Taxpayer-funded school vouchers: 3,400+ students apply

MADISON (AP) — More than 3,400 students have applied to receive a taxpayer-funded voucher to attend private and religious schools in Wisconsin next year, the second year of the statewide voucher program.

That is more than triple the enrollment cap of 1,000.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction said Tuesday that six new schools or school systems will be admitted into the program next year. The first 25 schools that were in the program this year keep their 500 vouchers.

Because of a tie, the 26 schools with the most new applicants will divide up the 500 additional vouchers.

The six new schools are in Appleton, Bonduel, Sheboygan, Menasha-Neenah and Fond du Lac.