Wisconsin Senate Bill SB603

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/30/25
• Refer: 10/30/25
• Failed: 3/23/26

Caption

An Act to repeal and recreate 115.437 (2) (b) of the statutes; Relating to: per pupil aid. (FE)

Impact

The bill represents a shift in how education funding is determined at the state level, potentially increasing the financial support for school districts if the per pupil funding for private schools rises significantly. This could lead to a more equitable funding environment between public and private education in the state, with some arguing that it will enhance the overall quality of education by encouraging public schools to pursue improvements to retain students. However, the change may also raise concerns about the long-term sustainability of funding for public schools, particularly those in lower-income areas dependent on stable state support.

Summary

Senate Bill 603 proposes significant changes to the per pupil aid system for school districts in Wisconsin. Beginning with the 2026-27 school year, the bill stipulates that the per pupil amount paid to school districts will be calculated by taking the previous year's amount and adding any increase in per pupil funding allocated to private schools under the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program for high school grades. This method aims to align public school funding more closely with private school funding adjustments, thus making it competitive.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding this bill among stakeholders in the education sector. Proponents argue that this change will incentivize public schools to improve their performance and offerings to keep pace with private institutions. Critics, however, might express worries that linking public school funding to private school performance will create a dependency on the choices and financial trends of private institutions, potentially undermining public school funding stability and increasing competition rather than collaboration in the education sector.