In the 2008-2009 school year there were 860,477 students enrolled in Wisconsin public schools students were enrolled in. The average cost per child was $10,549. Adding in district costs for transportation, facilities, food and community service, the cost per student rose to $12,346.

Rising Costs

Each year the cost per student continues to rise and, historically, local tax levies and state funds would fill the gap in rising costs. But those days are gone. While the revenue cap put on school spending has grown about 2.5% each year, the actual cost to schools for maintaining education and services has risen 4%. Schools are cutting budgets, deferring maintenance and laying off educators to fill the gap.

While federal stimulus dollars are filling the gap, the Economic Policy Institute predicts a bleak picture for the financial state of education through 2012:

"Widening state and local budget shortfalls present a ticking time bomb for the economy. If they are not addressed, state and local governments will be forced to accelerate layoffs, reduce pay, reduce services, and raise taxes and fees. These moves create a drag on the economy, weaken the recovery, and result in the loss of millions of public and private-sector jobs."