Evers seeking $707 million more for Wisconsin schools

State Superintendent Tony Evers is seeking $707 million more over the next two years for Wisconsin schools.

Evers made the request in his $13.6 billion budget proposal released Tuesday. Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature will consider it next year as it works on passing a new two-year spending plan for the state.

Evers' budget calls for a 2.7 percent spending increase the first year and 5.4 percent the second. That includes more than $500 million additional for general school aids as part of his plan to overhaul the school funding formula.

The Republican-controlled Legislature has rejected Evers' call to rewrite the formula three times.

His budget also includes $5.5 million for grants in rural schools to help retain teachers who are lured away for higher-paying jobs in more urban areas.