Lawmakers debate bill that would boost funding for both public and voucher schools
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A bill that would give most Wisconsin schools additional state dollars is on the fast track toward Gov. Tony Evers' desk.
The Senate education committee heard public testimony Monday on a bill that was introduced last Friday. The framework of the agreement reached between Evers, a Democrat, and Republicans in control of the legislature was first announced to the public last Thursday.
While the bill gives a substantial increase in funding to both public and voucher schools, public school supporters maintain it's a shift that will hurt public education in the long run.
Under the agreement, public K-12 schools would see an increase of more than $1 billion. Once that money is split up statewide, it amounts to an estimated $325 increase per student.
Private voucher schools would see a larger per pupil increase. K-8 school would get a bump of about $1,000 per student, while private high schools would nearly $3,000 more per student.
At Monday's hearing, most of the speakers were pro-voucher.
Howard Fuller, who co-founded the Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy in Milwaukee and is a longtime supporter of the state's school choice program, said he supported the bill because it would give more families additional options.
"I am a strong supporter of public education," Fuller said. "But I do not believe that we ought to have a one best system to try to deliver on the promise of public education."
Critics of the bill include the Milwaukee teachers' union, which believes much of the additional voucher school funding should instead go toward public schools.
State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) said it was unfair to close the gap between voucher and public schools because voucher schools don't have to accept all students, regardless of any disability or behavioral challenges they might present.
"We're seeing, again, a large expansion of unaccountable voucher schools in our state," Larson said. "Without ever going in and making sure they have to serve every student, that they can't discriminate."
Evers has long opposed giving additional state dollars to voucher schools. However, Republicans have said it was a necessary concession in order to seal the deal on a bill that would increase state aid for all local governments, including the opportunity for Milwaukee to have its own sales tax and for Milwaukee County to increase its existing sales tax.
The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association told CBS 58 on Friday it felt Evers "blindsided" them by making the deal with Republicans. A spokesperson for Evers did not immediately respond to questions Monday about whether the Evers administration has since discussed the agreement with MTEA leaders.
The question of fairness has long driven the debate over school choice in Wisconsin, which dates back to 1990. State Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) said while private voucher schools don't have to follow all the same rules voucher schools do, they'll be held accountable by families.
"Ultimately, the vote is among the parents," Nass said. "If parents don't think they are getting their money's worth from choice schools, they can pull their child out of school."
Nataly Andrade, the director of Hispanics for School Choice, said during the hearing voucher schools cannot provide services for all students with disabilities because they don't receive funding at the same level of public schools.
School Choice Wisconsin, a pro-voucher group, estimated the bill will allow choice schools to open up an additional 20,000 seats statewide.
Larson said before expanding voucher opportunities, the state should ensure all of its public schools are fully funded.
"Let's fund one system to make sure -- let's do that right -- to make sure every child has access to a quality education," Larson said. "Instead of trying to have the state pick and having them play by different sets of rules."
Both the full Assembly and the Senate are expected to vote on the school funding and shared revenue bills on Wednesday.