Communities Across Wisconsin Rally Around School Budget Crises

From Park Falls to Stevens Point, communities across Wisconsin have been speaking out for statewide school-funding reform. Threatened with school budget cuts, parents, students, teachers, administrators, school board members, and citizens have come together to speak with one voice for their children and discuss how to avoid slashing teaching positions and class offerings vital to their schools.

Park Falls pleas to save staff and programs

In Park Falls, hundreds attended a meeting on February 23, 2004, making pleas to spare the district's band program and middle school band teacher, among others, from budget cuts. The district must cut $800,000 this year because of decreased state aid.

A student in Stevens Point illustrated how the school-funding system affects the quality of his education.

Len Schmidt, Park Falls School Board President, told the crowd that the board is doing everything it can to save programs, but the state has forced it into its current financial predicament.

"I'll make a deal with you folks," Schmidt said, as quoted in the Park Falls Herald. "You have to make it hot for the state legislators and governor. You have to make it so hot that they can't ignore us."

Stevens Point rallies to stop school cuts

In Stevens Point, the teachers union organized a rally on March 1, 2004 for teachers, parents, and students to oppose their proposed school budget cuts. Stevens Point faces nearly $2 million in budget cuts this year and already cut $3.5 million last year.

A Stevens Point parent demonstrated how the school-funding system is not meeting the needs of schools and children.

Mary Lee Reineking, Stevens Point Area Education Association President, said school districts experience ongoing financial hardships because of revenue caps imposed by the state, as reported by the Stevens Point Journal. She said Wisconsin lawmakers must end the revenue caps to resolve the budget problems.

The Stevens Point Parent Teacher Student Association joined the teachers union to show support for their schools. Parents are worried about the future of educational opportunities for their young children, as districts are continually left with no choice but to reduce classes, staff, and essential educational services.

Many schools in crisis

Park Falls and Stevens Point are not alone in their budget crises. School districts throughout the state are struggling to survive with insufficient resources and a school-funding system that is failing schools, our children, and our communities. It is critical that Wisconsin responds with comprehensive reform now, so that everyone has the opportunity to take part in our history of excellent education. The growing crisis can be stopped with a statewide solution that provides adequate support, ensuring our next generation of citizens and workers a bright future.

For more details on the rallies and proposed budget cuts, see the articles in the Park Falls Herald and the Stevens Point Journal.

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