Wisconsin’s public schools have seen their general funding cut by more than $200 per student since Governor Walker took office. That’s according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo containing information requested by state Senator Janet Bewley (D-Ashland).
“If you look at the data and you realize how much money has been allocated, this is essentially a zero-sum game,” Bewley said. While public schools have seen their general funding cut during the period, funding to voucher schools increased by $911 per student.
“The fact of the matter is, we are dealing with no increase, and with more vouchers it’s pretty easy to see that public schools are getting less,” Bewley said, adding that taxpayers need to know about the figures. “If it in fact it is not going where they believe it is needed most – namely to schools were their children go – they should know about that.”