Gov. Evers Celebrates Public Schools Week, Highlights 2023-25 Budget Plan to Do What's Best for Kids

Statement

In his 2023-25 Biennial Budget Message, Gov. Evers outlined his plan to invest in K-12 schools and do what's best for kids:

"I'm also here to tell you that the way we're funding our schools isn't sustainable, either. We need to change that, too. Budgets reflect our priorities, which is why every budget I've ever built began with doing what's best for our kids. This one is no different.

"Now, let's remember where we started. Four years ago, we hadn't seen the largest per pupil revenue limit adjustment or the largest nominal increase in general aid in a decade; in 10 years, not one additional cent had been invested in special education aid; and if I hadn't been here as governor to use my veto pen and take unilateral action, per pupil aid wouldn't have increased by more than $300 per student.

"So, we've accomplished a lot. And I'm proud of our work. But I've also spent four years asking some people in this building to do more. And I've heard those same people suggest time and again that because of our previous budgets and federal pandemic aid, our kids and our schools have already received enough. I'd like to respond to that tonight.

"On Monday this week, the CDC released its Youth Risk Behavior Survey report. Here's what the data show: in 2021, more than 40 percent of high school students felt so sad or hopeless nearly every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities. One in 10 students attempted suicide. One in five students seriously considered attempting suicide.

"And the statistics are especially bleak for teen girls and LGTBQ students. Nearly 60 percent of teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless--double the rate for teen boys. Nearly a third of teen girls seriously considered attempting suicide--think about that, that's one in three teen girls. And about 70 percent of LGBTQ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. More than 20 percent of LGBTQ students attempted suicide.

"No one who has the privilege of working in this building can read these statistics and say with a straight face that we're already doing enough. Folks, "enough' will be enough when these are not the statistics we're reading about our kids in the news. It's time to get serious.

"As a governor who's also a grandfather, tonight I am calling on the Legislature to join me in doing what's best for our kids by approving the largest increase in K-12 schools and education in state history.

"I've said before, and I'll say again tonight: our kids can only achieve their full and best potential when they can bring their full and best selves to the classroom. If we want to have a chance at improving our kids' outcomes, then we have to shorten the odds.

"We can start by addressing the statistics I just read to you. Let's make sure every kid in Wisconsin has access to school-based mental health services through our "Get Kids Ahead" initiative. It's the Year of Mental Health, folks. I know we can get this done.

"Here's another easy step we can take: let's make sure kids aren't hungry--yes, ever, but especially at school. My plan is simple: fully fund universal school breakfasts and lunches so that every kid can be focused on their schoolwork and not when or whether they'll eat next.

"These are basic steps we can take to help improve outcomes for our kids so they can come to class coursework-ready. Coupled with our investments and initiatives to bolster our educator pipeline to keep class sizes small and improve financial literacy, math, and reading outcomes across our state, we're going to make sure our kids are ready for success.

"And we're also going to make sure our kids have the skills and tools they need to join the 21st Century workforce we're working to build together. So, I'm going to deliver on my pledge to improve access to computer science education in Wisconsin with a $10 million investment to bolster computer science education across our state, including requiring high schools to provide this critical instruction. …"

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