Teachers Blast State Budget’s Broken Promises

Teachers and support staff are blasting new figures showing the special education reimbursement rate is significantly lower than what lawmakers promised when they passed the 2025-27 state budget.

“Lawmakers who voted for this state budget have turned their backs on our most vulnerable children, failing to deliver on promised special education funding and leaving our students without the supports they need to succeed in school,” said Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, a teacher and president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. “This shortfall will mean even more communities forced into holding school referendums in 2026 just to meet basic needs, causing uncertainty and hardship for students who deserve better from their elected leaders.”

According to the state Department of Public Instruction, the initial prorated reimbursement rate for special education students is 35 percent, significantly lower than the 42 percent budget estimate touted by supporters of the state budget passed in July. The budget was passed with a promise that special education funding would provide enough financial support to school districts to make up for zero increase in general aid to public schools.

Joint Finance Committee co-chair Sen. Howard Marklein said in his back-to-school video message that students and educators would benefit from the budget, but parents and teachers are pushing back.

“Lawmakers who backed the state budget didn’t see fit to allocate even an inflationary increase in general aid,” Wirtz-Olsen said. “They devalued public school special needs students by refusing to reimburse their care at the same level as the 90 percent that unaccountable private vouchers receive from taxpayers. Now, they’re caught lying about the scant resources they are providing.

“It’s time for these politicians to fix Wisconsin’s school funding formula and fulfill what the state Constitution requires,” she said. “Taxpayers have had enough of picking up the tab on our property taxes to make up for their refusal to fund schools. If they won’t take action for the students who most need help, educators and families will.” To arrange an interview by Zoom or phone, call or text Christina Brey, 608-213-3497.

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.