Letter Critical of Gov. Walker's Budget Proposal Drafted by Nicolet School Officials
Four of five board members, and Superintendent Rick Monroe have signed the letter which says like many district, Nicolet has used the "tools" allotted to them in Act 10, but they aren't enough.
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Members of the Nicolet School Board and administration are voicing their opposition to Gov. Scott Walker's 2013-15 budget proposal in a letter to be sent to Madison.
Four of five board members, and Superintendent Rick Monroe have signed the letter, according to GlendaleNOW, which says like many districts, Nicolet has used the "tools" allotted to them in Act 10, including increasing employee contributions to health care premiums and state retirement benefits, but they do not offset reductions in revenue. The letter is addressed to Walker and members of the Legislature's Education and Joint Committee on Finance.
"These efforts initially eased the negative impact of reductions on per-student funding, but having been utilized, will not offset future required reductions resulting from the proposed freeze on revenue limits."
The letter goes on to urge Walker and state lawmakers to consider tying state-mandated revenue limits to the consumer price index, ensure any funding to choice, voucher or private schools don't affect public school funding, and giving school boards the power to set school start dates.
Walker's budget proposal includes a freeze on district revenue limits and an expansion of the voucher program, which allows students to attend private schools in lieu of underperforming public schools.
Ellen Redeker was the lone board member to opt out of signing the letter.
"I don't think this is the place for the School Board to pass some sort of political action, which this letter is," GlendaleNOW quoted Redeker as saying. "Until you step into an inner-city school that's publicly funded, that you'd never send your kid to, I think we're doing a disservice to those failing schools."
Eilene Stevens
8:05 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I hope everyone remembers this for the 2014 elections. Elmbrook has taken similar action. http://brookfield-wi.patch.com/articles/walkers-budget-could-mean-23-million-deficit-for-elmbrook. We are two high performing districts with solid tax bases and we can't make it on what is being allotted. How long will it take for Walker and group to ruin our exemplary public schools?
Keith Schmitz
8:46 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
"Until you step into an inner-city school that's publicly funded, that you'd never send your kid to, I think we're doing a disservice to those failing schools."
That seems to need some elaboration.
Suzanne Hall
9:17 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I am disheartened to see predominately high performing suburban public schools constantly lumped together in the failing public school category. 5 perfect ACT scores by Nicolet students this year seems more than a coincidence and evidence that this district seems to be doing something right. Every public dollar allocated to vouchers comes equally from the performing and non-performing public schools. I wonder how many private voucher school attendees have received perfect ACT scores this year?
Dave Koven
10:29 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
When politicians are running for election, they can't say enough about how important our children are to the future of America. THEN...What is the first thing they cut? Education. What hypocrisy! An appropriate education for a child is not cheap, and a few less wars where we end up as trade partners with our "enemy" ten years later, and after thousands of our young men have died, would certainly pay for it. While we're at it, let's give an appropriate education to our Gifted and Talented (GT) students, instead of the "one size fits all" they get now because of the fear of political incorrectness/elitism. This is short-sighted and wasteful. They are the ones most likely to solve America's problems. We could definitely spend more money here, and it would be a REAL investment in our future. GT kids have needs and concerns that are unique to their abilities. If left unconsidered, this could lead to problems relating to others, neurotic perfectionism, hiding their intelligence, and many other problems.
Come on Already
1:36 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
So a freeze is a cut huh?
Dave Koven
1:55 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
It doesn't matter if it is a freeze or a cut. Bottom line is that you don't have the money you need to do things right.
Ian
9:53 am on Friday, March 22, 2013
Didn't the teachers contract get renewed in a hurry before Act 10 was put into place?
Has the school district really used all these cost cutting tools to their full extent?
Wasn't there a referendum that raises real estate taxes even higher a year ago or so?
Isn't Walker's spending on education up 1% in the new budget?