Secretary Godlewski, BCPL Present Record $70 Million Common School Fund Distribution to Support Wisconsin Public Schools

Brookfield, WI – Today at the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association (WEMTA) Conference, Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, Chair of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL), proudly presented a historic $70 million distribution from the Common School Fund to support public school libraries and media centers across Wisconsin. This record-breaking distribution marks a 94% increase since 2019, when Secretary Godlewski became chair of the agency.

Established in 1848 by the Wisconsin Constitution, the Common School Fund serves as Wisconsin’s permanent endowment for public education, ensuring schools receive dedicated funding for essential learning resources. More than 90% of public school libraries in the state rely solely on the Common School Fund each year to purchase literacy materials, invest in digital tools for a 21st-century economy, and expand technology to close the digital divide.

“As Chair of BCPL, my top priority is ensuring every Wisconsin student has access to the educational resources they need,” said Secretary Godlewski. “This $70 million directly supports student learning while helping to ease the burden on local property taxpayers. I’m incredibly proud of our agency and commissioners for their continued efforts to make smart investments and grow this fund, allowing us to provide record distributions to Wisconsin’s schools.”

BCPL has executed a sound investment strategy in recent years, growing the Common School Fund to $1.5 billion and providing Wisconsin schools with critical resources without relying on local property taxes.

“When we invest in our school libraries, we aren’t just funding books or technology—we are funding opportunities,” said Secretary Godlewski. “This funding is a lifeline for schools across the state, ensuring students have access to the tools they need to succeed while relieving pressure on local taxpayers.”

“This isn’t just about financial growth—it’s about ensuring every Wisconsin student has the resources to learn, dream, and succeed,” added Secretary Godlewski. “We are committed to continuing to grow this fund responsibly so that Wisconsin schools and communities continue to benefit for generations to come.”

BACKGROUND:
The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) manages over $1.5 billion in state trust funds, including the Common School Fund, which provides annual distributions to fund books and technology for every public school district in Wisconsin. The board consists of Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski (Chair), State Treasurer John Leiber, and Attorney General Josh Kaul. Under Secretary Godlewski’s leadership, BCPL has prioritized community investment and sustainable financial growth to maximize support for Wisconsin’s students.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.