districts to levy property taxes to offset those payments. The measure requests villages and the city within the district to “include annually on property tax bills the amount of the School District of La Crosse levy used to replace state aid withheld for the state-mandated voucher and independent charter school payments.”
Board members discussed drafting a countyletter based on a template used by other counties and requested a second review of the county letter before final distribution. The board voted by roll call; the motion carried with all members voting in favor.
Administration said the board will follow up with the county group of school board presidents about a coordinated letter, and may also send a district-specific version. Next steps include finalizing the draft letter and notifying local treasurers about the request to include the itemized levy information on upcoming tax statements.
