summary
Introduced
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
In Committee
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/23/2026
03/23/2026
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Under current law, a newly consolidated school district is eligible for consolidation aid for seven school years beginning in the school year in which the consolidation takes effect. Currently, in each of the first five years following a consolidation, the Department of Public Instruction must pay the consolidated school district $150 per pupil enrolled in the school district. In the sixth year after consolidation, DPI must pay the consolidated school district an amount equal to 50 percent of what the school district received in the fifth year, and in the seventh year, DPI must pay the consolidated school district an amount equal to 25 percent of what the school district received in the fifth year. Under current law, consolidation aid is funded by a sum sufficient appropriation. For a school district consolidation that takes effect in 2026, 2027, or 2028, this bill increases the aid for the school year in which the consolidation takes effect to $2,000 per pupil enrolled in the consolidated school district. Under the bill, the consolidation aid amounts in the subsequent six school years following the consolidation remain the same as under current law. LRB-5425/1 FFK:ajk&wlj 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 656 For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.
AI Summary
This bill modifies state aid provisions for school district consolidations that occur in 2026, 2027, or 2028, specifically increasing the initial consolidation aid from $150 to $2,000 per pupil in the first year of consolidation. Currently, when school districts consolidate, they receive state aid of $150 per pupil for the first five years, followed by reduced aid in the sixth and seventh years (50% and 25% of the fifth year's amount, respectively). The bill maintains the existing aid structure for years two through five after consolidation, only changing the first-year aid amount for consolidations in the specified three-year period. The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will continue to calculate and distribute this aid based on pupil enrollment, with the aim of providing additional financial support to encourage and facilitate school district consolidations during those specific years. This change is designed to provide a more substantial initial financial incentive for school districts considering consolidation, potentially helping to address challenges related to district size, resource allocation, and educational efficiency.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (10)
Romaine Quinn (R)*,
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),
Last Action
Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1 (on 03/23/2026)
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/sen/bill/sb656 |
| Senate Amendment 1 | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/amends/2025/REG/SB656-SA1.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB656: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb656/sb656_dpi.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB656.pdf |
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