School-funding reform plan
rolled out around Wisconsin
WAES is a partner in the School
Finance Network (SFN), and voted, in November, to go forward
into the 2009-11 legislative session with the coalition’s
reform plan and an agenda to work with the state’s elected
leaders.
The first step was taken Feb. 3 and Feb.4 when SFN unveiled
its reform plan for the public at 10 media events in Green
Bay, West Allis, Verona, Wausau, Altoona, LaCrosse, Superior,
Rhinelander, and Janesville.
SFN
partners include the Fair Aid Coalition, Wisconsin Education
Association Council, Wisconsin Association of School Boards,
Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance, AFT-Wisconsin, Wisconsin
PTA, Schools Administrators Alliance, and Wisconsin Association
of School District Administrators. Also taking part are the
school districts of Milwaukee and Madison.
Just the start of the hard work
The Network’s reform plan meets WAES’ core principles.
It addresses the current system’s flaws and ensures
that all districts benefit with the resources needed to fund
current sound education research.
Parts of the plan provide categorical aid for traditionally
high-cost students with special needs and disabilities, those
learning the English language, children in rural school districts,
and low income students. Changing the way schools are funded
will allow the system to be more effective by aligning revenue
with actual student costs and helping public schools restore
important course offerings that have been cut over the past
decade.
As no one knows better than WAES members, this is only a
starting point. The real work begins once the cameras are
shut off. In March, Rep.
Sondy Pope-Roberts, chair of the
Assembly Education Committee, will hold a hearing on the
plan. WAES members should start planning now to testify. Additionally,
WAES will continue to work with SFN members and legislators
to improve the SFN plan, specifically, making sure small,
rural schools aren’t forgotten as the process moves
forward.
Understanding that legislators won’t automatically
find the political will to change the system after 15 years
of inactivity, WAES will spearhead a community-organizing,
grassroots effort in the coming months to build coalitions
throughout the state. Our job will be to unite educators,
parents, students, business people, and taxpayers into the
type of community coalition that can help shape sound public
policy.
 The
School Finance Network also launched a multi-media and interactive
online effort to provide information and help for school-funding
reformers.
SFN’s website is at http://www.sfnwisconsin.org.
Additionally, Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace pages will keep
the public updated through video, podcasts, blogs, and more.
|
