Wisconsin Schools Face Funding and Staffing Challenges

September 25, 2026 - 22:35

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly delivered her annual State of Education address, outlining the current condition of Wisconsin's public school system. Her remarks focused on the pressures facing districts across the state, including budget shortfalls, teacher shortages, and the ongoing debate over how schools are funded.

Underly pointed to a widening gap between what schools are expected to provide and the resources they receive. Many districts have been forced to cut programs, delay maintenance, and reduce staff as costs rise faster than revenue. Rural and urban systems alike report difficulty filling positions in special education, math, and science.

The address also touched on student mental health, early literacy, and the need for stable long-term funding rather than short-term fixes. Underly argued that inconsistent support from the state legislature has left local communities to patch holes with referendums, which often pass or fail based on local wealth.

Critics of the current system say the state should rethink how it distributes aid, especially as enrollment declines in some areas and grows in others. Parents and teachers have raised concerns about class sizes and access to counselors.

Underly closed by calling for a serious, fact-based conversation about what Wisconsin values in its schools. She said the state cannot claim to support children while underfunding the institutions that serve them.