Guest Editorial

Editorial sent to local media by Madison Board of Education Legislative Committee members on Friday, April 9, 1999

It's a good thing for the State of Wisconsin that we don't all meet our individual state income tax obligations the way that the State meets its legal obligation to pay the costs for services to children needing Special Education services in public schools.

Under current law, the State must pay 63% of a local school district's costs for Special Education services. That's 63% every year. However, the last time the State paid the full 63% was in 1983-84.

This school year the State will likely reimburse the Madison Metropolitan School District about $11 million less than the district's actual costs for Special Education. By making up the difference, the district will pay 65%--its own share plus half of the state's obligation. Why? Because we must provide the services. How? By not spending $11 million on other programs, on building maintenance, on renovations and new school buildings, and on educational technology.

We support Special Education services for children who need them and believe that Madison taxpayers also support these necessary services.

The state's failure to pay its fair share of Special Education services gives the Board of Education two choices. One is to take money from other programs and continue to delay maintenance and new construction, so that we meet our obligations to provide Special Education programs and services. The other choice is to ask taxpayers to pass a referendum permitting the Board to raise local property taxes, so we can continue to pay the state's share of Special Education costs, along with our own share and still meet the other needs of the district.

If the failure of the State to pay its share of Special Education costs concerns you and raising local property taxes also concerns you, we ask you to tell the Legislature about your concerns. The Joint Finance Committee of the Legislature is currently reviewing proposals from Governor Thompson to eliminate the 63% requirement for reimbursement, letting the real payments to districts slide to whatever dollars remain after the Legislature funds other programs and priorities.

You can speak or register your views at a public hearing on the budget before the Joint Finance Committee between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 15. You can also help by calling the Legislative Hotline (266-9960 from Madison or 1-800-362-9472).

The date for this important hearing on the upcoming state budget for 1999-2001 is tax day. We hope that paying your full tax obligations will be a good reminder to attend the hearing and state your views.

Madison Board of Education Legislative Committee

Joann Elder, chairwoman
Carol Carstensen, BOE President
Ruth Robarts, BOE
Carrie Templeton, Citizen Member
Anaré Holmes, Citizen Member
E. Gordon Young, Citizen Member
George Young, Jr., Citizen Member

2001-03 Biennial State Budget