Ellis proposes more education funding

A lawmaker from Neenah is proposing his own plan to increase funding for public schools.

Republican Senate President Mike Ellis wants to give schools an additional $150, per student, in each of the next two years. He says the cost of educating students is climbing, along with heating bills and maintenance costs. He says improving computers and technology also comes with a cost.

Ellis says the budget proposal would cost $382 million. He says he'd shift some funding around in the governor's budget, and allow districts to collect an extra $153 million in property taxes, over two years.

Ellis says that's about a $16 increase in the first year, for the owner of a $150,000 home, and an additional $15, in the second year. He says that's not an enourmous burden on property taxpayers.

Ellis says Republican Sen. Luther Olsen of Ripon is a co-sponsor of the plan, and they're talking with other Republicans, in hopes of generating support.

While the governor's proposed budget includes $130 million in additional public school funding, he didn't increase per-pupil spending levels, or the revenue caps.