AEF is pleased to release an updated map of revenue limits for all districts in Wisconsin. In January, 2022, we released the map of revenue limits for that school year, showing the unfair and unequal funding for each student.

In the 2024-2025 map, you see significant improvement. AEF appeared at every public hearing of the Joint Finance Committee this spring. We proposed a $1500 increase in the low revenue ceiling, and we got $1000. We met with key legislators and staff members. We shared research, and talked about the challenges of low revenue districts in ways that are difficult for district leaders to do. We helped create an opportunity. We were thrilled to discover that an additional $325 per pupil increase in 2024-25 applies to all districts. That was a huge win for low revenue districts.

The updated map (click here for a high resolution version) shows progress by the end of the biennium: 255 districts in light green will be at the low revenue amount, and another 103 districts in dark green fall within 10% of that amount. In other words, 85% of districts (358/421) will get funding within 10% of the base. That’s a much more equitable system. But there is more work to be done. Districts in blue are getting between 10-25% more funding per pupil. Districts “in the black” are still getting $325 more per pupil in both years of the budget, pushing their revenues more than 25% over low revenue districts! Our 2025-2027 budget request will be simple: lift up from the bottom again.

As the title suggests, there is more work to be done. On Wisconsin!