School Funding
School Funding
How state aid, property values, and local taxes come together to support our schools.
Wisconsin’s funding system can be complicated. These short videos and resources break down the key pieces and explain what they mean for the Oostburg School District and our community.
Why OSD Is Receiving Less State Aid This Year
In this video, we explain how rising property values, declining resident enrollment, and changes in school spending across Wisconsin affect the amount of state aid OSD receives and why that can shift more of the school funding burden to local taxpayers. We’re continuing to work with our local legislators and others across Wisconsin to better understand the system and advocate for a funding approach that works for our district and communities across the state. A related story from Channel 58 is included in the comments for those who would like to learn more.
School Finance 101
Have additional questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help!
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How is the Oostburg School District funded?
Our schools receive funding from state aid, local property taxes, and other sources. Wisconsin limits the combined amount of general state aid and certain local property taxes we can collect. Federal funds, grants, open enrollment, and fees also support our schools, although some of that money is reserved for specific uses.
General
state aid+Local
property taxesCombined under a state revenue limit*+ Other funding
Federal funds • Grants • Open enrollment • Fees*Applies to select property tax levies, including general operations.
Why can school taxes rise without much more school funding?
State aid and local taxes help pay for the same school budget. When state aid decreases, local taxpayers cover more of the cost. That means a higher school tax bill may replace money previously provided by the state, with little additional funding available for our schools.
More support from the state
State aidLocal property taxesSame total funding
Less support from the state
State aidLocal property taxesSame total funding
Illustration only. General state aid and taxes within the revenue limit; other funding excluded. Proportions do not represent actual district funding.
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How does school funding compare with inflation?
Our costs rise just as household costs do. Wisconsin’s funding increases have not consistently kept pace with inflation. Since 2008–09, annual resources per student have increased about $2,442, compared with $6,013 under the state’s former inflation indexing method. That leaves an annual difference of about $3,571 per student.
Statewide comparison of changes in annual resources per student since 2008-09. Source: Per Pupil History workbook, updated October 2026. What does that difference mean for a school budget?
For a district serving 1,000 students, that difference is about $3.57 million a year. The chart below adds that amount to Oostburg’s $20.63 million expenditure budget to show its scale. We continue to look for efficiencies while working to maintain the staffing, programs, and services our students need.
Illustration using Oostburg's 2026-27 expenditure budget and a district serving 1,000 students. This illustrates the statewide funding gap, not Oostburg’s actual lost revenue. The $3.57 million represents one year of resources, not losses added together across multiple years.
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Why does state aid affect local property taxes?
When state aid decreases, local taxpayers cover more of the same school budget. In Oostburg, about $500,000 shifted from state aid to local property taxes in 2025–26, followed by a similar shift in 2026–27. Together, those reductions leave local taxpayers responsible for about $1 million more each year than in 2024–25, without adding that amount to what the district can spend.
STATE GENERAL AID LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES 2025-26 About
$500,000 less
Compared with 2024-25→ About
$500,000 more
Compared with 2024-252026-27 About
$500,000 less
Compared with 2025-26→ About
$500,000 more
Compared with 2025-26About $1 million more per year
Paid locally in 2026-27 compared with 2024-25, due to these two aid reductions.
Rounded figures from district budget discussions. This graphic isolates the state aid shift; voucher costs, district revenue changes, and other levy factors are separate.
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Taxes Are Going Up, and We Share Your Frustration.
School property taxes have increased, but very little of those increases provides additional funding for Oostburg schools. Here is where the increases come from.
This Year | 2026-27
10.37% school tax levy increase
What makes up the increase?
8.13 1.45 0.79 ? 8.13 points - State aid shifted to taxpayers (Caused by Funding Formula)
? 1.45 points - Projected increase in voucher costs
? 0.79 points - Additional funding for Oostburg schools
Only 0.79 percentage points of this year's 10.37% increase support additional district funding.
Last Year | 2025-26
6.15% school tax levy increase
Before the prepayment reduction: 10.85 points of upward pressure
8.10 2.50 ? 8.10 points - State aid shifted to taxpayers (Caused by Funding Formula)
? 2.50 points - Increase in voucher costs
? 0.25 points - Additional funding for Oostburg schools
District prepayment reduction: -4.70 points
-4.70 Only 0.25 percentage points supported additional district funding. The prepayment reduction lowered the levy increase from 10.85% to 6.15%.
The Combined Two-Year Story
17.16% compounded school tax levy increase
Across both years, the annual levy comparisons show the same pattern:
State aid shifts: 16.23 points (8.10 + 8.13) (Caused by Funding Formula)
Voucher costs: 3.95 points (2.50 + 1.45)
Additional district funding: 1.04 points (0.25 + 0.79)
? -4.70 points from the 2025-26 prepayment reduction.
Taxpayers are paying considerably more, but only a small share of the increase provides additional funding for Oostburg schools.
The component figures above add two annual percentage-point comparisons with different starting levies. They should not be added to calculate the compounded 17.16% two-year levy change.
Wisconsin Needs a Better School Funding Formula
We need to work with our state legislators to increase funding for public education through the school funding formula, so schools can meet rising costs without shifting more of the burden to local taxpayers.
Figures reflect districtwide levy changes, not necessarily changes to individual property tax bills. Annual contributions are in percentage points. Voucher costs for 2026-27 are projected.
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Know your Legislators
Your November voting guide
The November 3 election includes races for the state Legislature. Our school district overlaps three Assembly districts and two Senate districts. Hover over the map or select a district to see the candidates. Your home address determines which races appear on your ballot.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Polls are open 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Central Time. Use MyVote Wisconsin to confirm your polling place, registration and full ballot.
Near a boundary? Confirm your exact address with Wisconsin's official district finder.
Where to vote
Vote at the polling place assigned to your home address. A mailing address of Oostburg does not always mean you vote in the Village of Oostburg. Confirm your assigned location on MyVote before you go.
| Municipality | Location or address lookup | Local information |
|---|---|---|
| Village of Oostburg | Oostburg Municipal Building 1140 Minnesota Avenue, Oostburg | Village voting information |
| Town of Holland | Holland Town Hall W3005 County Road G, Cedar Grove | Town election information |
| Town of Lima | Lima Town Hall (Five Corners) N3689 County Road I, Sheboygan Falls | Town election information |
| Town of Lyndon | Look up your Election Day location | Town election information |
| Town of Sherman | Look up your Election Day location | Town election information |
| Town of Wilson | Look up your Election Day location | Town website |
For Lyndon, Sherman and Wilson, use the official address lookup; an Election Day location has not been independently confirmed here. For in-person absentee voting, contact your municipal clerk for the correct location and hours.