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In each of the revenue caps studies there have been unique findings; however, the central conclusion has remained consistent: the majority of superintendents say that the revenue caps are having, and will continue to have, a negative effect on the quality of education. This finding suggests that the revenue control formula is at odds with the state's efforts to improve the quality of education.
This is not unexpected, however, because revenue controls
were created as a temporary measure to reduce property taxes. The controls
were not structured to promote innovation or improve the quality of education.
Thus, while we have the rhetoric associated with higher standards and
improved quality, we also have a school funding formula that appears to
have the opposite effect.
In this year's study, responses to a few questions are most salient. Seventy-three percent of superintendents say that the fiscal viability of their district will be in serious jeopardy if there are no changes in the revenue caps in the next 3-5 years, and the vast majority of superintendents say that educational quality in their district has declined since 1993, and will continue to decline.
Nearly nine in ten also believe that the revenue caps
will make it more difficult for them to hire and retain quality teachers
in future years. Perhaps this is why three- fourths of superintendents
say that Wisconsin must change the way it funds education. As for the
nature of that change, nearly all superintendents (90%) favor a change
in the revenue caps legislation, generally by allowing school boards greater
flexibility to exceed the cap.
Last year, superintendents were asked if they would be willing to share their written responses with the general public. Forty-five percent of superintendents (124) who returned surveys agreed to do so. This year, 57% (161) agreed to "go public" with their responses to the revenue caps questionnaire. The fact that so many superintendents are willing to forego anonymity and take this extra step suggests that the revenue caps are having dire effects on more and more districts.