From Grace McLaughlin
Town of New Glarus
To the editor:
The Pecatonica PTA is hosting a forum on education and school funding, 7 p.m. Sept. 21st Pecatonica High School, 704 Cross St., Blanchardville. They have invited the candidates for the 51st Assembly District seat to share their views on the topics and to answer questions from attendees.
Over the last 15 years, state funding to Wisconsin public education has steadily declined; some districts now receive only 20-25 percent of what they got 15 years ago. To compensate, property taxes earmarked for public schools in many areas has dramatically risen, from just under 50 percent of a district's budget to almost 90 percent in some cases. For many years, the Legislature has restricted the annual revenue that a school district can receive from the state and local property taxes. Those limits have not kept up with inflation, further hampering communities' abilities to provide adequate funding for their children's education. At the same time, the legislature has been funding independent, for-profit charter schools with monies that would normally go to the public school system. As a result of all this, Wisconsin public schools are struggling, especially those in rural areas.
One concern is the poor access that rural schools and students have to fast, reliable Internet service. With more and more of our children's educational experiences moving to computers (computer learning, computer testing, online homework assignments, etc.), being unable to get online means falling behind. One solution would be for the Wisconsin Legislature to increase funding for broadband expansion and provide more access to digital learning systems. Traditional cable and telecom firms are unwilling to provide adequate service to rural customers, so part of that solution would be for the legislature to overturn the 2003 law that stifles competition and prohibits local governments from establishing their own broadband utilities. Allowing local villages, towns and counties this leeway would greatly enhance not only educational, but business opportunities.
Like rural electrification in the 1930s, rural broadband is critical to our children's success. Without it, they are being denied equal access to knowledge and information they will need to get a good job, stay healthy or profitably run the farm. Please come to Blanchardville on Sept. 21. Tell the candidates that this is an important issue - and that it requires them to act.
Town of New Glarus
To the editor:
The Pecatonica PTA is hosting a forum on education and school funding, 7 p.m. Sept. 21st Pecatonica High School, 704 Cross St., Blanchardville. They have invited the candidates for the 51st Assembly District seat to share their views on the topics and to answer questions from attendees.
Over the last 15 years, state funding to Wisconsin public education has steadily declined; some districts now receive only 20-25 percent of what they got 15 years ago. To compensate, property taxes earmarked for public schools in many areas has dramatically risen, from just under 50 percent of a district's budget to almost 90 percent in some cases. For many years, the Legislature has restricted the annual revenue that a school district can receive from the state and local property taxes. Those limits have not kept up with inflation, further hampering communities' abilities to provide adequate funding for their children's education. At the same time, the legislature has been funding independent, for-profit charter schools with monies that would normally go to the public school system. As a result of all this, Wisconsin public schools are struggling, especially those in rural areas.
One concern is the poor access that rural schools and students have to fast, reliable Internet service. With more and more of our children's educational experiences moving to computers (computer learning, computer testing, online homework assignments, etc.), being unable to get online means falling behind. One solution would be for the Wisconsin Legislature to increase funding for broadband expansion and provide more access to digital learning systems. Traditional cable and telecom firms are unwilling to provide adequate service to rural customers, so part of that solution would be for the legislature to overturn the 2003 law that stifles competition and prohibits local governments from establishing their own broadband utilities. Allowing local villages, towns and counties this leeway would greatly enhance not only educational, but business opportunities.
Like rural electrification in the 1930s, rural broadband is critical to our children's success. Without it, they are being denied equal access to knowledge and information they will need to get a good job, stay healthy or profitably run the farm. Please come to Blanchardville on Sept. 21. Tell the candidates that this is an important issue - and that it requires them to act.
