As a parent and leader in the Pecatonica and Wisconsin PTAs, I value our state's public school system, and it is clear we need to change the way we are funding our public schools. Class sizes are increasing in some schools, while other schools are losing state aid because of declining enrollment; technical ed, agriculture, arts, music and other classes are being cut; school districts are being faced with deferred maintenance, downsizing and more. After 15 years of spending controls, flaws have developed that need attention now, before they put our children's education any further at risk. A recent Monroe Times editorial indicated that Governor Doyle's current funding proposal should serve as a starting point in the Legislature for debate on the topic. I strongly agree.
I am a member of the School Finance Network (SFN), a statewide coalition of parents, teachers, school board members, administrators and others, who realize the critical importance for accountable school funding, especially in a down economy. We praise the governor for making school funding a priority. He has ideas, as does Rep. Brett Davis. While different, all of these ideas are worthy of discussion and debate as our state looks for a realistic solution.
The SFN also has a plan, which took two years to develop and can be seen at www.sfnwisconsin.org. It controls costs, aligns them with revenues, and targets funding where it is most needed - toward students. Every public school district statewide would benefit. The SFN plan would keep the qualified economic offer (QEO) for teachers and revenue limits, yet add flexibility to both while allowing districts more "spendable" revenue targeted to children with special needs. The State Supreme Court has identified these special needs students as needing greater recognition in any funding formula. The SFN has worked to answer this call in a plan that we truly believe is responsible, reasoned and financially accountable.
Above all, the SFN approach works to protect taxpayers and calls upon the Legislature's expertise in determining the appropriate mechanisms to fund the plan.
To be sure, any change will not happen overnight, but it will be important for all parties to work together for the greater good of Wisconsin's education system. As long as we continue to keep Wisconsin's longstanding tradition of providing a quality education for students front and center, progress and a solution are within our reach.
I am a member of the School Finance Network (SFN), a statewide coalition of parents, teachers, school board members, administrators and others, who realize the critical importance for accountable school funding, especially in a down economy. We praise the governor for making school funding a priority. He has ideas, as does Rep. Brett Davis. While different, all of these ideas are worthy of discussion and debate as our state looks for a realistic solution.
The SFN also has a plan, which took two years to develop and can be seen at www.sfnwisconsin.org. It controls costs, aligns them with revenues, and targets funding where it is most needed - toward students. Every public school district statewide would benefit. The SFN plan would keep the qualified economic offer (QEO) for teachers and revenue limits, yet add flexibility to both while allowing districts more "spendable" revenue targeted to children with special needs. The State Supreme Court has identified these special needs students as needing greater recognition in any funding formula. The SFN has worked to answer this call in a plan that we truly believe is responsible, reasoned and financially accountable.
Above all, the SFN approach works to protect taxpayers and calls upon the Legislature's expertise in determining the appropriate mechanisms to fund the plan.
To be sure, any change will not happen overnight, but it will be important for all parties to work together for the greater good of Wisconsin's education system. As long as we continue to keep Wisconsin's longstanding tradition of providing a quality education for students front and center, progress and a solution are within our reach.
