WisPolitics

Representative Angelina Cruz (D–Racine), a long-time public school teacher, introduced legislation today to hold the state accountable for meeting the special education reimbursement levels promised in the current budget. The “Keep Our Promise on Special Education Reimbursement Act” guarantees sum-sufficient funding for 42% of eligible special education costs in the current school year and 45% in 2026–27. “Imagine your employer choosing to pay you for less than half of the work you’ve done,” said Rep. Cruz. “That’s the position we’re putting our public schools in. This level of reimbursement is not what our schools want or need, and it’s not what our children with disabilities deserve. At the very least, we must keep our promise. If Republicans were serious about providing 42% and 45% reimbursement this biennium, they now have the opportunity to prove it.” Underfunding special education reimbursement — even below promised levels — is not new, but this budget cycle drew significant public attention to the issue. On November 17, the Department of Public Instruction announced that reimbursement from November through March will be just 35%, a serious blow to already struggling public school districts.