School Information System

Wisconsin property tax levies see biggest jump in nearly 20 years

WBAY news staff:

A new report shows Wisconsin property tax levies saw their biggest jump in nearly 20 years.

According to the Wisconsin Policy Forum, levies are up 5.8% on the latest bills. The state’s total property value has now topped $1 trillion.

Democratic candidate David Crowley said, “I’ve delivered for working Wisconsin families that includes lowering property taxes and making housing and childcare more affordable and accessible. I will consider the long-term investments we can make and work with the legislature to bring costs down for all Wisconsinites.”

Republican candidate Tom Tiffany said, “Lowering property taxes will be one of my top priorities as governor. On day one, I will call a special session to end the 400-year property tax hike and give Wisconsin homeowners certainty that their property taxes won’t keep climbing year after year.”

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2025-2026 Madison 4k-3rd grade Early Literacy Screener report: The bar moves faster than the kids. 

Joe Gothard, Becky Kundert and Sonia Spencer Remarks on Madison’s K-12 Literacy Crisis.

2026-2027 Madison K-12 $pending continues to grow, fueled by a 9.7% (!) property tax increase. Total spending will be at least $706,000,000 for 25,003 students, or $28,236 per student.

May 2026 Madison School District Presentation: 7,095 adults for 25,003 students (3.52 students per adult!)

2024-2025 Early Literacy Screener Map.

Map: Foundations of Reading Results: 2015–2024

Where have all the students gone?

MoreAct 20.

3,887 Madison 4 year old to third grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group.

application bloat

Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average k-12 tax & $pending. This despite our long term, disastrous reading results. May, 2026: 7,095 Staff for 25,003 students; $pending > $26k per student!

Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability

The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery

The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic.

A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”

My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results

2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results 

Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.

“An emphasis on adult employment”

Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]

WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators

Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results

Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.

When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?

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