Resolution Seeks Change To School Funding System
Senate Education Committee Considers Resolution
Updated: 8:11 am CST November 16, 2007
MADISON, Wis. -- After years of state revenue limits, state lawmakers are considering whether state school funding should be changed.
VIDEO: Watch The Report | 
TALKBACK: What Do You Think?A resolution before the Senate Education Committee doesn't have a plan to change school funding -- it just says it should be changed. Lawmakers need to decide if that's what they want to do, but districts and groups across the state are saying they need nothing less than a new system."The quality of a child's education should not be based on where he or she lives, or the willingness of the adults in his or her community to support a referendum," said Larry Black, district administrator for the Wisconsin Heights School District.Wisconsin Heights School District said the funding issue has been frustrating. The current school funding system dictates that schools needing more money to operate can only get it through a referendum.The first referendum in the district's history failed there in February, when voters declined to cover a growing budget deficit caused by a drop in students, saying they wanted a long-term solution."We repeated the same refrain. The solution to problems in local school funding must ultimately come from a change in state funding," Black said.That refrain has become a chorus across the state. School officials, students and both school and taxpayer groups packed a Capitol hearing to convey that they believe the funding formula needs to change."We have a dedicated track team but no track to run on. We have talented singers and actors, but no stage. We have brilliant minds, but no outlet for their creativity," said Mallory Massey, a senior at Pecatonica High School."While the evidence is anecdotal, a child attending a school in Verona has a much different continuing of services than a child that goes to school in Florence," said Tony Evers, the deputy state superintendent.Lawmakers in both houses will decide whether or not to approve a resolution to change the system by July 1, 2009."It's kind of a chicken and egg scenario. What should we do, fix the funding formula or come up with new funding? And I agree both would be good," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, a Democrat from Middleton.Wisconsin Heights school officials said that answer can't come soon enough."Its about a willingness to build a better mousetrap, before our existing mousetrap snaps shut on the necks of struggling school districts across the state," Black said.There was overwhelming support in the Thursday hearing for the resolution. While more than 30 people testified, there was only one person registering in opposition.If this measure would pass the committees or through the Legislature, it would only resolve to change the formula, WISC-TV reported. A new group would likely be convened to discuss the best way to accomplish that.
VIDEO: Watch The Report | TALKBACK: What Do You Think?A resolution before the Senate Education Committee doesn't have a plan to change school funding -- it just says it should be changed. Lawmakers need to decide if that's what they want to do, but districts and groups across the state are saying they need nothing less than a new system."The quality of a child's education should not be based on where he or she lives, or the willingness of the adults in his or her community to support a referendum," said Larry Black, district administrator for the Wisconsin Heights School District.Wisconsin Heights School District said the funding issue has been frustrating. The current school funding system dictates that schools needing more money to operate can only get it through a referendum.The first referendum in the district's history failed there in February, when voters declined to cover a growing budget deficit caused by a drop in students, saying they wanted a long-term solution."We repeated the same refrain. The solution to problems in local school funding must ultimately come from a change in state funding," Black said.That refrain has become a chorus across the state. School officials, students and both school and taxpayer groups packed a Capitol hearing to convey that they believe the funding formula needs to change."We have a dedicated track team but no track to run on. We have talented singers and actors, but no stage. We have brilliant minds, but no outlet for their creativity," said Mallory Massey, a senior at Pecatonica High School."While the evidence is anecdotal, a child attending a school in Verona has a much different continuing of services than a child that goes to school in Florence," said Tony Evers, the deputy state superintendent.Lawmakers in both houses will decide whether or not to approve a resolution to change the system by July 1, 2009."It's kind of a chicken and egg scenario. What should we do, fix the funding formula or come up with new funding? And I agree both would be good," said Sen. Jon Erpenbach, a Democrat from Middleton.Wisconsin Heights school officials said that answer can't come soon enough."Its about a willingness to build a better mousetrap, before our existing mousetrap snaps shut on the necks of struggling school districts across the state," Black said.There was overwhelming support in the Thursday hearing for the resolution. While more than 30 people testified, there was only one person registering in opposition.If this measure would pass the committees or through the Legislature, it would only resolve to change the formula, WISC-TV reported. A new group would likely be convened to discuss the best way to accomplish that. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
