July 1 general aid estimate released

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction today released an estimate of the general school aids each public school district will receive for the 2024-25 school year. General school aids are the largest form of state support for Wisconsin public schools, offsetting local property taxes under state-imposed revenue limits. Wisconsin statutes require the department to publish estimated aid amounts by July 1 each year.

 

The current estimate is based on the 2023-25 biennial budget and pupil count and budget data reported by school districts to the DPI. Due to previously reported delays in financial data reporting by Milwaukee Public Schools, the DPI anticipates greater than usual volatility in these estimates. Figures used in this estimate may change by a greater than usual amount for the certification of general school aids, which takes place by Oct. 15, 2024. The department therefore encourages caution when utilizing this estimate. The DPI will provide more information if it learns more about potential significant, unexpected adjustments to this estimate in the intervening months.

 

Estimated general school aids for 2024-25 total $5.58 billion, representing an increase of 4.2 percent from 2023-24. Payments to districts will increase an estimated $234.3 million because of two factors: 1) an increase of $224.9 million per the state budget as passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature; and 2) the decrease in the required Milwaukee Public Schools funding for the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program due to statutory changes.

 

Of the state’s 421 school districts, 68.6 percent (289 districts) are currently estimated to receive more general aids than in 2023-24, while 29.5 percent of districts (124) are estimated to receive less; eight districts are estimated to have no change in aid between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 fiscal years. Sixty-four districts are currently estimated to receive the maximum 15 percent decrease under the state’s hold harmless aid provision.

 

A district's general aids can increase or decrease due to changes in any of the three local factors comprising Wisconsin's general equalization aid formula — property valuation, enrollment, and shared costs — as well as a difference in funds available from the state. A summary of the 2023-24 general aid eligibility adjustment can be found in this workbook. Additional information on aid payment adjustments can be found on the DPI’s website.

 

District aid estimates can be found on the department’s School Financial Services website in the general aids section. Estimates are available as “Summary by Alphabet” and “Summary by Percent.” The department’s July 1 aid estimate does not include per pupil categorical aid, which will be based on student membership from the 2024-25, 2023-24, and 2022-23 school years (third Friday in September count). Per pupil aid will be paid in March 2025; under current law, it will be paid at $742 per pupil.