Update Archive

School-funding update headlines - click on the week to see a .pdf version of the newsletter

Week of April 25, 2011

• Press conference offers better way than devastating cuts
• "There is a better way" makes sense ... you can help right now
• Devastating budget follows 18 years of school-funding misery
• WAES needs your help to keep talking about "a better way"
• WAES member, Beth LaBell, dubbed the "accidental activist"
• Former legislator Steve Hilgenberg died, March 27
• Walker's agenda a crusade against public schools, Tribune says
• New Baraboo group starts "civil discussion" about schools, funding
• School cuts spur conflict in Michigan
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of March 21, 2011

• Parent organizing meetings set in Dane County and Milwaukee
• Schools, communities struggling to deal with budget cuts
• "There's A Better Way Toolkit" now available to the public
• "There's A Better Way" T-shirts now available from WAES
• WAES members working hard to protect opportunities for kids
• New organizations offer the chance to be involved
• Don't forget students when thinking about MPS's future
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of February 28, 2011

• Breaking news: Gov. Walker admits to crushing school aid cuts
• Parents converging on Greenfield, March 5, to fight school cuts
• We can work together to stop billion-dollar aid cuts
• It makes no sense: More aid cuts on top of 18 years of cuts
• Why can't we all have great schools, Journal Sentinel writer asks
• WAES members working hard for school-funding reform
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of January 3, 2011

• Tell your school's story at new WAES website
• Increase in poverty puts stress on educational opportunities
• Effective educational opportunities depend on adequate resources
• Wisconsin's school districts preparing for the worst
• Funding reform on state newspapers' wish lists for 2011
• Legislators tell school board to get "creative" with budget
• WAES welcomes Greenfield Parents Education Association
• Diane Ravitch part of education challenge series, March 8
• Legislature has put school boards in unenviable position
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of November 1, 2010

• One thing didn't change last Tuesday: The need for school-funding reform
• Funding reform revolution might be starting in Nekoosa
• We still need "A Penny for Kids;" three groups pass resolution
• Revenue strapped schools cutting back on educationally vital programs
• Poverty is on the increase in Wisconsin
• WAES welcomes new member, but coalition needs your support
• Novel approaches to funding reform in Chicago, across Florida
• Texas school board group proposes school-finance reform plan
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of September 27, 2010

• WEAC-Fox Valley endorses "A Penny for Kids"
• Wisconsin's investment in our public schools is falling
• WAES welcomes new member to fight for school-funding reform
• "Moving Wisconsin Forward" rally on steps of Capitol, Oct. 16
• Two stories take down-to-earth look at school-funding crisis
• Children's letter writing campaign for gubernatorial candidates
• Milwaukee Public Television talks school-funding reform
• Barrett first to take on school-funding reform as campaign issue
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of August 16, 2010

• Campaign season offers hope for school-funding reform
• Ask your community school board to endorse "A Penny for Kids"
• WAES needs your support to fight for school-funding reform
• Two new media stories tout "A Penny for Kids"
• School libraries, librarians are canary in the coal mind of funding crisis
• Steve Walters pulls back the curtain on how the Legislature works
• Wisconsin is "an average state," not a "tax hell"
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of July 19, 2010

• State aid estimates look no better for 2010-11 school year
• DPI announces increased aid to small, rural school districts
• National group planning Million Teacher March, July 30
• Consolidation not working, districts turn to collaboration
• Members join, renew with WAES to continue coalition's good work
• Kids aren't blueberries and other educational facts
• School-funding reform update from around the country
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of May 24, 2010

• "A Penny for Kids" -- It's head-scratching time in Wisconsin
• Sales tax hike mentioned in Representatives survey
• Funding crises deepen for Wisconsin school districts
• Some things we'd like to hear Wisconsin's new Governor say
• WEAC, WREA pass resolutions pushing school-funding reform
• One WAES member honored, another joins radio discussion
• WAES has work to do and needs your help to do it
• Rural group's work is primer on school-finance reform
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of March 24, 2010

• School-funding reform is the topic of the day under The Dome
• Students coming to the front of the school-funding reform effort
• "Category 5" crisis for schools ... "A Penny for Kids" would help
• Four-day school week is getting mixed reviews
• Brodhead superintendent lays out need for April 6 referendum
• WAES needs your support to keep working for school-funding reform
• School-funding reform front and center on Wisconsin Eye
• Rep. Schneider says we must pay the price for quality schools
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of Feb. 15, 2010

• WAES moves into fund-raising effort
• Schools around state continue to cut programs, services
• State budget puts school districts into a lose-lose situation
• Wisconsin Advanced Placement test takers beat national average
• Grassroots festival will feature panel on school-funding reform
• Support for schools works its way up publics' agenda
• School-funding reform remedies proceed in Ohio, Washington
• Oregonians vote in tax increases to protect schools, other services
• IWF, others to host forum on local revenue challenges
• Cutting dropouts is good thing for Milwaukee and the U.S.
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of January 25, 2010

• Talk to your legislators, public about "A Penny for Kids"
• "A Penny for Kids" getting some welcome support
• Some voters say "raise taxes, don't cut any more programs"
• School-funding reform featured on WisconsinEye
• Details of Kansas lawsuit sound familiar in Wisconsin
• Solve MPS funding problems with a new formula, ACLU says
• Membership list is growing, but WAES needs your support
• Property tax increases drive few elderly from their homes
• WCCF analysis shows, again, Wisconsin isn't a tax, spending hell
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of January 4, 2010

• Sign petition urging legislators to consider "A Penny for Kids"
• Governor's school-funding reform ... raise property taxes?
• UW education dean wonders if a "Race to the Top" is what is needed
• Neenah, Stevens Point deal with school budget deficits
• School-funding formula is moving the pain around the state
• New school but old funding problems for Greenfield
• Greenfield joins WAES, but your help is needed
• School-funding, education reform forum set in Middleton, Jan. 28
• Rep. Mark Pocan talks funding reform in the Lions' Den
• Gazette surprised Wisconsin spends less than average on schools
• IWF, WTA note drops in Wisconsin's spending and taxing ranks
• New report says better early education would benefit the economy
• Correction to an earlier story
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of Nov. 30, 2009

• It's time to stand up for schools ... sign petition for "A Penny for Kids"
• Latest state budget continues to complicate school-funding impact
• Future for school funding not getting any brighter
• WAES needs renewals, new members to continue work
• Three northern districts try co-op sports team to save money
• Sens. Olsen and Schultz deliver pessimistic news to Baraboo residents
• Ashland co-op designates patronage refunds for school activities
• As poverty increases, schools struggle to provide programs, services
• The Capital Times has a good read on school-funding reform
• IWF's Jack Norman now in the blogosphere
• Wisconsin's school-funding system runs afoul of the Constitution
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of Oct. 26, 2009

• WAES, others groups criticize Governor's "funding plan"
• Electors saying no to levy hikes resulting from state budget
• Public, media understand the source of school funding problems
• State of Washington wants pennies for its kids, too
• Business leaders back expansion of early childhood education
• WAES needs renewals, new members to continue work
• Other states get it ... what's wrong with Wisconsin?
• Colorado Supreme Court will hear adequacy challenge
• WAES members take case on funding reform to the public
• It's time for America to pay attention to its schools again
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar
  

Week of Sept. 28, 2009

• As crisis grows, WAES goes after "Pennies for Kids"
• Wisconsin faces explosion of kids in poverty
• As predicted, frustration and anger growing around the state
• Manitowoc area school districts "dealing the hand they're dealt"
• Point administrators, board, and support staff agree to pay freeze
• Dunn County Retired Educators Association joins WAES
• Former DPI candidate calls for statewide school-funding referendum
• SAGE is a resounding success for Appleton's poorest children
• Wisconsin families open enrolling children into higher spending districts
• Levy defeated so district eliminates all extra-curricular activities
• DPI has great glossary of school-funding terms
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar
  

Week of Aug. 24, 2009

• Now is the time to sign up for funding reform discussion
• Madison and Beloit newspapers call for funding reform
• Racine and Stevens Point looking at ways to head off budget cuts
• WCCF fights for, wins changes for Homestead Tax Credit
• Four WAES members renew membership ... now it's your turn
• WASB resolutions for 2010 are due on Sept. 15
• New report compares public, private school expenditures
• Group says it's time to "get real about helping rural schools"
• DPI has great glossary of school-funding terms
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar
  

Week of June 8, 2009

• Legislators invited to Walk on the Child's Side
• Legislature considering bad budget for public schools
• School districts, statewide, look for more cuts in their budgets
• Maybe it's time to make some noise for school-funding reform
• John Smart asks Governor, Legislature to "Save our schools!"
• WAES membership keeps the reform message before the public
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of March 23, 2009

• JFC meetings start 2009-11 budget process
• Funding reform, SFN plan subject of WRP talk show
• SFN reform plan subject of April 21 hearing at the Capitol
• School districts continue to look for efficiencies
• Cuts, lay-offs, school closings continue statewide
• Districts all over the state asking voters for operating funds
• HOPE plan introduced as a constitutional amendment
• Cole wonders: Are we watching a school-funding drama or comedy?
• Join WAES and spread reform message statewide
• Stoughton school district newest member of WAES
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of February 16, 2009

• Governor gets involved in school-funding reform discussion
• Governor's budget helps schools keep their heads above water
• Funding reform effort gaining steam around the state
• WAES doing good work, but needs your financial support
• Two new members join WAES; 11 renew memberships
• HOPE plan making rounds of Legislature again this session
• New study shows benefits to Wisconsin of combined reporting
• Norman talks school-funding reform on Milwaukee Public Radio
• School-funding reform news from around Wisconsin
• Get involved in budget process at WCCF 2009 Advocacy Camp
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of February 2, 2009

• SFN funding-reform plan unveiled around the state
• Stories detail school-funding crisis in northern Wisconsin
• Federal stimulus plan targets education in all 50 states
• IWF continues work on reforming Wisconsin tax policy
• List of new, renewed WAES members is growing
• Fewer dropouts would save U.S. billions of dollars
• Baraboo News Republic calls for school-funding reform in 2009
• Citizens fighting Maine's forced school consolidation law
• School districts continue to cut programs for children
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of October 6, 2008

• Now is the time to join WAES and the reform effort
• Funding woes hit large, small, and in-between districts
• Press Gazette says candidates must address school-funding reform
• WAES working to make school-funding reform topic of campaigns
• MPS asks for three years of district financial projections
• "New Minnesota Miracle" would increase school funding $2 billion
• Impact of consolidation will be topic of online seminar
• Arkansas Legislature keeps track of "an adequate education"
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of September 22, 2008

• School-funding scheme is pushing MPS to the limit
• Burmaster’s budget recognizes problems with funding system
• WAES working to make school-funding reform topic of campaigns
• Washburn, Auburndale, and Loyal join district referenda list
• School councils association joins funding-reform effort
• Appleton projecting a $3.6 million budget shortfall
• State Journal calls for closing of sales tax loophole
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of September 8, 2008

• Five of eight referenda OK'd during Tuesday's election
• Schools drive economy, State Journal editorial says
• WAES working to make school-funding reform topic of campaigns
• School-funding reform discussed on Gateway Tech public radio
• Four new members join WAES effort to change funding system
• Help WAES correct e-mail update glitch
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of August 20, 2008

• Wausaukee passes referendum but dissolution process continues
• WAES talks to candidates about school-funding reform
• Let WAES know if you have a candidate forum scheduled
• Is another referendum in the future for Madison schools?
• Students learn hard lesson in school budgeting
• It's easy to join WAES and the school-funding reform effort
• Janesville board split over $1 million in school budget cuts
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of August 4, 2008

• Let WAES know if you have a candidate forum scheduled
• Sen. Schultz says "referendum-centric" funding system isn't working
• Energy, food costs could cut into Altoona's educational focus
• Madison begins exploring need for another referendum
• More investment in education is way to lower property taxes, WSJ says
• Is four-day week coming to a school district near you?
• It's easy to join WAES and the school-funding reform effort
• School-funding reform calendar
  

Week of July 21, 2008

• First school-funding reform candidate forum scheduled
• Referendum Aug. 19, but Wausaukee still pursues dissolution
• Champions for Excellence work in Kettle Moraine
• New research brief links funding to academic achievement
• Is state's funding system standing in the way of energy efficiency?
• Wisconsin needs a simpler and fairer tax system
• WAES picks up three new members but more are needed
• School-funding reform calendar
  

Week of June 30, 2008

• School-funding formula claims Wausaukee School District
• Wausaukee School District to dissolve? Let's talk about it
• Small school districts get a little bit of sparsity aid from state
• Take this chance to help school-funding reform effort
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of June 16, 2008

• Good news and not so good news out of Winneconne
• Wisconsin's tax ranking drops ... What does it mean?
• Tomah Journal wants candidates to get real about spending cuts
• WAES upgrades website; joins YouTube and Facebook
• Sen. Schultz continues to advocate school-funding reform
• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• Yet more proof that early-childhood-education programs work
• School-funding reform organization welcomes four new members
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of May 15, 2008

• WAES website is getting a new look
• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• Crandon School District is 100th member of WAES
• Destruction of education predicted in northern Wisconsin
• Fix was only temporary -- Waukesha considers another referendum
• Lack of revenue drives a wedge between city and school district
• Energy prices create budget challenges in Melrose-Mindoro

Week of May 5, 2008

• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• WAES closing in on the 100-member mark
• Reps. Hilgenberg, Garthwaite step out on school-funding reform
• Head Start makes a difference ... even keeps people out of jail
• Food and fuel drive cost of school districts, too
• Cuts endanger programs in Appleton, Waupun, and Door County
• More school districts forced to talk about consolidation
• California schools need private money just to cover the basics
• A good quote for the week

Week of April 14, 2008

• Just in -- Two more school districts talking dissolution
• Madison's "Mayor Dave" talks about school-funding reform
• State dropping to the middle in terms of per-pupil spending
• Latest, WEAC-WASDA survey finds 94% of districts making cuts
• Half referenda failed April 1; 26 districts back to square one
• Budget woes for Oshkosh, Washburn, and Menomonee Falls
• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• Organizations from around the state are WAES members

Week of March 18, 2008

• Another state budget deficit slows funding reform effort
• Ashland, Manitowoc school districts face cuts to fill budget holes
• Teachers talk about funding cuts on new WEAC video
• Sen. Schultz acknowledges hope for school-funding reform
• 41 referenda set; administrators leaving; AJR35 voted down
• School-funding reform covered on Eau Claire area public radio
• School librarians on the budget chopping block in Colorado, too
• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• Organizations from around the state are WAES members
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of February 28, 2008

• Appleton, Kaukauna deal with school budget cuts
• School-funding referenda are piling up around the state
• Groups support Governor for protecting services
• Just an opinion: Is virtual school funding getting too much attention?
• School-funding reform calendar

Week of February 20, 2008

• Fire puts IWF and WAES out of their home but not out of business
• School-funding crises intensifying around the state
• WAES needs your support now more than ever
• Funding problems limiting superintendent candidate pool
• Bill would shine the light of day of corporate profits and taxes
• State budget deficit ... what does it mean to public schools
• Legislation to pay attention to coming down the pike
• School-funding reform calendar
  

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