With no increase in the state’s general school aid appropriation included in the 2025-27 biennial budget, school districts will continue to operate without additional state general aid in the next fiscal year. The general aid appropriation remains at $5.58 billion for the third consecutive year, leaving the state to redistribute the same level of funding among districts through Wisconsin’s equalization aid formula. Prior to this biennium, the last time general aid appropriation did not increase was in 2017-18. More information on the complex way public schools are funded in Wisconsin is available in this YouTube video. 

Based on the estimate released today, 59.9 percent of Wisconsin’s school districts (252 districts) are projected to receive less general aid for 2026-27 than they did in 2025-26, while 38 percent (160 districts) are estimated to receive more and nine are expected to see no change. In addition, 92 districts are estimated to receive a 15 percent decrease in aid, which is the maximum decrease allowable under the state’s hold harmless aid provision. 

The estimate released today is based on 2025-26 budgeted dollars submitted by school districts and allows districts to develop their 2026-27 fiscal year budget. The DPI will certify general school aid amounts based on 2025-26 actual data on Oct. 15, 2026. 

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. A district's general aids can increase or decrease due to changes in funds available from the state as well as changes in any of the three local factors comprising Wisconsin's general equalization aid formula: property valuation, enrollment, and shared costs. A summary of 2025-26 general aid eligibility adjustments 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 by alphabetical order and by percentage change. The department’s July 1 aid estimate does not include per pupil categorical aid, which will be based on student membership from the 2026-27, 2025-26, and 2024-25 school years (third Friday in September count). Per pupil aid will be paid in March 2027 and under current law, it will continue to be paid at the $742 per pupil level. 

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