Schools

Letter to the Editor: Change as Progress

Jennifer Peltz, Nicolet School Board member, explains why she is not in support of a referendum.

As the Governor’s budget repair bill becomes law and the State budget for 2011-12 and 2012-13 continues to be unveiled, we all recognize changes are inevitable within our school budgets.  

Cuts in state funding to schools and changes in collective bargaining laws will challenge school districts to re-evaluate past practices and determine what works and what they can afford in the future. Many people seem to look at these changes as having a negative impact on schools, which instills fear of the unknown and mistrust between school, community and employees. I believe change means progress and we need to work together through these changes.  

Everyday we make choices- as well as changes- to our own budgets and spending habits to ensure we live within our means. We consider the consequences of our actions and the effect they will have on our life style.  

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Currently Nicolet High School spends $16,000 per pupil, per year, to educate our children while the state average is $11,000.  

Our teachers have some of the highest salaries in the state, job security through tenure, and have an insurance package second to none in comparison to the private sector. Now is the opportunity and obligation of the Nicolet School Board to assess what we can afford, to best educate our children while ensuring constituents that the current tax dollars they provide us with are responsibly spent.  

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I, for one, believe that the Governor’s budget repair bill has given the Nicolet School Board the tools necessary to live within their means while maintaining the quality education we have all come to expect for our children.    

On January 27, 2011, the Nicolet School Board voted 4 to 1 in favor of a referendum request for over $10 million for the next five years in taxpayer money to continue operations as status quo.  

Asking for more taxpayer support, without fully understanding the impact of the Governor’s changes does not serve our community’s best interests.  As a board member, I feel we need to fully investigate our new options for balancing our budget before holding our hand out and asking the taxpayers for more money.  

Sincerely,
Jennifer Peltz
Glendale Resident
Parent of Nicolet Students
Member of the Nicolet School Board


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