To the editor:
Every year we acknowledge that our fine school system exists due to the support of our entire community. The reason for this communication is to ask for you assistance. The Clintonville Public Schools has operated under state imposed revenue limits for over two decades. Even with those limits there were revenue increases allowed at the rate of inflation due to costs increasing each year.
Funding has been changing rapidly over the past couple of years. Or proposed general fund budget for 2014-15 is over $2 million less than what our budget was in 2011. During this time period, state aids have dropped to less than 56 percent of the budget; eight years ago state aids were over 67 percent.
In the proposed K-12 budget by Governor Walker for next year, there are several significant proposals that would negatively impact our local schools financially. These proposals include the following:
• Governor Walker’s current proposal to cut $150 per student would reduce our budget by $209,500 and reduce educational opportunities for our students.
• Each year our costs of operation go up, including fair cost-of-living wages for our staff. The allotted amount for the next year is 1.62 percent. By including this modest increase along with increased utility and upkeep costs, our costs were set to go up nearly $600,000. Adding Governor Walker’s proposal t that would leave us short over $800,000 for next year.
• Expanding the school voucher program (which takes public school aid and gives it to participating private schools; essentially expanding taxpayer subsidies to private schools). This reduces state funding to all public schools.
• Funding $211.2 million to increase the misnamed school levy tax credit. Schools do not receive this money. It is given to municipalities and adds no resources to schools.
The students of the state of Wisconsin should continue to invest in one of the nation’s best public education systems. Please contact your legislators and the governor to share your concerns and support an increase in public school funding for the 2015-17 biennium: Gov. Scott Walker, 608-266-1212, govgeneral@wisconsin.gov; Sen. Robert L. Cowles, 608-266-0484, Sen.Cowles@legis.wisconsin.gov; Sen. Luther S. Olsen, 608-266-0751, Sen.Olsen@legis.wisconsin.gov; Rep. Gary Tauchen, 608-266-3097, Rep.Tauchen@legis.wisconsin.gov; Rep. Kevin Petersen, 608-266-3794, Rep.Petersen@legis.wisconsin.gov.
Thank you for your continued support.
Tom O’Toole,
Superintendent of Schools,
Clintonville Public School District
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