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Voters Overwhelmingly Choose To Support Public Education PDF Print E-mail
Education - Articles for Education
Written by Democratic Party of Wisconsin   
Wednesday, 22 February 2017 17:40

school-funds-rallyVote for Evers shows Wisconsinites want a strong public education system based on excellent educators, motivated parents, and active community leaders all working together to provide our children with the preparation they need to be successful in life.


MADISON - For decades, a strong public education system opened doors of opportunity for millions of Wisconsinites. And last night, the voters came out in support of our public schools and the 860,000 public school children all across our state.

tony_evers"The message from the voters was clear last night," Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby said on Wednesday. "Wisconsinites want a strong public education system based on excellent educators, motivated parents, and active community leaders all working together to provide our children with the preparation they need to be successful in life."

There is only one candidate in race truly committed to public schools, State Superintendent Tony Evers who received 69 percent of the vote in Tuesday's primary. His opponent, Lowell Holtz, has spent his campaign flip-flopping on education issues and following the lead of the pro-unaccountable private voucher school advocates who promise to pour money into his campaign.

"Holtz publicly endorsed Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos and her record of supporting privatizing public schools across the country," said Weathersby. "Holtz also proposed and discussed a House of Cards-style election bribe in exchange for the support of his conservative rival in during the primary. Making Holtz not only an enemy of public education but a self-dealing opportunist who will put himself before Wisconsin's schoolchildren."

 
Humphries, Holtz Plot Takeover of Wisconsin's 5 Largest School Districts PDF Print E-mail
Education - Articles for Education
Written by Tony Evers for State Supt   
Thursday, 16 February 2017 11:50

kids-milwState Superintendent candidates met in December to discuss combining campaign efforts. Five school districts, including Green Bay, serve 165,000 public school kids in Wisconsin.


MADISON - On February 15, 2017 news reports broke that State Superintendent candidates John Humphries and Lowell Holtz met in December of 2016 to discuss the possibility of combining their campaign efforts in exchange for well compensated positions within the Department of Public Instruction following the spring election.

While the who said what details of those discussions appear to be in dispute between the two men, both provided documentation of their encounter to the Wisconsin State Journal that outlined the complete takeover of Wisconsin's 5 largest school districts.

  • Green Bay Area Public Enrollment: 21,035 students
  • Kenosha Enrollment: 22,357 students
  • Madison Metropolitan Enrollment: 27,304 students
  • Milwaukee Public Schools Enrollment: 75,766 students
  • Racine Unified Enrollment:19,494 students

The new position outlined in Humphries' and Holtz's proposal would have or seek the following unprecedented authority:

  • Unchecked power to break up the school districts
  • Unilateral discretion to change the school boards when"deemed necessary"
  • Complete rule making authority for the school districts

These five school districts combined serve 165,000 public school kids in Wisconsin. All five have elected school boards, chosen by Wisconsin voters, who are responsible for overseeing the districts.

The following is a statement from Tony Evers for State Superintendent Campaign Manager, Amanda Brink:

"Voters across Wisconsin will head to the polls on Tuesday for the spring primary. They deserve to know beforehand the details of Humphries and Holtz's plot to takeover our five largest school districts.

"This plan, if implemented, will impact almost 20 percent of the public school kids in Wisconsin, and would strip away parents and community member's rights to weigh in on their local districts.

"This is a massive power grab. It isn't a conversation that can be simply brushed aside. This is a proposal for a heavy handed, top-down approach struck through a backroom deal between a few unnamed business leaders and two politicians looking out for their own financial interests.

Wisconsinites deserve better. Our kids deserve better."

****

Document provided by John Humphries

Document provided by Lowell Holtz

Last Updated on Thursday, 16 February 2017 15:20
 
Walker Rural School Plan "A Drop In The Bucket" PDF Print E-mail
Education - Articles for Education
Written by Janet Bewley Press, State Senator Dist 25   
Thursday, 02 February 2017 16:27

teaching-studentsAnd There’s A Hole In The Bucket


MADISON - Governor Scott Walker says he plans to incorporate funding relief for rural schools into his 2017-19 biennial budget.

Unfortunately, Governor Walker’s announcement amounts to a drop in the bucket and pales in comparison to three budgets of school cuts, totaling $1 billion.

janet-bewleyOverall state aid, including the categorical aids noted today, was less per pupil in our most recent school year than it was six years ago because of aid diverted to private schools. And property taxpayers are having to make up the difference.

Northern schools, and Northern property taxpayers, have taken the brunt of budget cuts to our schools. Districts have had to go to taxpayers time and again to make up for deep cuts.

Even worse – more diversions of state aid to unaccountable voucher and charter schools have put a hole in the bucket. Tax dollars that should be coming home are sent to private charter schools before our local public schools are even considered.

Wisconsin taxpayers who work for a living will give $27 million to the statewide voucher industry this year alone.

Instead of congratulating themselves on taking baby steps, it’s time for Republican leaders to plug the hole that is draining local schools that have been the foundations of our communities in the North for generations.

 
John Humphries' School Privatization Plot Thickens PDF Print E-mail
Education - Articles for Education
Written by Democratic Party of Wisconsin, Brandon Weathersby   
Friday, 27 January 2017 11:54

john-humphriesState Superintendent candidate Humphries took his privatization crusade further Thursday, announcing details to shift more resources to unaccountable private voucher schools and convert public neighborhood schools to them.


MADISON - A strong public education system is key to opening the doors of opportunity for millions of Wisconsinites. But right-wing State Superintendent candidate John Humphries is deadset on privatizing Wisconsin public schools and leaving students, parents, and educators behind.

martha-laning-answerHumphries first rolled out a new report card system that gave most schools in Wisconsin an 'F' in academics, including his own Dodgeville School District where Humphries spent the last five years as an administrator. Today, Humphries took his privatization crusade a step further, announcing details to shift more resources to unaccountable private voucher schools and outlining his plan to convert public neighborhood schools to private voucher schools.

"For decades, Wisconsin's economy and its residents benefited from a strong public education system based on excellent educators, motivated parents, and communities working together to provide our children with the preparation they need to be successful in life," Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Martha Laning said on Thursday. "John Humphries doesn't understand that and instead he is doing the bidding of wealthy right-wing special interests who seek to make millions on the backs of young Wisconsinites."

Last Updated on Friday, 27 January 2017 12:13
 
Evers Wants More Mental Resources Directed To Our Students PDF Print E-mail
Education - Articles for Education
Written by Tony Evers for State Superintendent, Amanda Brink   
Saturday, 07 January 2017 12:18

tony_eversWe need a full-time, dedicated person, not a part-time consultant, whose concern is the kids says State Superintendent.


john-humphriesMADISON - In Wisconsin, January 5, 2017 news reports showed State Superintendent candidate John Humphries had resigned from his full-time position; however, on the same day, he received a $650/day contract as a consultant by the same district. The school district approved his resignation and hired his consulting company in the same December 12th meeting.

Humphries is listed on the district’s website as the Director of Pupil Services/School Psychologist.

“Our concern is for the kids in the school district," said Tony Evers' campaign manager, Amanda Brink. "They need a full-time, dedicated person, not a part-time consultant. Now more than ever, we need to make a concerted effort to put every dollar we can afford into the resources our kids need to excel. In talking with school leaders across Wisconsin who faced these tragedies first hand, Tony has heard clearly that our frontline staff need more support and resources to address mental health and substance abuse issues."

Recently Tony Evers requested $6 million in additional funds to expand mental health services for students across Wisconsin. Tony Evers proposal includes $3 million that would help schools hire more social workers.”

Last Updated on Saturday, 07 January 2017 13:38
 
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