Burmaster Budget Would Maintain Two-Thirds Funding

The state would maintain its commitment to two-thirds funding of education, under a biennial budget plan unveiled Thursday (September 21, 2006) by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster.

The superintendent's plan would:

• Increase education funding by $640 million over two years, amounting to an increase in overall school aids of 3.3% in the first year and 3.2% in the second year of the 2007-09 budget.
• Repeal the Qualified Economic Offer law, which severely restricts teacher salary increases. "The devoted people who educate our children every day deserve no less than the repeal of the QEO," Burmaster said in unveiling budget details in her annual State of Education address at the State Capitol.
• Provide an additional $5,000 per year for nine years as an incentive for Master Educators to teach in high-needs schools, where at least 60% of students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch under federal guidelines.
• Set aside $26 million to help about 180 financially struggling rural districts.
• Add $25 million in special education funding in the first year, and $50 million in the second year.
• Add up to five schools in the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) class size reduction program and fully fund the $2,250 reimbursement rate per student.
• Increase the reimbursement rate for school breakfast from 10 cents to 15 cents.
• Increase and expand bilingual-bicultural aid.
• Provide funding for elementary world language instruction.
• Increase support for public libraries.
• Continue funding for 4-year-old kindergarten.
• Provide grants for Milwaukee Public Schools to extend the school year into the summer; provide funding to restore arts education to Milwaukee Public Schools; provide support for the Preschool to Grade 5 and service-learning programs; and add provisions to address the current state funding flaw related to the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program.

“Wisconsin has a long tradition of quality public education pre-kindergarten through grade 12,” Burmaster said. “We established our country’s first kindergarten over 150 years ago and have nation-leading performance on college admission tests this year. However, quality education in Wisconsin has been compromised. School districts throughout our state are less able to meet the 20 educational standards that established in law a foundation for equity. They are increasing class sizes, laying off teachers and support staff, and reducing course offerings and extracurricular activities. Quality education in Wisconsin is beginning to suffer. ...

“My biennial budget proposal works to lessen the threat to equity in educational opportunities for students across our state and ensure continued high-quality public education in the 21st century,” Burmaster said.

Burmaster’s State of Education address (DPI Web site)

The 2007-09 DPI budget narrative (DPI Web site)

Posted September 22, 2006