Assembly Bill 644 proposes changes to the state aid structure for newly consolidated school districts in Wisconsin. Currently, these districts receive consolidation aid for seven years, starting with $150 per pupil for the first five years, followed by reduced amounts in the sixth and seventh years. The bill seeks to amend this by increasing the aid for the school year in which the consolidation takes effect to $2,000 per pupil for consolidations occurring in 2026, 2027, or 2028. The aid structure for the subsequent six years will remain unchanged, continuing to provide $150 per pupil for the following four years.

The bill includes specific legal language changes, renumbering existing statutes and creating new provisions to reflect the increased aid amount. Sections 117.08 (6) (a) and 117.09 (6) (a) are amended to incorporate these changes, with the new provisions specifying the increased aid for the initial year of consolidation while maintaining the existing aid levels for the following years. This adjustment aims to provide greater financial support to school districts during the critical transition period following consolidation.