THE RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT PRIVATE SCHOOL FUNDING
In the last few weeks school boards in Janesville, Rhinelander, Green Bay and Wisconsin Rapids passed resolutions stipulating that the public has a right to know how much state aid for public schools is being sent to subsidize private education. I encourage you to work with school boards in your area to further these efforts.
In addition to asking school boards to pass their own resolutions, we can encourage school board members to support a WASB resolution--that will be introduced Jan. 17th at their state convention--that calls for reporting on local tax bills the ...
PURPLE BULLSEYES
Purple Bullseyes line the map of the Thomas Street Phase II project. Purple Bullseyes designate the homes, apartment buildings, and businesses slated for some form of destruction. Most of the citizens inside these homes and apartment buildings are low income and vulnerable. Each person living inside a home, an apartment building, or business with a Purple Bullseye has a story.
I did an informal, independent survey of some of the citizens on both sides of Thomas Street who will be impacted by Phase II. Over and over the people spoke about the anxiety, the stress, the ...
POINTS TO CONSIDER ABOUT STATEWIDE VOUCHER FUNDING
By WEAC (Wisconsin Education Association Council)
Some observers suggest that because school districts can increase the levy on local taxpayers to offset losses in state aid that go to voucher schools, there is no need to make the public aware of these transactions.
There are, however, several important points to consider about the funding.
The public has a right to know where its tax dollars are going. Without transparency, there can be no accountability for how dollars are being spent, or for the organizations that are receiving subsidies.
School district ...
Most Influential Person in 2017? Women
One year ago, Donald Trump became our president. The day after that momentous event, women by the hundreds of thousands assembled to march in mass protest.
They sang, laughed, talked, and shared their elation and sorrows right there in the nation’s capital. Marchers in 161 other U.S. cities and towns and in 81 other countries joined their protest. With one voice, they announced their opposition to the new president’s implied and stated goals. They also denounced his obvious delight in bullying, and exploiting others. Whether it was financial, emotional, or sexual ...
Doing Your Part
I have written in the past about not losing hope in these troubled political times. Good change can come if good people get active. In the past there were many people who did organize and advocate for change. All that is good about our current society is the result of these people's activism. Some of these people were the great men and women we read about in the history books. But many were unsung, unknown people who did the small things needed to build progress.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Democracy must have citizens that do their part. They don't have to be ...
BARGAIN BASEMENT TEACHING LICENSES
By Union Labor News
There was a Cyber Monday deal this year that surprised a lot of people who care about public schools.
A little Atlanta-based outfit you probably never heard of, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), was having a doorbuster.
On Wisconsin teaching licenses.
That’s right. For the bargain price of just $1600, you could sign up - online - for an online program that would get you a bona fide teaching credential in the state of Wisconsin in just ten months. Without ever having to set foot in an actual classroom.
...
COME CELEBRATE WITH NORTH CENTRAL ORGANIZING CO-OP
The Citizen Action of Wisconsin North Central Organizing Co-op has a lot to celebrate!
2017 was not an easy year for many of us, but we have seen a level of activism over the past 12+ months that inspires hope. Our organizing co-op has over 200 dues paying members and thousands of supporters who are willing to help us organize around important issues and elections.
They helped lead the fight (with other organizing co-ops and allies) to resist the repeal and replacement of the ACA, worked with the Fair Maps Coalition to get over 30 County boards to pass resolutions ...
CIRCLES OF FAITH
‘Circles of Faith’ launches first community dialogue Feb. 11
The Wausau community will have an opportunity to engage in conversations about faith and interfaith relations at a series of three “Circles of Faith Dialogues,” the first set for February 11 from 2-3:30 p.m. at Northcentral Technical College.
The discussion series, which will take place over the next three months, invites members of different religions to share personal experiences, stories and traditions of their faith with the group, encouraging discourse on the commonalities of religion and ...
February Events
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Luther’s Revolution: 500 Years of the Protestant Reformation
7 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church, 700 N. 2nd Ave., Stratford
Jeff Kleiman (UW-Marshfield/Wood County history professor) will discuss the influence of Martin Luther on Christianity and on European culture from a historical view.
Free (all donations appreciated)
Sponsors: The Larry and Elsie Lohr Fund, UW-Marathon County and Murco Foundation, Wausau, WI.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
NORTH CENTRAL ORGANIZING CO-OP
Celebrate the accomplishments of 2017
5:30 p.m.
The Labor ...
Why Not You?
(From Union Labor News, December 2017 You can follow Union Labor News on Facebook.)
It’s time for workers to run for office. Someone like you would be best.
Why? Because the culture wars are soon going to wrap up and we are going to need some common sense candidates with a track record of good judgment, friendliness, hard work, and community participation.
The Republican candidate for governor of Virginia embraced the Trump cultural agenda of division, distrust and dysfunction and was thoroughly trounced in a state that regularly elects Republicans. One of his ...
