School District of Menomonee Falls Legislative Priorities 1.25.21 BOE Approved - Flipbook - Page 1
2021-23 Public Policy & Legislative Priorities
To improve the academic success of our students and ensure the long-term sustainability of the District, the School
District of Menomonee Falls has identified the following legislative priorities to highlight the key statutory and
legislative pain points and help identify changes to state law and administrative rules.
Establish a Predictable and Sustainable K-12 Funding Model
Align annual revenue limit increases to the consumer price index (CPI) in order to establish dependable
levels of funding.
Allow districts to utilize the 2019-20 (Summer School and September) enrollments used for revenue limit
purposes if the enrollment count is greater than the 2020-21.
Include a minimum per-pupil aid in the State funding model to provide a baseline level of aid to all
districts.
Include local taxpayer protection in any future funding model.
Allow local control over unfunded mandates and increase the transparency of the costs (see full list
attached).
Increase transparency of the local school district levy components on local property tax bills (school
district levy, voucher school levy, and impact of School Tax Levy Credit).
Establish a School Safety Revenue Limit Exemption
Provide a limited-term revenue limit exemption for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years for funding
safety and security improvements at each of our schools including expanding our existing student mental
health services and partnerships.
Increase Funding for High Needs Students
Increase the current level of funding for students with disabilities to at least 40% of costs for the 2021-23
biennium with a longer-term goal of at least 60% of related costs. Current aidable special education costs
total just over $7 million. Increasing aid from 30% to 40% of those costs would provide SDMF with
$700,000 of additional aid decreasing the local cost of special education to $4.2 million.
Provide 100% State funding support for individual student costs exceeding $30,000 per school year.
Provide for Local Control and Accountability
Allow local School Boards to set an academic calendar that meets the needs of local students and
community. A calendar that best supports the education of students should take a priority over outside
factors.
Apply mandates and flexibility equally to all schools (public and private) receiving local and state tax
dollars.