GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (WFRV) – School leaders from Appleton, Kimberly, Hortonville, Oshkosh, Neenah, and Menasha gathered in Grand Chute to discuss how the proposed biennial education budget would impact their individual school districts.
“Schools need more, we either need more in special education funding to meet the needs of the students who have the most significant needs,” said Holly Prast, incoming Kimberly School District superintendent. “Or we need per-pupil funding to help pull from our general fund to pay for those education needs.”
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During the discussion, all six noted how much work is being done behind the scenes in their districts, but said the proposed budget makes it feel like education has taken a back seat.
“We’ve heard that education matters, and that people want children to be educated, and if that’s the case, we need all kids to be educated, and we need the funding to do so,” Prast said.
Federal law mandates that at least 60% of special education funding be covered. In the current proposal, the state of Wisconsin is supplying just 35%, forcing school districts to find other ways to fund those programs.
“It’s been closer to 30%. What that means is that we have to transfer money from our general budget to pay for our special education costs,” said Appleton Area School District Superintendent Greg Hartjes. “So what you heard today is all districts are struggling to meet their needs with students with special needs, based on what the state provides.”
With many not expecting the budget to affect the upcoming school year, there is concern that alternative cost-saving measures might soon be necessary.
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“We look at significant cuts to our expenses, which is going to be staff, right? It’s going to mean fewer teachers, fewer administrators, fewer secretaries. All of those positions may be looked at. Before we go there, we’re hoping we can increase revenue,” Hartjes said.
The proposed budget would impact the 2026 and 2027 school years.
