Private School Vouchers: How They Impact Local Taxes and Public Schools
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A panel presentation providing answers to common questions about school vouchers with a breakdown of how vouchers impact public school funding was held April 28, 2026 at Manitowoc Public Library. The panel included: Lee Thennes, Manitowoc Public School District Superintendent; Nathan Mielke, Director of Business Service, Manitowoc Public School District, Paul (“Biff”) Hansen, Manitowoc School District Board President; Diane Johnson, Two Rivers School District Superintendent; Mary Kay Slattery, Two Rivers School District Finance Director. The event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters Manitowoc County. (The library was not a sponsor.)
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In Wisconsin, the school voucher program began in Milwaukee in 1990 The program was open to students in Milwaukee with a family income less than 175% of the federal poverty level. Private schools had to be nonsectarian, no more than 1% of the enrollment in the MPS could participate, and no more than 49% of a choice school’s enrollment could consist of choice pupils.
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In 1995, the State opened the program to religious schools. Since then, the program has expanded in scope and is now available throughout the State with efforts to expand it nationally and remove income limits.
The school voucher program differs from open enrollment in that open enrollment allows parents to enroll children in a public school not in their district whereas the Voucher program specifically includes private schools.
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LWVWI Position on Education: Promote equal educational opportunity for students in elementary, secondary, and higher education.
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LWVUS Position on Privatization: The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that when governmental entities consider the transfer of governmental services, assets, and/or functions to the private sector, the community impact and goals of such transfers must be identified and considered. Further, the League believes that transparency, accountability, and preservation of the common good must be ensured. ​Read complete statement
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Manitowoc County Without Medicaid: On May 29, 2025, the League of Women Voters, Manitowoc County, hosted an information session "Manitowoc County without Medicaid." The purpose of the session was to inform the community of all the services ranging from BadgerCare to group homes, to nursing care that are paid for with Medicaid dollars. The session also provided information on the Farm Bill and SNAP (food stamp) program. Fifty people attended the session which was recorded.
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LWVWI Position: Support of accessible health care programs throughout the state. Support of adequate funding for mental health care with emphasis on adequate and community support programs.
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LWVUS Position: A basic level of quality health care at an affordable cost should be available to all US residents. Other US health care policy goals should include the equitable distribution of services, efficient and economical delivery of care, advancement of medical research and technology, and a reasonable total national expenditure level for health care.
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STUDIES
Local Program Handbook (2014) Local Program Handbook
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LWV Manitowoc County Studies
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Mental Health Studies
A study of Manitowoc County Mental Health Services with a focus on strengths and gaps.
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The Case for a Mental Health Court In Manitowoc County January 20
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STUDY: Manitowoc County Mental Health Position Recommendations and Updates 2018
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Drug Treatment Court Study (2018 Update) 2018 Update
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Poverty Studies