State Superintendent Tony Evers submitted the first part of a proposed budget for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Monday. The budget asks for roughly $13 billion to run the state’s public education system.
The budget would represent an approximately $613 million increase in spending over the last two-year proposal, emphasizing projects concerning school safety and technology.
“The first portion of my budget being submitted today recommends targeted funding to address two critical areas—school safety and technology,” Evers said in a statement.
Evers also focused on reforming the state’s school finance system, saying his Fair Funding plan “will finally make [the] school finance system fair, sustainable and transparent.” Both Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature have declined to implement the Fair Funding proposal in both the 2011-’13 and 2013-’15 budgets.
The budget also recommended an increase of more than $53 million to grow the state’s school voucher program as well as an $8.3 million increase to expand the state’s open enrollment policy, which allows students to enroll at schools in neighboring districts.
Disability Rights Wisconsin, a statewide group that promotes disability rights, applauded the budget, noting increases in funding for special education.
“Disability Rights Wisconsin applauds the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s 2015-2017 biennial budget request released today that includes $108 million in investments for students with disabilities,” the group said in a statement.
Republican leaders criticized the budget proposal as an inefficient use of state funds.
“We have a responsibility to provide a great education to every child in Wisconsin and protect the interests of the taxpayer. It is unfortunate that DPI doesn’t put more of an emphasis on the latter,” Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Joint Finance Committee Assembly Co-Chair John Nygren, R-Marinette, said in a statement.
