GOP representatives pass bill to incentivize school district consolidation in Wisconsin

File photo of a classroom in the newly-remodeled Clintonville Elementary School on Oct. 12, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online

(WTAQ-WLUK) — Republican state representatives have passed six bills to provide financial incentives for school districts to consolidate.

Enrollment statewide has declined by about 75,000 over the last 25 years — nearly a 10% decrease.

Here are the main proposals in the bill:

1. Cover the cost of a feasibility study for school district consolidation
2. Increase funding from $150 to $2,000 per student to school districts who consolidate — for the first six years after consolidation
3. It would give $500 per student for students included in a whole grade sharing agreement; that would be a situation where two school districts may share an elementary or middle school.
4. Allow certain changes in allowable tax levies

“The reality is, is that if we have 75,000 less students in the K-12 program than we had 25 years ago, something’s got to change,” said Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, who helped introduce the bills. “The math doesn’t work.”

Republicans say it’s about opportunity — especially for small, rural districts. Extra funds and bigger schools would create that.

“There’s a lot of advantages to that,” said Rep. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, who voted in favor of all six bills. “You can have sports teams that are more successful, for example. You might have better access to gyms because you don’t have to share with as many kids and different classes. There’s more opportunity.”

Added Steffen, “We have students in some of these very small, rural districts who are just not getting the same opportunities that some in those in suburban and urban districts are having.”

Those in favor of the bill say larger schools mean a better educational experience. Opponents say it exacerbates the challenges with rural districts.

“They are at that point, and what does this bill do? What will it do?” said Rep. Ryan Spaude, D-Ashwaubenon. “Longer bus rides? Loss of jobs? Loss of community? No, thank you. Not for me.”

Steffen says Republicans factored those issues in.

“I can tell you this. Since it is almost exclusively Republicans who represent very rural areas of this state, they are sensitive to that issue,” said Steffen.

At the end of the day, it would be up to the districts to decide whether the increase in student funding outweighs the cost of consolidation. But first, it needs approval from the State Senate and the governor.