August 11, 2006

Erpenbach Named to Special Committee on the Review of State School Aid Formula

(MADISON)—State Senator Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) has been named to a Joint Legislative Council study committee on school funding.  He has been appointed to serve as a member of the Special Committee on the Review of State School Aid Formula.

“I have some great ideas about school funding that I am excited to share with the committee,” said Erpenbach.  “I have been saying for a long time that we need to fundamentally change the way that schools in Wisconsin are funded,” he added.  “We need to make the system more equitable; stop punishing smaller school districts in favor of those that are growing,” said Erpenbach.

The committee is directed to study the current state school aid formula for public elementary and secondary schools in the state and to develop legislation to improve the method of allocating state funds to school districts.  The committee will look at the calculation and distribution of state aid, as well as the effects of declining enrollment and increasing property value and its effects on school districts.  Among the other challenges facing the committee are the effects of statutory restraints on local spending, referendums, and the QEO.  The committee hopes to look at how other states are funding schools, and emerging trends in school finance.

Members of the committee include legislators, taxpayers groups, school district officials from around the state and other public members.  The first meeting will be held September 13th, 2006.