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Meeting Date:
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1/27/2022 - 5:30 PM
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Category:
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Reports and Communications from the Board Clerk/Chief Officer, Office of Board Governance
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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1. Monthly Report, with Possible Action, on Legislative Activities Affecting MPS
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement Goal 2 Student, Family and Community Engagement Goal 3 Effective and Efficient Operations
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Attachments
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Revenue Limit History - Legislative Fiscal Bureau
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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In January, the Wisconsin Policy Forum issued a report on state taxes and warned of diminished support for public services and highlighted the fact that Wisconsin’s support for its schools has fallen below the national average. Specifically, the report stated:
“[A] continued focus on lowering Wisconsin’s tax burden may bring with it diminished public services, particularly at the local level. Already, for example, the state has seen its per pupil spending on K-12 education fall from the top 10 nationally to below average.”
In fact, over the past decade, per pupil funding support has fallen well off of the pace of inflation. Since 1993, allowing per pupil funding to keep pace with the rate of inflation had been a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s K-12 funding system. However, over the past ten years per pupil support is $1,864 per pupil behind the inflationary index. Stated a different way, if per pupil funding had simply kept pace with inflation, each student would have $1,864 more of support than they do today.
As a fundamental part of the state’s K-12 funding system, that support should be provided and is attainable. New state revenue estimates are expected to be published at the end of January, and on top of $1.7 billion available in the state’s fiscal stabilization fund, it is anticipated that there could be an additional $2 billion of available revenue.
Given the persistent underfunding of K-12 education and other public services, and if current estimates are correct, the nearly $4 billion of possible revenue should not be seen as a “surplus” but be put to immediate use to support critically needed programs.
As they move forward, updates on relevant bills and legislation will be provided.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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This item does not authorize expenditures.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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The district will continue to pursue appropriate support for students as part of the MPS Legislative Agenda.
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Recommendation:
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Chris Thiel - Legislative Policy Specialist
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Signed By:
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Jacqueline M. Mann, Ph.D. - Board Clerk/Chief Officer
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