Doyle's Budget: Teacher Layoffs On The Way?
New Governor Warns 'Changes' Are Coming
Posted: 8:47 am CST January 22,2003Updated: 9:42 am CST January 22,2003
MADISON, Wis. -- School districts across Wisconsin are watching closely to see what might happen to education in the state budget -- including teacher layoffs.
Teachers marched into Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton's office Tuesday with 5,000 signed cards on strings to make sure the new administration knows no issue is being watched as closely as this one.Gov. Jim Doyle is not tipping his hand, but has warned changes are coming.Students, parents and teachers are urging government to spend more, not less. Madison's education leaders are concerned about what Doyle might do amid rumors of possible funding freezes."It's a real difficult time because we don't really know how to plan at this point," said Madison Superintendent Art Rainwater. "We have to look at everything. I don't think there's any questions it would change the way our school district looks. It certainly will affect some of the services that we're able to provide."Madison's district officials fear teacher layoffs, especially if the state freezes spending and salaries go up. It will effectively cut the Madison budget by $6 to $10 million.That will almost certainly mean layoffs, News 3 reported."We cannot solve this problem by trying to save a few dollars on schools," the Rev. Joseph Jackson of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee. "It's our greatest responsibility."
Lawton told the marching teachers, "Gov. Doyle has made it clear that the protection and the education of the children of the state of wisconsin is a guiding principle by which this budget will be written."But no matter what is said, a billion-dollar budget holes have a way of striking fear into every group.Madison district officials say it simply cannot cut further.Since 1993, they cut $25 million, including 250 positions.If spending is frozen, district officials say they are no alternatives left, but to look at teacher positions.
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Teachers marched into Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton's office Tuesday with 5,000 signed cards on strings to make sure the new administration knows no issue is being watched as closely as this one.Gov. Jim Doyle is not tipping his hand, but has warned changes are coming.Students, parents and teachers are urging government to spend more, not less. Madison's education leaders are concerned about what Doyle might do amid rumors of possible funding freezes."It's a real difficult time because we don't really know how to plan at this point," said Madison Superintendent Art Rainwater. "We have to look at everything. I don't think there's any questions it would change the way our school district looks. It certainly will affect some of the services that we're able to provide."Madison's district officials fear teacher layoffs, especially if the state freezes spending and salaries go up. It will effectively cut the Madison budget by $6 to $10 million.That will almost certainly mean layoffs, News 3 reported."We cannot solve this problem by trying to save a few dollars on schools," the Rev. Joseph Jackson of the Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church in Milwaukee. "It's our greatest responsibility."Lawton told the marching teachers, "Gov. Doyle has made it clear that the protection and the education of the children of the state of wisconsin is a guiding principle by which this budget will be written."But no matter what is said, a billion-dollar budget holes have a way of striking fear into every group.Madison district officials say it simply cannot cut further.Since 1993, they cut $25 million, including 250 positions.If spending is frozen, district officials say they are no alternatives left, but to look at teacher positions.Copyright 2007 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
