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| Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent | ||
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| BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Student Senate May 8, 2007 |
Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street Madison, Wisconsin |
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I. Introductions
II. Tom Beebe - Institute for Wisconsin's Future
a. Coalition of 140 school districts, parents organizations, one student organization, and faith-based organizations (student organization is only about 6 months old)
b. The History:
i. Early schools funded primarily by property wealth (thousands of school districts existed)
ii. The wealthier the community, the higher the quality of education that it could buy for its students
iii. Government created Equalization Program - Add up property value and divide by number of students (property value per student). The lower the value, the poorer the community and vice versa. To equalize, state puts more money into the less fortunate communities. (for example: Madison has more property tax than other school systems, so it receives less state aid)
iv. State average: $500,000 to $600,000 per student
v. Wealth no longer is what it used to be (now it extends beyond property à measure of wealth has changed, but the standard hasn't)
vi. Legislature put QEO limits on educators' compensation, revenues (to protect taxpayers), and state financial support
1. QEO limits salary and benefits of staff
a. If QEO asks for a 3.8% raise, revenue only provides 2.5% (1.3% gap)
vii. Property tax relief isn't money that benefits state aid (goes back to taxpayers even though it's technically "benefiting schools")
viii. Legislature promised to pay 2/3 of special education costs, but they're currently paying only 28%
c. Challenge: the system, what it does to students, what it does to communities, etc.
i. Every student has a right to a free and sound education (Wisconsin Constitution) - public education means tax-supported
ii. Referenda to exceed revenue caps sometimes don't pass à faculty layoffs and school closings
d. Solution: students and adults working together to fight for schools
i. What we're doing won't work in the long run
ii. System pays attention to revenue per student (more students = more money)
iii. We need a system that gives equal opportunity to all children no matter where they life, no matter their physical needs
iv. Good schools have:
1. smaller learning communities
2. small class sizes
3. certified teachers and ongoing training
4. up-to-date technology
5. early childhood programs
6. programs for children with special needs
v. Every child in the state has a baseline funding of ~$8,900
e. Conclusion: as amount of funding decreases with respect to spending, the quality of education will suffer
f. SO...how do we change the system?
i. School funding system is the law, so we need to change the law. Lawmakers can change law if they have the will. Lawmakers and their vote work for you. Therefore, we need to work with our legislature.
g. ACTION
i. Get information and urge Madison legislatures to care about the issue and, more importantly, to discuss it
ii. Contact legislatures outside of Madison (lobby Hartford committee chair)
iii. Whatever you do, be public
iv. Wield power strategically
v. Target communities, not schools
vi. Make connections statewide
vii. Students should be involved
viii. Petitions, letters, e-mails, etc.
ix. Power to the people
III. Motion to join WAES
a. Motion: Hilary Cronon
b. Second: Laura Checovich
i. Passed unanimously
IV. Adjournment