AJR94: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-4513/1

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2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 94

March 14, 2006 - Introduced by Representatives Pope-Roberts, Sherman, Lehman, Toles, Berceau, Black, Fields, Grigsby, Hebl, Kessler, Kreuser, Molepske, Nelson, Pocan, Parisi, Richards, Seidel, Sheridan, Shilling, Sinicki, Van Akkeren, Vruwink, Wasserman, Turner and Zepnick, cosponsored by Senators Breske and Carpenter. Referred to Committee on Education.

AJR94,1,2 Relating to: calling for changes to the state's public school funding formula to be enacted by July 1, 2007.

AJR94,1,6 Whereas, article X, section 3, of the Wisconsin Constitution, as interpreted by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Vincent v. Voight, 236 Wis. 2d 588 (2000), requires the state to provide each child with "an equal opportunity for a sound basic education"; and

AJR94,1,9 Whereas, some school districts are on the brink of dissolution in part due to declining enrollment and the significant financial restraints imposed by a school aid formula that determines school district revenue limits on a per pupil basis; and

AJR94,1,12 Whereas, some of the lowest income areas in the state are burdened with the highest property taxes because the state school aid formula is based upon property values; and

AJR94,2,2 Whereas, school districts must seek the approval of the electors at a referendum in order to comply with state and federal education mandates instead of being able to invest local resources in programs that provide students with optional educational opportunities beyond the minimum requirements; now, therefore, be it

AJR94,2,4 Resolved by the assembly, the senate concurring, That a new school finance system should be in place beginning on July 1, 2007; and, be it further

AJR94,2,7 Resolved, That in order to meet the requirements of the Wisconsin Constitution and state and federal laws, the new school finance system should have the following key components:

AJR94,2,9 1. Funding levels based on what is needed to operate efficient, effective schools and classrooms rather than based on arbitrary per pupil measures;

AJR94,2,12 2. State resources sufficient to prepare all children, regardless of their circumstances, for post-secondary education, employment, and citizenship and to satisfy state and federal mandates;

AJR94,2,17 3. Additional resources and flexibility sufficient to meet special circumstances, including student circumstances such as non-English speaking students; students with physical, mental, or social health needs; and students from low-income households, and district circumstances such as large geographic size; low population density; low family income; and significant changes in enrollment;

AJR94,2,20 4. A combination of state funds and a reduced level of local property taxes, derived and distributed in a manner that treats all taxpayers equitably regardless of local property wealth and income; and, be it further

AJR94,2,23 Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to the governor of Wisconsin and the cochairs of the joint committee on finance.

AJR94,2,24 (End)