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WI AB645
WI AB645Grants for feasibility studies of school district consolidation or whole grade sharing. (FE)
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
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award grants to reimburse consortia of two or more school boards for up to $25,000 of the costs of a feasibility study for school district consolidation or a whole grade sharing agreement. The bill specifies that a professional financial analysis, which may include a population study, of the effects of consolidation or whole grade sharing on the school districts, is eligible for reimbursement under the grant program. Under the bill, to be eligible for a grant for a feasibility study, each school board in a consortium must demonstrate that it has adopted a resolution to consider school district consolidation. Current law provides additional funding to a consolidated school district during the first seven years after consolidation. Current law does not provide funding for feasibility studies or other costs to school districts that are considering school district consolidation or whole grade sharing. 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 through the Department of Public Instruction to help school districts explore potential consolidation or whole grade sharing arrangements. Specifically, the bill allows consortia of two or more school boards to receive up to $25,000 in reimbursement for conducting feasibility studies that analyze the potential financial and demographic impacts of merging districts or sharing grades. To be eligible for the grant, each school board in the consortium must have adopted an official resolution expressing interest in exploring consolidation. The grants will be awarded biennially from a new appropriation in the department's budget, and can cover professional financial analyses and population studies that examine how a potential consolidation or whole grade sharing agreement might affect the participating school districts. This legislation aims to provide financial support to school districts considering structural changes that could potentially improve operational efficiency or educational outcomes, by offsetting the upfront costs of conducting thorough, professional studies before making any final decisions about district reorganization.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
David Armstrong (R)*,
Cindi Duchow (R)*,
Nate Gustafson (R)*,
Joel Kitchens (R)*,
Dave Murphy (R)*,
Amanda Nedweski (R)*,
Jerry O'Connor (R)*,
David Steffen (R)*,
Shannon Zimmerman (R)*,
Rob Hutton (R),
Last Action
Read first time and referred to committee on Education (on 11/20/2025)
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/ab645 |
| Fiscal Note - AB645: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/ab645/ab645_dpi.pdf |
| Assembly Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/AB645-AA1.pdf |
| AB645 ROCP for Committee on Education | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/records/assembly/education/1953830.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/AB645.pdf |
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