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NEWS THAT MATTERS TO KIDS & PUBLIC SCHOOLS
- INADEQUATE EDUCATION BUDGET PASSES WI LEGISLATURE
On Tues., June 29, the State Assembly passed a budget that provided no increase to public school districts’ revenue limits — which means zero new dollars in most classrooms — by a vote of 64-34. Then, on Wed., June 30, the State Senate did the same, passing the budget by a vote of 23-9. Our Education Vote Tracker is updated with how each member of the legislature voted. Eighty Republicans and seven Democrats voted for this budget (combining both chambers). See our reaction to the budget passage here — including a call to action to contact the governor — and the letter Dr. Julie Underwood sent to Governor Evers on behalf of the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools (WAES) Board here.
The governor has six days from taking up the budget bill to make any vetos and sign a 2021-23 biennial state budget into law. We will have updates from the governor’s office when news is available.
Check out the WisconsinEye Morning Minute from July 7, 2021 with Governor Tony Evers discussing the budget.
ACTION OPPORTUNITIES
- SUMMER SUMMIT REGISTRATION
REGISTER FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL SUMMER SUMMIT! Visit WisconsinNetwork.org/Summit to register. This year’s theme is Closing the Gaps, and a regular $25 ticket to the Summit on August 2 includes participation in the optional Equity in Action Leadership Circle series AND lunch at Sun Prairie High School! In-person participation is encouraged of all who are comfortable attending.- Register for the Summit, dinner, and the Equity in Action Leadership Circle here.
- We’re also calling for Auction, Drawing, and Book Bag Sponsors for Summer Summit! We’re looking for full baskets, individual items, gifts cards, book bag sponsors, and more. Please see the form link for details: https://forms.gle/bWkh1dgJ7hqRPLkz9. With questions, contact Jenni@WisconsinNetwork.org
- Finally, we look forward to honoring all nominees and naming a new Changemaker of the Year at this year’s Summer Summit. Please nominate anyone and everyone you know who has made committed, meaningful change for kids and public schools to be Changemaker of the Year! Fill out this form to do so.
- CONTACT THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE BUDGET
As is included in our communications above and via email, the people of Wisconsin have participated in democracy at every turn of the state budget process. Still, the budget that passed into law does not reflect the will of the people by not adequately or equitably funding public schools. Contact the governor and let him know what you think of the budget now. - ACLU SUMMER JUSTICE INSTITUTE
Our friends at the ACLU of Wisconsin are offering the 2021 Summer Justice Institute for high school students (primarily in the Milwaukee area) July 19 – 30, in a hybrid format. The deadline to register is Friday, July 9.
LOCAL ACTION SPOTLIGHT: UPDATES FROM AROUND THE STATE
Statewide
STATEWIDE DAY OF ACTION
On June 21, 2021, public school leaders, educators, families, and advocates across the state took part in coordinated, nonpartisan, local actions to push for a stronger education budget. The day drew headlines across the state all week and demonstrated the enormous groundswell of public support for adequate and equitable school funding.
Statewide headlines:
- Wisconsin School Officials, Families Push Back Against Legislature’s School Funding Plan – Wisconsin Public Radio
- Wisconsin School Leaders Blast Republican K-12 Spending Plan – Todd Richmond, Associated Press, WUWM
- School Districts, Democrats Decry Republican K-12 Education ‘Shell Game’ for Wisconsin – Mitchell Schmidt, Wisconsin State Journal
- Public Education Leaders on State K-12 Funding – WisconsinEye Morning Minute, June 22, 2021
- UpNorthNews Email Roundup, June 21, 2021 (second section: “Education Advocates Call Out GOP School Spending Plan, Which Barely Provides a Boost”)
- “How to Blow a $4 Billion Surplus” – UpNorthNews’s “Devil’s Advocate” Podcast, June 23, 2021, Executive Director Heather DuBois Bourenane joins Kristin Brey, Pat Kreitlow and Kirk Bangstad
- Wisconsin School District Leaders Blast GOP’s Education Budget, Despite Access to Billions in Federal Money – Elizabeth Beyer, Lake Geneva News
Check out our YouTube playlist for video clips from the day, including interview and clips from the Dane County press conference, courtesy of the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools.
See the full Day of Action highlights post here.
Northwest Wisconsin
Day of Action headlines:
- ‘I Feel Like We’re Being Punished’: Schools Push Back Against GOP Budget Plan – UpNorthNews, June 21, 2021
- “We used the [federal money] in the way we were supposed to. We used it to keep our schools open, to keep our students learning while keeping them safe,” [Osseo-Fairchild Superintendent Lori] Whelan said. “Now I feel like we’re being punished for doing that.”
- ECASD Officials, Parents, Alumni Call on Lawmakers During Statewide Day of Action – WQOW 18, June 21, 2021
- “‘These ESSER funds are one-time dollars to help support our students and families who have endured significant emotional trauma, mental health concerns, and learning loss,’ said ECASD Superintendent Michael Johnson. ‘We desperately need our legislators to collaborate; recognizing that an ongoing investment in our students at such a critical time in their lives will greatly benefit our community and state for many, many years.’”
- Day of Action for Education Organized Ahead of State Budget Votes – WEAU 13, June 21, 2021
- Full ECASD Press Conference as streamed on Facebook Live
Southwest Wisconsin
Day of Action headlines:
- ‘Flat Budgets, Increasing Costs’: School Leaders, Organizations Push for Increased School Funding in 2021-23 Budget – Scott Girard, Capital Times, June 21, 2021
- Channel 3000 Video Coverage of Dane County Press Conference at the Capitol
- Dave Hoekstra, conservative Sun Prairie School Board member, speaks at 19:13
- Heather DuBois Bourenane’s closing remarks begin at 31:50
- Officials Bash State Budget Plan During SPASD Budget Meeting – Sun Prairie Star, June 25, 2021
- ‘“Either they’re ignorant of ESSER and what it can be used for or they’re ignorant of what schools need,” [Phil] Frei [Sun Prairie Area School District Director of Business and Finance] said. “Because we need an increase in our per pupil spending that can’t come from ESSER dollars. I think that’s one of the messages we need to get out.”’
- Public School Advocates Call for Fair Funding – Lake Mills Leader, June 21, 2021
- ‘“Few things can attest to the strength and unity of a community like a public school system. At their best, public schools are vehicles of formal and informal learning, social connections, and democracy. The way our community bands together to support our students inside and outside of the classroom is a testament to our values,” said Annika Purisch, a 2021 LMHS graduate during the CAPE event. “I would not be the person I am today without my public education. Without my public school teachers and principals and staff to support me over so many years. I would like to make a not-so-radical statement and say what happens inside of the walls of a classroom matters. And it’s about time our state government started acting like it.”’
Northeast Wisconsin
Day of Action highlights:
- Fox Cities Advocates for Public Education Hold School Funding Rally – We Are Green Bay, June 21, 2021
- Wisconsin School Leaders Blast Republican K-12 Spending Plan – WBAY, June 21, 2021
- ‘“The federal help is a short term thing, once it’s gone it is gone. Then we’ll need to operate and the Joint Finance Committee’s proposal is going to put us in bad shape in about a year,” said Jim Bowman, a member of the Fox Cities Advocates for Public Education.’
- Advocates for Public Education Rally for More Funding for Schools – Fox 11, June 21, 2021
- Education Activist Groups React to Proposed State Education Budget – NBC 26 Green Bay, June 22, 2021
- ‘”In this state in particular but in society in general we underfund special education,” [John] Jahnke [who sits on the Governor’s Council on Autism and the State Superintendent’s Parents Advisory Council] said. “The long-term impact of underfunding special education is that a child with a disability becomes an adult with a disability who’s underprepared.”‘
Southeast Wisconsin
Day of Action highlights:
- School Leaders Call on Lawmakers to Use Projected Surplus Funds for Education – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, June 21, 2021
- ‘U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, speaking outside the MPS central offices, called the move a “shell game” undermining the intention of the federal requirement.
“It’s going to lead to educational deficits, and we’re calling upon the Republicans to stop treating us like we’re stupid,” Moore said. “Stop high-fiving yourself about meeting the educational needs of our children, because you have not.”’
- ‘U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, speaking outside the MPS central offices, called the move a “shell game” undermining the intention of the federal requirement.
- MPS Calls for More State Funding, Republicans Say Additional Federal Aid is Enough – TMJ4, June 21, 2021
- Full Video of Milwaukee Press Conference, MPS on YouTube
- “Invest In Kids” Light Brigade, June 20, 2021 – Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association (MTEA) / Joe Brusky on Flickr
- South Milwaukee Virtual Press Conference, June 22, 2021 – via Zoom
- “To say that we should use [federal COVID-19 earmarked relief funds] for ongoing operations is the definition of fiscal irresponsibility.” – Blaise Paul, South Milwaukee School District Business Manager
- Letter: Skimping on Special Ed Funding Hurts All Public School Students – Ozaukee Press, June 23, 2021
CHANGEMAKER APPRECIATION
Spotlight on Marcia and Patti from Fox Cities Advocates for Public Education, who joined Julie from WAES and Denise from Team Public in attending the legislative floor sessions on the budget in person. This is the single most important piece of legislation elected leaders pass in Wisconsin every two years, and their persistent engagement in the democratic process is an integral part of the process. Thank you, Marcia and Patti!
PLEASE JOIN US
If you haven’t already, please consider joining Wisconsin Public Education Network as a contributing partner and making a monthly donation to the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools to support our advocacy. A small donation of just $5 or $10 per month can go a long way and ensure we have the resources to grow our advocacy and maximize our impact. Donate here.
PARTNER & ACTION RESOURCES
