Contact: Tom Evenson, (608) 266-2839
Madison – Governor Scott Walker and Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver today visited Bradley Technology High School to tour the school and speak with students, teachers, and administrators. The visit was an opportunity for Governor Walker to focus on the K-12 education investments included in his state budget proposal. Highlights include $649 million in new state aids for all Wisconsin K-12 schools, including a $509.2 million increase in per-pupil categorical aid.
“We are using the Reform Dividend to make a historic investment for all public schools,” Governor Walker said. “If the Legislature passes what we recommended for K-12 education, it would lift funding to an all-time high. Our budget also makes a number of key investments in things like performance-based funding, summer school, and mental health services that specifically support Milwaukee Public Schools. I thank Dr. Driver and all the students, faculty, and staff at Bradley Technology High School for allowing us to come by during their busy school day.”
Milwaukee Public Schools is estimated to receive approximately $1.32 billion in funding from the state under Governor Walker’s biennial budget, including:
- An increase of more than $47.3 million in Per Pupil Aid. The governor’s budget increases per-pupil funding by $200 in Fiscal Year 2018 and $204 per pupil in Fiscal Year 2019 – the largest increase since the 2005-2007 biennium.
Additional Support for Milwaukee Schools
- The Governor’s budget will support schools in Milwaukee by providing performance funding, and target investments in Milwaukee Public Schools in Summer School programming and mental health support.
- The budget will provide $5.6 million in performance-based funding to reward schools in Milwaukee (public, choice, or charter) that improve student outcomes. Schools that improve their performance on state report cards by 3 points or have a 4- or 5- star rating will receive a $100 per pupil bonus.
- The budget will provide $500,000 in funding to support Families and Schools Together (FAST), a program that provides wraparound mental health counseling and services to children and families attending struggling schools.
- The budget will provide $2.8 million to Milwaukee Public Schools to increase Summer School participation.
To learn more about Governor Walker’s proposed investment in K-12 education, click here. For Governor Walker’s full 2017 Budget Address, click here.
