In Welcome Speech to State Education Convention, Underly Highlights Budget

In her welcome speech to attendees of the 2025 Wisconsin State Education Convention in Milwaukee, Dr. Jill Underly extended her thanks to educators, school board members, and all who help support Wisconsin's public schools. At the same time, she acknowledged some of the hardships districts across the state have experienced recently. 

Dr. Underly said, "I’m especially appreciative of all the work you all have been doing across the state in your own communities to not only help your districts meet the challenges that face you, but to get your district the resources it needs. I know most of your districts have needed to go to referendum, and I want to acknowledge the hard work it entails to do that." She went on to add, "That’s why in the DPI’s upcoming biennial budget request to the governor, we have proposed significant new resources for schools, through the special education reimbursement, through general aids, through direct support for mental health, through a revenue limit exemption for security, and with a host of other investments."

The State Superintendent then went on to outline some of the key budget requests the Department of Public Instruction has asked the Governor to incorporate into his budget. These budget requests are meant to address the real, ongoing needs of Wisconsin's communities and students.

After the Governor announces his official state biennial budget at an address on February 18th, it will be up to the legislature to ask for public feedback and to work together on the budget to hammer out their differences. Some of the key touchpoints in the DPI's budget request, as Dr. Underly expressed in her speech:

• Bringing the state funding mechanism for schools back into balance by fixing revenue limits, resuming tying those to inflation, and catching funding up to where it should be
• Increasing the special education reimbursement rate from just over 30%-- where it sits currently-- to 90% over the next biennium
• Meeting student mental health needs by increasing dedicated funding to $100 minimum per student/$100k per school district 
• Universal free school meals to fuel student learning
• Dedicated support for Career and Technical Education programs
• Funding for literacy initiatives mandated by Act 20.

In addition to Underly's welcome speech, she took part in a ceremony honoring principals and assistant principals of the year, as well as the 2025 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year.