If Wisconsin’s Legislature doesn’t release $50 million earmarked for reading programs in schools by June 30, 2024, the funds will return to the state’s surplus. The money, meant to support mandated changes under Act 20, has been at the center of a political standoff since February 2024.
The Journey of Act 20 and Its Funding
Act 20, passed in the summer of 2023, introduced phonics-based reading instruction for students from 4K through third grade. The change aims to improve literacy rates but comes with significant costs for new curricula and hiring literacy coaches. Schools are already grappling with tight budgets, making the allocated $50 million essential for implementing these changes.
State Superintendent Jill Underly criticized the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee for withholding the funds, calling it a political move. “Every child deserves the ability to read,” Underly said. “This funding was promised, and schools are doing their part. It’s the Legislature that is falling short.”
The Dispute Over Funding Control
The $50 million was initially approved as a separate appropriations bill when Act 20 was passed. However, disagreements over control of the funds led to complications.
Governor Tony Evers partially vetoed the bill in February 2024, striking language about how the money would be allocated. In response, Republican lawmakers filed a lawsuit in April to withhold the funds. Evers and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) countered, arguing that implementing Act 20 by the 2024-25 school year would be impossible without the money.
In July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that Republicans had overstepped their authority in a related case involving the Department of Natural Resources. However, the court has not yet addressed the dispute over the $50 million for DPI.
Calls for Resolution
Attorney General Josh Kaul has urged the state’s high court to bypass the appellate process and decide on the funding matter. Meanwhile, Sen. Howard Marklein and Rep. Mark Born, co-chairs of the Joint Finance Committee, defended their position, emphasizing their support for literacy programs.
“This is why we allocated $50 million to create the Office of Literacy and passed Act 100,” they stated, blaming Governor Evers for vetoing key provisions that outlined the funding’s use.
Evers’ spokesperson Britt Cudaback countered, saying Republicans could release the funds at any time. “There’s no reason to delay these critical investments in our kids’ education,” she said. She also highlighted other delayed initiatives, such as funding for PFAS cleanup and childcare stabilization.
The Impact on Schools
The delay has left school districts in limbo. Without the promised funds, many districts are struggling to buy the necessary curriculum and hire literacy coaches. If the situation isn’t resolved soon, the full implementation of Act 20 by the 2024-25 school year could be at risk, impacting students statewide.
Conclusion
This ongoing standoff underscores the importance of prioritizing education over politics. Wisconsin’s children deserve the resources to build strong literacy skills, and resolving the funding dispute is critical to their future.
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