Wisconsin’s public schools chief says Governor Scott Walker’s budget poses “a crushing challenge” to public education. State Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Tony Evers says Governor Scott Walker’s two year budget would cut some $840 million in state school aids, the largest cut in state history, as well proposing a five and a half percent reduction to school district levy limits. “Depending on the school district, schools will have to reduce their spending between $480 and $1100 per pupil,” Evers told the legislature’s Joint Finance Committee. “Statewide, the proposed revenue limits will result in a $1.7 billion cut over the biennium as compared to the current law.”
Walker has said that greater contributions to health care and pension costs by school employees will help districts recoup those costs. “We have heard that the districts have the tools to make up for these cuts and that classrooms shouldn’t be impacted,” said Evers. “Quite frankly I don’t think the numbers add up, and many school district officials from around the state agree with me. They have told us that the savings related to pensions and health insurance do not cover the reductions that will be required under the proposed budget.”
State Senator Luther Olson, (R-Berlin) attempted to reassure Evers. Olson, who chairs the Senate Education committee, said he’ll work “to make sure that people at the end of the day realize that we don’t have the money that we used to, but education is important, and the boys and girls in this state are important.”