summary
Introduced
11/10/2025
11/10/2025
In Committee
11/20/2025
11/20/2025
Crossed Over
11/19/2025
11/19/2025
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award four-year grants to school boards that enter into a whole grade sharing agreement. Under the bill, DPI annually pays a grant recipient an amount equal to $500 per pupil enrolled in a grade included in the whole grade sharing agreement in the applicable school year. The bill also prohibits DPI from awarding a grant unless DPI determines that the amount appropriated for this purpose is sufficient to pay the total amount of all the grants that were awarded prior to that grant. In other words, DPI must determine that there is enough money to fully pay out existing grants before awarding a new grant. Under the bill, DPI must submit an annual report to the Joint Committee on Finance that includes which school boards received grants and how the money was used in the previous school year. Under current law, two or more school boards may enter into a whole grade sharing agreement, under which all or a substantial portion of the pupils enrolled in a specified grade in the participating school districts attend the specified grade in one of the participating school districts. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a grant program for school boards that enter into whole grade sharing agreements, where students from multiple school districts attend a specified grade level in one participating district. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will award four-year grants to eligible school boards, providing $500 per pupil enrolled in grades covered by the whole grade sharing agreement. Before awarding any new grants, DPI must first confirm that sufficient funds are available to pay the full amount of previously awarded grants. Grant recipients must submit annual reports to DPI detailing how the grant money was used, and DPI must then submit a comprehensive report to the Joint Committee on Finance describing the grants awarded and their use in the previous school year. This program aims to support school districts that collaborate to provide educational services more efficiently by sharing grade-level responsibilities across district boundaries.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (9)
David Armstrong (R)*,
Cindi Duchow (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Amanda Nedweski (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
Shannon Zimmerman (R)*,
Mary Felzkowski (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 12/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab647 |
| Fiscal Note - AB647: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab647/ab647_dpi.pdf |
| AB647 ROCP for Committee on Education | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/education/1953832.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB647.pdf |
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