Political Games Freeze Education Funds: Wisconsin Schools Left Holding the Bill

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Wisconsin school districts are taking out loans to fund new reading curricula as state funding remains frozen due to political battles over Governor Evers' veto powers.

Funding Stalemate Leaves Schools in the Lurch

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin's school districts are caught in a political crossfire as state funds intended to enhance reading programs remain locked up in legislative disputes. Despite a state Supreme Court ruling deeming the Republican-led blockage of funds unconstitutional, key figures in the Joint Finance Committee, notably State Senator Duey Stroebel, are still withholding the $50 million earmarked for improving student literacy.

The delayed funds have forced districts, like Greendale Schools, to take out substantial loans to cover the costs of implementing the newly approved reading curricula. The situation exemplifies the ongoing conflict between Republican legislators and Democratic Governor Tony Evers over veto powers and the allocation of educational resources.

The Cost of Political Gridlock: Schools Taking Out Loans

Greendale Schools' equity and instruction director, Maggy Olson, expressed optimism about the district's new Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum, one of four state-approved programs under the new reading law. However, the implementation has come at a financial cost. Despite the program's promise to improve literacy by combining phonics-based instruction with comprehension skills, districts like Greendale expected state funding to offset these costs, but the money remains frozen.

Superintendent Kim Amidzich revealed that Greendale Schools had to borrow approximately $300,000 to fund the curriculum change. This borrowing has led to additional financial burdens for local taxpayers, who are now responsible for covering the interest on these loans while awaiting state reimbursement.

“The district has had to take a loan to pay for those materials, and while the state is figuring out when and how to disperse those funds, the Greendale property owners are paying interest on those loans,” Amidzich said.

A Bitter Political Battle Over Veto Powers

The political impasse stems from Governor Evers' partial veto of certain provisions in the literacy funding bill, which Republicans argue overstepped his authority. The Joint Finance Committee, where Stroebel plays a significant role, has refused to release the funds until the legal battle over Evers' veto powers is resolved.

“If it holds that he can start line-item vetoing non-appropriations bills, that just changes the total complexion of government in the state of Wisconsin,” Stroebel said, underscoring the broader implications of this dispute.

Despite a recent ruling by a Dane County judge affirming the governor's partial veto, the funds remain tied up as the decision is appealed. The judge declined to mandate the immediate release of the $50 million, stating that the distribution process must involve the Joint Finance Committee.

Uncertainty and Frustration Among School Leaders

The ongoing delay has left school leaders frustrated and uncertain about when, or if, they will receive the promised funds. For districts like Greendale, which proactively implemented the new curriculum last year, the financial strain is palpable.

“We’re looking at all options and hoping that might be one of them,” Stroebel said regarding the possibility of releasing the funds. However, he acknowledged that this depends on the legal interpretations of the ongoing dispute.

Amidzich noted that early internal assessments suggest the new curriculum is yielding positive results in Greendale, despite the broader uncertainty. However, she remains concerned about the financial impact on taxpayers, stating that the sooner the state releases the reimbursement, the less burden residents will bear in terms of loan interest.

Caught in the Crossfire: Students and Educators Suffer

Maggy Olson voiced concerns that political maneuvering has sidelined the primary focus of education: the students. She highlighted the critical need to prioritize children’s learning outcomes over adult-centric disputes.

“I believe that we need to make sure that kids are at the center,” Olson said. “And I think, sometimes, we focus on the adult problems.”

As the legal and political wrangling continues, Wisconsin’s students, educators, and taxpayers are left in a state of limbo. While the reading curriculum promises to address the state’s literacy crisis, the funding freeze exemplifies how political battles can have real-world consequences for communities striving to improve educational outcomes.

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