Reaction to school funding proposal

GREEN BAY - A new proposal could mean millions more for schools over the next two years, but it could also mean more out of your pocket.

The state superintendent announced his plan Monday.

School aid would increase more than $600 million under a new plan by state superintendent Tony Evers.

"It makes long overdue changes to the funding format, maximizes existing resources, increases transparency and importantly sets the stage for future support in years of going forward," Evers explained.

The plan would increase overall aid to schools 2.4 percent in the 2013 school year and 5.5 percent the following year.

But there's a catch.

The plan would shift a popular $900 million school levy tax credit program into the pot of money available for schools.

The tax credit shows up every December on property tax bills.

"Right now, people's budgets, people's checkbooks, their pocket books, financially we're in a stressful time," explained Brown County Taxpayers president Richard Parins.

Parins says it's not the right time for increased taxes and wishes each community had more of a say.

However the state superintendent says the shift would ensure there is enough funding to keep property taxes flat over the next two years, offsetting the loss of the tax credit on homeowners' bills.

But before anything moves forward, the plan must be approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Walker.

Evers introduced a similar proposal two years ago. However, his idea died in the Legislature.

Will things be different this time around?

Governor Scott Walker's office didn't really say either way.

His press secretary released this statement:

"Governor Walker appreciates Superintendent Evers' work on the budget proposal. DPI's budget request is just the first step. Each agency's request, including DPI's, will be considered in the scope of the entire state budget. With that said, transforming education is one of Governor Walker's top budget priorities. The Governor will work to build off of the work done with Superintendent Evers on school district accountability and Read to Lead as he creates the first version of the state budget, which will be introduced early next year."