MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin voters will decide on millions of dollars in funding for school referendums during 2024 elections. 

On April 2, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) — the state's largest district — is one district asking voters to approve a referendum. Leaders are looking for $252 million over four years. 

“For the past 16 years per pupil funding has not kept pace with inflation,” said Chris Thiel, legislative policy manager for MPS.

What You Need To Know

  • Wisconsin voters will decide on millions of dollars in funding for school referendums 

  • The state's largest district, Milwaukee Public Schools, is asking voters to approve $252 million over four years

  • Wisconsin adopted revenue limits for school districts in 1993

  • Since then approximately 85% of the state's school districts have used referendums to raise funding

In 1993, state lawmakers adopted revenue limits for school districts. Since then, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, approximately 85% of Wisconsin’s school districts have used referendums to raise funding.

Since 2020, MPS has made investments in students, resulting in smaller class sizes. The district also expanded art, music, libraries and P.E.

According to MPS, the only way to continue programming at current levels is to raise additional revenue.

MPS said that without that funding, many programs — including advanced education classes and mental health support — are at risk of being cut. 

Thiel said school districts in the state are $3,380 per pupil behind where they should be.

“So whether you’re a large district [or a] small district, you’re considering your options at this point,” Thiel said.

When it comes to funding for students with disabilities, Thiel said the state has a very low reimbursement rates. He said this feeds into fiscal challenges MPS, and other school districts, are facing.

Should the MPS referendum pass in April, residents’ property taxes would increase by $216 per $100,000 of assessed property value during the first year.

Learn more about the MPS referendum, here. 

Watch the full interview above.

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