Revenue Controls Blames for Severe Disrepair of School Buidings

More than half of Wisconsin’s public school buildings need preventive maintenance or repairs, costing more than $1.56 billion, according to a new report from the state Department of Public Instruction.

The agency released a survey of the condition of school facilities throughout the state. One in seven school buildings do not meet one or more building code requirements.

“Revenue caps are forcing districts to postpone what would otherwise be regularly scheduled maintenance,” State Superintendent John Benson said.

He called for more flexibility for local school boards under the state-imposed revenue controls.

WEAC President Terry Craney said the survey shows the need to change or eliminate revenue controls.

“This survey confirms the findings of WEAC/Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators polls, which have found districts consistently postponing maintenance of buildings because of the limits imposed by revenue controls,” Craney said. “When two-thirds of districts say their budgets prevent them from maintaining their buildings, something is wrong.”

Craney called for the elimination or overhaul of revenue controls.

“Wisconsin’s children deserve great schools with environments that are conducive to learning,” he said. “Revenue controls are preventing districts from creating quality public schools for all children.”