Fond du Lac, WI: SPED numbers rise from 6% of students in the 1970s to 18% today

Aug 14, 2025, Citizen Portal: Legislators Criticize Special Needs Funding Amid Rising Student Population in Fond Du Lac 

The Fond du Lac School District Board meeting on August 11, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding funding for special education programs. A key discussion point was the reimbursement rates for special needs students, which are projected to be only 42% this year and 45% next year from the state.

Board members expressed frustration over the financial burden placed on schools due to legislative mandates that require integrating special needs students, including those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, emotional disorders, and autism spectrum disorder, into general classrooms. One member pointed out that while the number of students classified as special needs has increased significantly—rising from 6% in the 1970s to approximately 18% in Fond du Lac—funding has not kept pace with the growing demand for specialized services and modified curricula.

Concerns were raised about the sustainability of the current funding model, as individualized instruction and specialized therapies require higher expenditures. Board members urged state and federal legislators to fully fund special education programs to alleviate the financial strain on local schools. The discussion underscored the ongoing challenges faced by the district in meeting the needs of its diverse student population while managing budget constraints.

As the meeting concluded, the board emphasized the need for continued advocacy for better funding solutions to support special education, ensuring that all students receive the resources they need to succeed.