MADISON, Wis.— Republican lawmakers are making a case for why in-person instruction costs more and why, as a result, schools teaching that way should get more money.

Improving ventilation systems, more cleaning supplies, and transportation costs are among some of the reasons Republicans said schools that have been teaching in-person have incurred more costs than those instructing virtually.

Assembly Republicans called on Gov. Evers Monday to allocate about $21 million in federal funds for education to schools teaching in-person, full-time all academic year long.

The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) of 2021 provided nearly $20.8 million, which must be spent by January 2022. 

“We don't put it in a bill here because this is federal money that the governor has total control over, so there really isn't an ability for us to legislate a way to use this,” State Rep. Mark Born (R-Beaver Dam) said. “That's why we're asking him to prioritize this.”

Republicans said they have a convincing case for why it's smart to spend money the way they are asking.

“I struggle to understand why we would not reward those schools, teachers, and communities that have selflessly sacrificed, put themselves and their families at risk so that their students could receive a high-quality educational experience,” State Rep. Jeremy Thiesfeldt (R-Fond du Lac) said.

Though Republicans see it as a reward, Democrats call it a punishment and said some schools can't afford all of the expenses that come with opening safely.

“It's no surprise that they're trying to punish public schools and looking for any excuse to do that,” State Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) said. “For those that are property-poor, the way that the formula works it's harder for them to be able to transition to do that, so I would say look, each district should be able to decide for themselves, listen to locals, do it safely, and this money, if anything, it should be done to make sure that each district is doing what it would like.”

Democrat or Republican—both sides acknowledge they ultimately have a shared goal in getting kids back in school, but they have different ideas about when and how.