summary
Introduced
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
In Committee
11/14/2025
11/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to award a contract to an entity to conduct a study of school districts in this state that covers topics such as school district boundaries, potential school district consolidations, existing school district facilities, staffing levels and salary scales, the population of school-age children in each school district, and revenue limits and current overall spending. Under the bill, the entity that conducts the study must submit a report to DPI on its findings that includes 1) recommendations for changes to school district boundaries; 2) the conditions of existing school district facilities in each school district in this state; 3) the current population of school-age children in each school district and a 10-year projection of the same; and 4) recommendations for school district consolidations that promote efficiency and are geographically feasible and economically viable. Additionally, for each school district consolidation recommended in the report, the entity must include various information, including the estimated enrollment of the school district, the cities, village, and towns located within the school district, and the location of and grade levels served by each existing school building located in the school district. DPI must submit the report to the legislature. Finally, the bill requires DPI to submit a request to JCF for supplemental funding to accomplish the duties described above. For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-5430/1 FFK:cjs&skw 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 655
AI Summary
This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to contract with an external entity to conduct a comprehensive study of school districts in the state. The study will examine multiple aspects of school districts, including boundaries, geographic consolidation barriers, existing facilities, population distribution, staffing levels, demographics, revenue, property taxes, and transportation. The contracted entity must submit a detailed report to DPI within 10 months of the contract, which must include recommendations for improving school district boundaries, assessing facility conditions, analyzing current and projected school-age populations, and proposing potential school district consolidations that are geographically and economically feasible. For each recommended consolidation, the report must provide specific details such as estimated student enrollment, municipal boundaries, school building locations and grade levels, and property values. After receiving the report, DPI is required to submit it to the Joint Committee on Finance and appropriate legislative standing committees. Additionally, the bill mandates that DPI submit a funding request to the Joint Committee on Finance by July 1, 2026, to secure supplemental funding necessary to complete this study.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (11)
Romaine Quinn (R)*,
David Armstrong (R),
Cindi Duchow (R),
Nate Gustafson (R),
Joel Kitchens (R),
Scott Krug (R),
Clint Moses (R),
Dave Murphy (R),
Jerry O'Connor (R),
William Penterman (R),
Shannon Zimmerman (R),
Last Action
Fiscal estimate received (on 11/21/2025)
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/sen/bill/sb655 |
| Fiscal Note - SB655: Fiscal Estimate From DPI | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/related/fe/sb655/sb655_dpi.pdf |
| BillText | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/proposaltext/2025/REG/SB655.pdf |
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