Wisconsin PTA sues state legislature over inadequate funding
Overview
The Wisconsin PTA, joined by parents, students, educators, and school districts, has filed a major lawsuit against the Wisconsin Legislature, claiming the state’s school‑funding system violates the Wisconsin Constitution by failing to provide an adequate, tuition‑free public education.
Legal Basis
According to Law Forward attorney Jeff Mandell, the complaint includes six constitutional claims:
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Four under Article X, Section 3 — requiring the Legislature to maintain uniform, practicable, tuition‑free public schools for ages 4–20
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One under Article I, Section I — the equal‑protection clause, arguing the system disproportionately harms students with disabilities, English‑language learners, and those in poverty
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One under Article I, Section 22 — guaranteeing a “free government,” asserting that sustained underfunding undermines Wisconsin’s democratic foundation
Mandell summarized the case as asking the court to tell lawmakers: “This totally missed the mark — try again.”
Context and Data
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Wisconsin’s funding ratio fell from 2‑to‑1 (state : local) in the 1990s to about 1.1‑to‑1 today.
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Adjusted for inflation, the state spends roughly $2 billion less annually on public schools than in 2009.
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Revenue limits have not kept pace with inflation.
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Some districts report single‑digit proficiency rates among certain student groups; Beloit notes 13 % of students experiencing homelessness.
Historical Reference
This is the first major challenge to Wisconsin’s school‑finance system in over two decades, following Vincent v. Voight (2000), where the Supreme Court upheld the system’s constitutionality.
Mandell argues the current case focuses on adequacy, not just equity — claiming nearly all districts now lack sufficient funds.
Mandell’s Closing Point
“The schools have been held together by the truly heroic efforts of everyone in the system,” Mandell said. “But they’re not Rumpelstiltskin. They can’t turn straw into gold.”