| The current school funding formula has long been held hostage by revenue limits imposed by the state on school districts in 1993-94 as a short-term solution to curtail escalating school property taxes. Nearly 13 years later, revenue caps are still in place and school districts across the state have been forced to execute deeper and deeper cuts. Since 1993, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has cut over $52 million from their operating budget and has lost 615 full-time employees. In the next five school years, the district is estimating nearly $90 million will have to be cut from their operating budget. "This is just a another year of cuts," event co-organizer Jill Jacklitz said. "Each year, these cuts are more and more devastating to our children's education." For many, it is clear that the system is not working, but reform resolutions, if introduced at all, languish in the legislature. Lowell parents are demanding that children finally be viewed worthy enough to get the education they deserve. "They need to fund education so that all children can learn," event co-organizer Lynn Welch said. "Education needs to be at the top of the legislative [agenda]." Parents met with sympathetic ears at the capitol when they spoke with State Representative Joseph Parisi, a Lowell parent himself, and State Senator Mark Miller. Both lawmakers asserted their support of school finance reform. "I think that public education is our most important investment," Sen. Miller told parents. "Wisconsin has had such a strong tradition in education. But you just can't maintain excellence and not pay for it." Parisi expressed his frustration over the legislative agenda which has yet to deal with two issues he deems of utmost importance; school funding and healthcare. "Obviously, what's necessary is total reform of school funding." While parents were quite aware they wouldn't be immediately transforming the current school-funding formula by meeting with legislators who have vocally supported their cause, they hoped to set a precedent by increasing visibility for the plight of Madison schools. "We have to remain very visible about this issue and have solutions," Parisi told parents. Perhaps it was the children who were the most visible as they rambled the capital halls, wide-eyed and clad in bright colors. They might not fully grasp the impact of school funding and budget cuts, but they are the ones who will ultimately pay the price. |
| Lowell Elementary School parents at the State Capitol Increasing visibility of parents for quality education By Laura Salinger |
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| Lowell Elementary School parents and students are speaking out about what they call a "broken system." Over 40 parents and children visited the capitol recently to express their concerns about school funding; namely, that year after year of budget cuts is whittling away the quality of education that children receive in Madison schools. "The priorities in this state are totally upside down," event co-organizer and parent Jack Trudell said. "The discussion should not be how to minimize the impact of cuts to our school district, but how to provide a quality education for kids." Lowell parents argue that the current school-funding system is broken and major reform is necessary in order to repair and sustain the level of education that Wisconsin schools were once known for. They are not alone in this sentiment. The Institute for Wisconsin's Future-a non-profit policy research, education, and advocacy organization, said that for "well over a decade, the state's school-funding system has been failing our children" resulting in teacher lay-offs, lagging facility maintenance and upgrades, fewer course offerings, and cuts to services and programs. In a Capital Times editorial, MMSD school board members assert that "a slow, methodical dismantling of Wisconsin's premier state K-12 systems is occurring." |
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