SJR27: Joint Resolution Text

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2007 - 2008 LEGISLATURE

2007 Senate JOINT RESOLUTION 27

March 13, 2007 - Introduced by Senators Breske, Carpenter, Coggs, Erpenbach, Hansen, Lassa, Lehman, Miller, Plale, Risser, Sullivan, Taylor, Vinehout, Wirch and Ellis, cosponsored by Representatives Pope-Roberts, Sherman, Toles, Benedict, Berceau, Black, Boyle, Colon, Cullen, Fields, Garthwaite, Grigsby, Gronemus, Hebl, Hilgenberg, Hintz, Hixson, Hraychuck, Hubler, Jorgensen, Kessler, Kreuser, Molepske, Nelson, Parisi, Pocan, Richards, Schneider, Seidel, Sheridan, Shilling, Sinicki, Smith, Soletski, Staskunas, Steinbrink, Travis, Turner, Van Akkeren, Vruwink, Wasserman, A. Williams, Young and Zepnick. Referred to Committee on Education.

SJR27,1,2 Relating to: calling for changes to the state's public school funding formula to be enacted by July 1, 2009.

SJR27,1,6 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

SJR27,1,9 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

SJR27,1,12 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

SJR27,2,2 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

SJR27,2,4 Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That a new school finance system should be in place beginning on July 1, 2009; and, be it further

SJR27,2,7 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:

SJR27,2,10 1. Funding levels based on the actual cost of what is needed to provide children with a sound education and to operate effective schools and classrooms rather than based on arbitrary per pupil spending levels;

SJR27,2,13 2. State resources sufficient to satisfy state and federal mandates and to prepare all children, regardless of their circumstances, for citizenship and for post-secondary education, employment, or service to their country;

SJR27,2,18 3. Additional resources and flexibility sufficient to meet special circumstances, including student circumstances such as non-English speaking students 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;

SJR27,2,21 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

SJR27,2,24 Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to the governor of Wisconsin and the cochairs of the joint committee on finance.

SJR27,2,25 (End)