4/28/2026

N. WISCONSIN - A new report shows a growing disparity between the Wisconsin public school districts receiving the most and least amount of overall funding, and experts say referendums are a major contributing factor. School districts across the state are increasingly relying on operational referendums to cover basic expenses. Despite declining support amid property tax concerns, 61-percent of referendums still passed in the state’s spring election. Sarah Shaw with the Wisconsin Policy Forum says this growing dependence, combined with the current school funding system, is contributing to revenue inconsistencies that can't be explained by differences in cost of living or student population.

                    0:15  "Something is happening to cause a widening gap that is increasingly putting some districts in a much stronger financial position and other districts in a really weak financial position. What we hope this report brings up is asking that question of why, and what do we do about it?"

Shaw emphasizes that while some funding differences are expected, increasing discrepancies suggest deeper structural problems are hindering schools. She says the issue calls for examining both revenue and cost pressures.