MADISON, Wis. -- Students, teachers, school board members, lawmakers and others joined together at the state Capitol on Thursday to decry the current school funding formula as beyond repair and to urge a new approach.

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Educators said that spending limits imposed by the state are crippling a once great educational system.

State Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts, D-Middleton, introduced a resolution calling on the Legislature to change the formula by July 1, 2009. She said that's the soonest that changes could be enacted and she said even that's pushing it.

"They are no longer cutting fat. They are cutting at the very heart of what was once an excellent education system," Pope-Roberts said.

She said that spending caps are forcing every district to go to referendum.

"The stage was set for neighborhood wars pitting homeowners against families with children," Pope-Roberts said. "This is totally inadequate way to fund public education."

However, Pope-Roberts didn't propose a new plan. She said that when that has happened in the past, the proposals have been derailed by "partisan bickering" over details.

Many from around the state gathered at the Capitol and voiced concern that the current formula is choking the life out of schools.

"We as students urge you to take action on this problem before our school district ends up completely in shambles. If the repercussions are being felt this strongly now, one can only imagine how horrible this situation will be for students five or 10 years into the future," said Jacinth Sohi, a senior at Madison West High School.

Madison schools have lost 615 positions as $52 million has been cut in the 13 years since state lawmakers stuck spending caps on Wisconsin's school districts, WISC-TV reported.

"It is critical for the future of our children and the future of us that our children no longer be a political football. They need to be taken out of the political process and every single legislator regardless of party must come to the table to think about our children," said Art Rainwater, Madison Metropolitan School District superintendent.

But without a specific plan, it doesn't appear likely the issue will get a hearing in the Republican-controlled Assembly.

Assembly Education Committee Chairman Brett Davis of Oregon has said that he wouldn't hold a hearing on such a resolution but would if a specific school funding plan is introduced.