Wisconsin’s public schools need more support, gubernatorial candidates David Crowley and Tom Tiffany agree. They differ on how to provide it — and their proposals leave open important questions about the amount and source of new funding. School districts have increasingly turned to local referendums to address financial strain. Property-tax levies for schools have reached their highest level in more than 30 years, while districts contend with staffing shortages and budget gaps. School leaders have also warned that state aid has not kept pace with inflation. Public schools are funded through a combination of state aid and local property taxes. State aid is distributed under a formula that considers factors including enrollment, property values and district expenses; revenue limits restrict the total districts can raise locally and receive from the state. Crowley, the Democratic candidate, says the current aid system needs an overhaul but has not proposed a replacement formula. He said he would work with educators, school districts and researchers on a long-term plan. His priorities include increasing per-student aid, raising the state’s reimbursement for special education costs from 45% to 90%, and creating universal free preschool. Crowley has said he wants to boost school funding while reducing property-tax pressure. One possible revenue source, he said, is tax income from legal marijuana — a policy Republicans in the Legislature have blocked. If Democrats win control of the governor’s office and both legislative chambers, Crowley also wants to consider using some of the state’s projected $3 billion surplus for schools. He supported a spring proposal by Gov. Tony Evers and Republican legislative leaders to use surplus funds for schools and property-tax relief. As a state Assembly member, Crowley co-authored bills that would have increased school aid and adjusted how some students were counted for funding. Neither became law. He also voted against the 2017-19 state budget, which increased K-12 funding by about $639 million; critics at the time said the increase was insufficient. Tiffany, the Republican candidate, says state funding should follow students more directly, with additional support reflecting individual needs. His campaign declined an interview request and provided written responses. Tiffany supports increasing special education reimbursement but has not named a target, saying the next budget’s revenues should be considered before setting a figure. Tiffany has also pledged to freeze property taxes and repeal a partial veto by Evers that lets districts increase revenue limits by $325 per student annually through 2445. The provision does not impose a specific tax, but it allows districts to raise more revenue. A nonpartisan analysis found it is one of several contributors to rising school property taxes, alongside flat state funding and voter-approved referendums. Tiffany says more spending alone does not guarantee better results. He has proposed restoring higher proficiency thresholds on state tests and establishing minimum teacher salaries to help attract and retain educators. His legislative record includes a 2011 vote for a state budget that cut public-school aid by more than $700 million, as well as later votes supporting increased per-student aid and the 2017-19 funding increase. The candidates also differ on private-school vouchers and a new federal tax-credit program for scholarships. Wisconsin’s voucher programs enrolled about 61,000 students last school year and cost the state an estimated $701 million. About $358 million was deducted from state aid to public schools for vouchers, though districts can seek local property-tax revenue to make up for those reductions. Tiffany supports the state’s voucher programs but has not said whether he would expand them. Crowley opposes ending the programs or expanding them, and wants stronger accountability for participating private schools. He says public schools need investment and the capacity to serve more students before any major change to vouchers. Both candidates have addressed a federal scholarship tax credit created by Congress. It allows individuals to claim a federal tax credit for donations of up to $1,700 to scholarship organizations. Tiffany says Wisconsin should join the program, arguing that donations could support services for students in public, private and home schools. Crowley said he wants to review the final rules and consider potential benefits for public schools, while guarding against changes that could leave public-school students without access to resources. Wisconsin’s gubernatorial election is Nov. 3, and early voting has begun.