Page 24 - 2019 Washington DC Trip Packet

Educational Services Center 527 S. Franklin St.  Janesville, WI 53548
Superintendent/Public Information Offices (608) 743-5000  FAX (608) 743-7491

Forward Janesville Policy Briefs – Education

Special Education Funding

Federal and state mandated special education costs continue to rise. Special education costs
currently account for $19.1m of the district’s $121.5m budget. Unfortunately, federal and state
funding for special education has remained flat for a decade. The federal government should
fund 40%, and state government 60% of special education costs. However, neither government
entity has ever fully funded the program. Mandated special education programming for the
2018-19 school year in the School District of Janesville was funded 17% ($3.2m) by federal
funds, 20% ($3.8m) by State of Wisconsin funds, and 63% ($12.1m) by the local funds. Federal
and state underfunding results in the district being forced to spend $12.1m of general funds
intended for all students to make up the funding shortfall for special education students. During
the 2017-18 school year the funding shortfall was $11.4m. We ask that our national
representatives support increased federal funding for special education.

Mission: To serve the community by educating every child
Web address: www.janesville.k12.wi.us