State superintendent statement on Wisconsin Policy Forum report showing expected property tax increases

MADISON — State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly today released the following statement on a new report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum showing that due in part to a record number of school district referendum being approved, property taxes are expected to rise statewide.

 

“As we have seen across the state, with high referendum approval rates in November, communities value public schools and understand the need to appropriately fund our kids’ futures. Unfortunately, those same communities are being put in an impossible position by our state legislature, which has severely underfunded public schools for well over a decade. Local taxpayers are often choosing to increase their property taxes just so their local schools can keep the lights on and keep educating kids.

 

“It doesn’t have to be this way. My biennial budget proposal reinvests in our public schools and our kids, holds down local property taxes, and will limit the need for districts to go to referendum. By providing sustainable funding to our public schools at the state level, our public schools can create new, innovative ways to meet families’ needs and provide a high-quality education to all kids.”

 

NOTE: An official photo of Dr. Underly can be found on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's website.