End of Regular Session Brings Closure to Key Education ProposalsBy Dee Pettack, Executive Director, School Administrators Alliance On Tuesday, March 17, the Wisconsin State Senate convened for its final day of the regular floor period, effectively bringing the 2025–26 legislative session to a close. Several bills that the School Administrators Alliance (SAA) had been actively tracking, many of which would have had significant implications for schools and students, were not included on the Senate’s final calendar. As a result, these proposals are now considered dead for the remainder of this legislative session. Similar legislation would need to be reintroduced when the next Legislature convenes in January 2027. Among the proposals that will not advance this session are:
While these proposals will not move forward this year, SAA will continue to monitor whether similar concepts re-emerge in future sessions. A comprehensive end-of-session legislative summary will be provided to SAA members later this week. Although the regular session has concluded, legislative activity may not be finished. The Legislature could still reconvene in a special or extraordinary session to determine how to allocate the state’s $2.5 billion surplus. This ongoing discussion presents a critical opportunity for school leaders to continue their advocacy efforts. SAA encourages members to contact their legislators and urge support for the approximately $200 million needed to fulfill the state’s commitment to increase special education reimbursement rates to 42% and 45%. Importantly, this provision has been included in proposals from both sides of the negotiations. Fulfilling the commitment made in the last state budget should remain a top priority for policymakers. Continued engagement will be essential to ensure this investment stays at the forefront as final decisions are made.
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