14 results for tag: Public School Funding

IMPROVING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

IMPROVING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS By Phil Anderson The problems facing Wisconsin's public schools are complex. There are no quick or easy fixes. But neither are the problems insurmountable. People of good faith, working together, can find ways to improve our schools. We should begin by admitting that we are all part of the problem. The problems of our schools reflect American society. The inequality, racism, poverty, and violence common to American culture are reflected in our schools. We cannot blame teachers or schools for the social problems we are unwilling to address as a whole society. Children must come to school well fed, rested, feeling safe, ...

BACK TO ALEC, BACK TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS

BACK TO ALEC, BACK TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS By Rep Chris Taylor (D-Madison) On the heels of a newly passed state budget that again leaves our K-12 public schools behind without ample and consistent funding, I recently headed back to where the school privatization push all began — the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. ALEC and its members, including the American Federation for Children, have become more powerful than our citizens’ voices at the state Capitol. Despite massive public urging from Wisconsin school superintendents, principals, teachers, parents and students for consistent and adequate K-12 public education funding, ...

Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: “Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools”

Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: "Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools"           Friday Aug. 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  AND  Tues. Aug. 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.   Marathon County Public Library 300 N. 1st Street Wausau,  WI 54403 3rd Floor Mtg. Rm  (use elevator) Please be aware of the 2-hour parking limit in the Library's main lot, we ask that you utilize the nearby parking ramps instead. This documentary explores the hidden corporate and political interests attempting to take over American public education across the country.  Our very own Wisconsin educational researchers, Dr. Julie Mead and ...

Honk For Public Education

HONK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION By Middle Wisconsin Editorial Staff Motorists are honking their horn for public education for all, thanks to rallies by concerned people all over Wisconsin. Throughout Wisconsin, many people are organizing and advocating for public education. Local groups are standing on sidewalks and holding signs to let people know what is going on in the state budget and the local schools. They are helping to educate the public on the needs of our public schools. In Wauwatosa SOS (Save Our Schools) has requested open records of their elected officials to determine the support for public education. In West Bend, the advocacy groups ...

Residents and Parents in River Falls Should Know… State Budget proposals impact our schools

School District of River Falls ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 852 East Division Street, River Falls WI 54022 715-425-1800 phone / 715-425-1804 fax www.rfsd.k12.wi.us June 5, 2015 Residents and Parents in River Falls Should Know… State Budget proposals impact our schools The current state budget and related legislative proposals would have significant and lasting negative implications for the School District of River Falls and all public schools in the state of Wisconsin.  As part of our school district responsibility to the community, it is important for these issues to be brought to your attention. Below is a brief summary of ...

A TEACHER’S SPEECH

A TEACHER’S SPEECH by Sheila Plotkin The following speech was given by Sheila Plotkin at a Rally for Public Schools in Sun Prairie. I taught in the Milwaukee Public Schools Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program for 28 years. I am here as a retired teacher, and as a proud American. I am here because I believe that today, we stand together on common ground, and I am moved to begin with the most common ground of all. We all know these words well, perhaps too well. I ask you to imagine that you are hearing these words for the first time. Please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of Ame...

CAN YOU IMAGINE CLOSING ALL NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

CAN YOU IMAGINE CLOSING ALL NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS? By Joyce Luedke Can you imagine closing all neighborhood public schools in a city and replacing them with 40 different privately managed charter schools, a Recovery School District, funded by taxpayers? Can you imagine no centralized oversight of these 40 different entities to guarantee that the needs of all students are met? Can you imagine firing 7,000 school personnel and replacing 4500 teachers with unlicensed personnel holding alternative certificates who have no training in child development, teaching children with special needs, or other crucial courses required to be a ...

VOTE “YES” FOR OUR CHILDREN’S AND COMMUNITY’S FUTURE

Tuesday, April 7th, voters in the Wausau School District get a chance to approve some much needed repairs and upgrades for our children in the Wausau School District. As a result of four years of community involvement and planning, two referendum questions will be on the ballot. Question #1* allows the school district to raise money for needed maintenance and neighborhood school building renovations. The bond money will be used to: Provide additional space for students at overcrowded John Marshal, Rib Mountain, Hewitt-Texas, and South Mountain elementary schools, Replace the deteriorating A. C. Kiefer Educational Center in 2016. The ...

RETURNING THE BRIBE

Recently, I sent checks to five public schools in Wisconsin along with a letter explaining my actions.  I can't in good conscience accept the "bribe" of a so-called tax refund when it impacts the welfare of my grandchildren and over 800,000 students attending public schools. I believe in investing in our great public schools and the children who attend them.  The generations who came before me invested in my public education.  I am forever grateful to them.  The previous generations wanted a better life for us and knew that a public education was the key to that better life. They knew an educated populace is crucial for our representative ...

Public Schools Serve the Whole Society

A 21st Century public education system is the foundation of democracy and provides equal opportunity. The doors of public schools are wide open for all students and are essential to the well-being of our communities, state and country. Do you know the difference between taxpayer subsidized private schools and our community Public Schools? Responsibilities and Standards Taxpayer subsidized private schools do not need to hire highly qualified teachers and were not required to take state assessments until last year. Public schools are rated by the state every year, but taxpayer subsidized private schools have a free ride from state report cards ...