Oostburg School District
Growing Together
How state aid, property values, and local taxes come together to support our schools.
Wisconsin’s funding system can be complicated. These short videos and resources break down the key pieces and explain what they mean for the Oostburg School District and our community.
In this video, we explain how rising property values, declining resident enrollment, and changes in school spending across Wisconsin affect the amount of state aid OSD receives and why that can shift more of the school funding burden to local taxpayers. We’re continuing to work with our local legislators and others across Wisconsin to better understand the system and advocate for a funding approach that works for our district and communities across the state. A related story from Channel 58 is included in the comments for those who would like to learn more.
Have additional questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
Our schools receive funding from state aid, local property taxes, and other sources. Wisconsin limits the combined amount of general state aid and certain local property taxes we can collect. Federal funds, grants, open enrollment, and fees also support our schools, although some of that money is reserved for specific uses.
*Applies to select property tax levies, including general operations.
State aid and local taxes help pay for the same school budget. When state aid decreases, local taxpayers cover more of the cost. That means a higher school tax bill may replace money previously provided by the state, with little additional funding available for our schools.
More support from the state
Same total funding
Less support from the state
Same total funding
Illustration only. General state aid and taxes within the revenue limit; other funding excluded. Proportions do not represent actual district funding.
Our costs rise just as household costs do. Wisconsin’s funding increases have not consistently kept pace with inflation. Since 2008–09, annual resources per student have increased about $2,442, compared with $6,013 under the state’s former inflation indexing method. That leaves an annual difference of about $3,571 per student.
For a district serving 1,000 students, that difference is about $3.57 million a year. The chart below adds that amount to Oostburg’s $20.63 million expenditure budget to show its scale. We continue to look for efficiencies while working to maintain the staffing, programs, and services our students need.
This illustrates the statewide funding gap, not Oostburg’s actual lost revenue. The $3.57 million represents one year of resources, not losses added together across multiple years.
When state aid decreases, local taxpayers cover more of the same school budget. In Oostburg, about $500,000 shifted from state aid to local property taxes in 2025–26, followed by a similar shift in 2026–27. Together, those reductions leave local taxpayers responsible for about $1 million more each year than in 2024–25, without adding that amount to what the district can spend.
| STATE GENERAL AID | LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES | ||
| 2025-26 | About $500,000 less Compared with 2024-25 |
→ | About $500,000 more Compared with 2024-25 |
| 2026-27 | About $500,000 less Compared with 2025-26 |
→ | About $500,000 more Compared with 2025-26 |
Paid locally in 2026-27 compared with 2024-25, due to these two aid reductions.
Rounded figures from district budget discussions. This graphic isolates the state aid shift; voucher costs, district revenue changes, and other levy factors are separate.
School property taxes have increased, but very little of those increases provides additional funding for Oostburg schools. Here is where the increases come from.
10.37% school tax levy increase
What makes up the increase?
| 8.13 | 1.45 | 0.79 |
? 8.13 points - State aid shifted to taxpayers (Caused by Funding Formula)
? 1.45 points - Projected increase in voucher costs
? 0.79 points - Additional funding for Oostburg schools
Only 0.79 percentage points of this year's 10.37% increase support additional district funding.
6.15% school tax levy increase
Before the prepayment reduction: 10.85 points of upward pressure
| 8.10 | 2.50 |
? 8.10 points - State aid shifted to taxpayers (Caused by Funding Formula)
? 2.50 points - Increase in voucher costs
? 0.25 points - Additional funding for Oostburg schools
District prepayment reduction: -4.70 points
| -4.70 |
Only 0.25 percentage points supported additional district funding. The prepayment reduction lowered the levy increase from 10.85% to 6.15%.
17.16% compounded school tax levy increase
Across both years, the annual levy comparisons show the same pattern:
State aid shifts: 16.23 points (8.10 + 8.13) (Caused by Funding Formula)
Voucher costs: 3.95 points (2.50 + 1.45)
Additional district funding: 1.04 points (0.25 + 0.79)
? -4.70 points from the 2025-26 prepayment reduction.
Taxpayers are paying considerably more, but only a small share of the increase provides additional funding for Oostburg schools.
The component figures above add two annual percentage-point comparisons with different starting levies. They should not be added to calculate the compounded 17.16% two-year levy change.
We need to work with our state legislators to increase funding for public education through the school funding formula, so schools can meet rising costs without shifting more of the burden to local taxpayers.
Figures reflect districtwide levy changes, not necessarily changes to individual property tax bills. Annual contributions are in percentage points. Voucher costs for 2026-27 are projected.
Find the state legislators who represent your home and view contact information for Wisconsin education and executive offices.
Oostburg School District boundary. Your home location determines your legislators. Confirm your exact address.
These leaders serve all Wisconsin residents. The State Superintendent leads the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).
Head of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Contact about: statewide education policy, DPI programs, and how state education requirements and funding programs are administered.
dpistatesuperintendent@dpi.wi.gov608-266-3390
Elected November 2026 - incoming governor
Contact about: statewide policy, the state budget, and questions for the incoming administration.
Interim contacts below are publicly listed campaign contacts. They are not yet the governor's official office contacts.
info@crowleyforwi.com414-253-8036 (campaign contact)
Need help from the current governor's office? Tony Evers remains governor until the January transition. Contact the current administration or call 608-266-1212.
Responsibilities: The Legislature considers state laws and the state budget. The governor proposes a budget and signs or vetoes legislation. DPI administers education programs under state law.