Dive Brief:

• An increasing number of Wisconsin districts have turned to referendums — 22 more in 2015 than 2012 —  to bring in revenue beyond the state caps on education funding. 
• A whopping 76% of the referendums aim to get additional funds, and many of the state's voters (60-70%) have indicated that they are OK raising property taxes if it means better funding for schools. 
• In 2003 the Wisconsin state legislature tried to offset funding caps by only funding one-third of a school's revenue. 

Dive Insight:

Governor Scott Walker has cut $800 million from school funding between 2011-2013, a pretty astonishing number. Recognizing that they cannot function properly under these restraints, districts are turning to the community. While it's probably unlikely that this trend of increased property taxes will catch on nationally, red states are typically opposed to higher taxes, the fact that so many in Wisconsin are saying "yes" attests to the fact that so many recognize the schools need the funding.