Evers announces $110 million education investment

MILWAUKEE (WKBT) — Gov. Tony Evers on Thursday announced a $110 million investment in education thanks to federal coronavirus relief funds.

The funding was part of the 2021-23 biennial budget. The goal is to provide investment into programming to help students in and out of the classroom, Evers says.

“Our kids and schools have faced unprecedented challenges during the coronavirus pandemic—from distance learning to reducing class sizes, to spending money that had been budgeted for pencils on PPE,” said Evers.

The $110 million investment will provide new funding for schools distributed on a per-pupil basis for an additional $133.72 in per pupil aid.

Evers and State Superintendent Jill Underly criticized Republicans in the state Legislature, saying the budget prepared by them did not do enough for Wisconsin schools.

“Due to the inaction by the majority in our Legislature, Wisconsin schools face a fiscal cliff after the federal COVID-19 relief runs out,” said Wisconsin State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly. “We’ve been raising the alarm since July that relying on one-time federal money that comes with significant strings attached comes nowhere near meeting the ongoing needs of our students, educators, or communities—particularly in a pandemic when we have additional costs on top of regular operating expenses. Governor Evers recognizes the need for flexible, per-pupil funding, and I am proud to stand by him as we put the needs of Wisconsin’s children first.”

Local investments include:

• $1.5 million for Eau Claire Area School District;
• $544,232 for Holmen Area School District;
• $822,500 for La Crosse School District;
• $368,126 for Onalaska School District;
• $411,718 for Sparta Area School District; and,
• $415,328 for Tomah Area School District.

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