Equity for Kids and Taxpayers

1. Equity for Kids and Taxpayers

2. Agenda • Who We Are • How Schools Are Funded • Education Financing History • Impact on Kids and Taxpayers • What You Can Do

3. Who We Are • Association for Equity in Funding • Non-partisan • School districts and citizens • Committed to financial equity • Goals • “…an equal opportunity for a sound basic education… one that will equip students for their roles as citizens and enable them to succeed economically and personally…” • “…takes into account districts with disproportionate numbers of disabled students, economically disadvantaged students and students with limited English language skills.”

4. How Schools are Funded(State Average) • Local Property Taxes • State Aid (from General Purpose Revenue) • Federal Aid • Other Local Funding

5. Times Have Changed • Education is more valuable than ever • Updated textbooks • New and emerging technologies • Wider options require wider curriculum • Needs of schools are growing • More kids • Kids with special needs • Economically disadvantaged • Disabled • Limited English Proficiency

6. Education Financing History 1848 The Wisconsin Constitution : “The legislature shall provide by law for the establishment of district schools, which shall be as nearly uniform as practicable...."

7. Education Financing History Since 1848 Inequities crept into the system • In school funding • In taxation Causes: • State and federal laws

8. Education Financing History 1973 Major effort at reform eliminated reliance on local property taxes and negative aids. Court challenge – reforms ruled unconstitutional because they were unfair to taxpayers.

9. Education Financing History 1992 - 1993 Revenue limits • Capped school spending • Existing disparities frozen into place • Only allow annual inflationary increase no matter the district’s economic circumstances AEF is formed AEF offers first Legislative Plan

10. Education Financing History 1995 AEF legislative proposals ignored AEF decides to file suit -- Vincent vs. Voigt State assumes 2/3 responsibility for funding public schools • Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) established • Revenue Limits continue • State fails to address equity

11. Impact on Schools • Wide Disparity in Complete Annual Costs

12. Impact on Taxpayers • Tax disparity is significant:

13. Impact on Kids • Spending Disparities = • Larger class sizes • Reduced academic & extracurricular programs • Limited academic & extracurricular choices • Delayed building repairs • Outdated textbooks/technology • Higher student fees • Cutbacks in regular education programs

14. Education Financing History 2000 Wisconsin Supreme Court defines state school standard: “Wisconsin students have a fundamental right to an equal opportunity to a sound basic education…that will equip students for their roles as citizens and enable them to succeed economically and personally.”

15. Education Financing History 2000 Wisconsin Supreme Court defines state school standard: Take into account: • Disabled kids • Economically disadvantaged kids • Kids with limited English language skills

16. AEF Goals Work with the Legislature to… • Provide equal access to state and local revenues so that all school districts have the same the ability to invest in a K-12 education for their kids • Provide additional funds on a continuing basis to meet the additional needs of the three student populations cited in our new standard.

17. What YouCan Do • Join our effort • Learn About Equity • Talk to Your Legislators

18. Contact AEF www.waef.net dhaselow@aol.com (866) 781-8332