BRODHEAD - Three local state legislators, representing both sides of the political isle, agreed Wisconsin needs to change the way it funds schools Wednesday, during a legislative forum hosted by the Brodhead School board.
But they didn't all agree on those specific changes.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and freshman Representatives Janice Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater) offered their ideas of how schools could be better funded.
"Schools are not fair, because of the way we pay for them," Erpenbach said, adding that each local school system should be offering students the same opportunity to access basic academics and extra curricular activities.
Erpenbach said he was against removing enrollment caps from virtual schools and the expansion of school vouchers.
"What happens is (schools) can cherry pick kids," which takes away from the public school system," he said.
Wynn highlighted the varying needs of schools and students across Wisconsin - and the benefit vouchers and charter schools contribute to helping meet those diverse needs.
"Every kid learns differently, and we should be giving each child what they need to learn," he said. "What we are doing now doesn't work; equalizing the cost per student isn't the answer."
Ringhand said she recognizes the need for charter schools, but worries about funding them.
"Charter schools work for a lot of kids with different needs, " she said. "(But) we need special (school) boards not under legislative control. Virtual and charter school funding comes off the top, before funding public schools. If charter schools take the best students off the top, that leaves kids with special needs in schools at a higher percentage."
Raising taxes for schools was not directly advocated by any of the legislators, though Erpenbach acknowledged that his idea of a higher sales could impact many individuals.
Because the greatest portion of Wisconsin property taxes now goes toward schools, Erpenbach says closing exceptions on sales tax exemptions could help boost revenue. However, he added that he wouldn't advocate more taxes on basic essentials, such as food.
"Yes, it's a tax increase - for the individual," he said. "But it's a choice (for the individual). Property tax is not a choice, whether you rent or own. And people don't' want their taxes going toward private schools, which is what is happening now."
Ringhand supports adding a penny tax on each dollar spent, which would go toward schools.
"You can't cut taxes and have a better way of living," she said. "A better education means a better tomorrow."
Wynn said raising taxes would not solve the problem, and would more heavily impact those who could least afford it.
"Because the people with the ability to pay - the rich- have the monetary means to leave the state," he said.
Overall, "people find ways around paying a new tax," he added.
Wynn also pushed for a way to assure businesses that new taxes would not be coming, which he said would allow them to spend more on hiring, plants and equipment.
Finding money for schools is important, he said, but added that schools would still have to "tighten the belt."
All three candidates agreed that state government should be less involved in controlling local school boards and institute fewer mandates.
And local schools should be free to seek new ways of educating students.
"Sitting in Madison, we have not way of knowing what is good for one (school) is good for another," Wynn said.
Erpenbach also acknowledged the desire for local control. "Do you want any guidance from the state?" he asked the group playfully. "Yeah, I didn't think so."
But they didn't all agree on those specific changes.
Sen. Jon Erpenbach (D-Middleton) and freshman Representatives Janice Ringhand (D-Evansville) and Evan Wynn (R-Whitewater) offered their ideas of how schools could be better funded.
"Schools are not fair, because of the way we pay for them," Erpenbach said, adding that each local school system should be offering students the same opportunity to access basic academics and extra curricular activities.
Erpenbach said he was against removing enrollment caps from virtual schools and the expansion of school vouchers.
"What happens is (schools) can cherry pick kids," which takes away from the public school system," he said.
Wynn highlighted the varying needs of schools and students across Wisconsin - and the benefit vouchers and charter schools contribute to helping meet those diverse needs.
"Every kid learns differently, and we should be giving each child what they need to learn," he said. "What we are doing now doesn't work; equalizing the cost per student isn't the answer."
Ringhand said she recognizes the need for charter schools, but worries about funding them.
"Charter schools work for a lot of kids with different needs, " she said. "(But) we need special (school) boards not under legislative control. Virtual and charter school funding comes off the top, before funding public schools. If charter schools take the best students off the top, that leaves kids with special needs in schools at a higher percentage."
Raising taxes for schools was not directly advocated by any of the legislators, though Erpenbach acknowledged that his idea of a higher sales could impact many individuals.
Because the greatest portion of Wisconsin property taxes now goes toward schools, Erpenbach says closing exceptions on sales tax exemptions could help boost revenue. However, he added that he wouldn't advocate more taxes on basic essentials, such as food.
"Yes, it's a tax increase - for the individual," he said. "But it's a choice (for the individual). Property tax is not a choice, whether you rent or own. And people don't' want their taxes going toward private schools, which is what is happening now."
Ringhand supports adding a penny tax on each dollar spent, which would go toward schools.
"You can't cut taxes and have a better way of living," she said. "A better education means a better tomorrow."
Wynn said raising taxes would not solve the problem, and would more heavily impact those who could least afford it.
"Because the people with the ability to pay - the rich- have the monetary means to leave the state," he said.
Overall, "people find ways around paying a new tax," he added.
Wynn also pushed for a way to assure businesses that new taxes would not be coming, which he said would allow them to spend more on hiring, plants and equipment.
Finding money for schools is important, he said, but added that schools would still have to "tighten the belt."
All three candidates agreed that state government should be less involved in controlling local school boards and institute fewer mandates.
And local schools should be free to seek new ways of educating students.
"Sitting in Madison, we have not way of knowing what is good for one (school) is good for another," Wynn said.
Erpenbach also acknowledged the desire for local control. "Do you want any guidance from the state?" he asked the group playfully. "Yeah, I didn't think so."