Like any budget that is a result of compromise in divided government, there are positive and negative aspects. But one definite positive to come from this year’s budget agreement is the continued closing of the spending gap between private, charter, and traditional public schools.
Without getting too deep into the weeds, a number of factors came together to increase funding. First, there is a categorical aid in Wisconsin known as “Per Pupil Aid.” Governor Evers’ 400-year veto—which WILL fought against—was deemed to be legal by the state Supreme Court. This funding is also provided to private choice and independent charter schools in the state, leading to an annual $325 increase in funding. While this does represent new funding each year, it merely maintains parity with the increases public schools also receive. But also included in the budget were increases that were included in several motions approved by the Joint Committee on Finance. The committee approved Motion 48 and Motion 130, which added $135 and $174 respectively per pupil choice and charter funding in 2025, and both contributed$103 in net new funding in 2026. All of these factors are listed in the table below.
For the upcoming 2025-26 school year, K-8 voucher schools will have about $10,871 per student while high schools will have $13,365. Independent charter schools will have $12,363. Note that there are other forms of charter schools in Wisconsin that contract with school districts directly and are not directly impacted by these budget provisions. Their funding amounts are set in their contract, though they have often been tied to the independent charter school level historically.
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Madison taxpayers have long spent far more than most k-12 systems (currently +25k per student), this despite long term, disastrous reading results.