FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2008
John Ashley, 608-257-2622

 

School boards recognize that our changing economy is demanding higher math, science and technology skills and that a postsecondary education is a prerequisite for an increasing number of jobs in Wisconsin and throughout the nation.

To keep pace in a rapidly changing world and prepare their students for jobs that don’t yet exist, school boards are seeking out business partnerships, investing in up-to-date technologies, granting international diplomas, extending foreign languages into the elementary grades, and implementing the hands-on, pre-engineering, Project Lead the Way curriculum.

However, even though the pressure exists to continually improve instruction, many school boards across the state are struggling to implement and sustain the programs they know are needed to prepare students for the global economy and future success. The combined impact of 15 years of state-imposed revenue limits and declining student enrollments in nearly three-fourths of Wisconsin schools, means that resources are becoming increasingly scarce for our public schools.

Public education governed by local school boards has been and will continue to be the foundation of our society and economy. The fiscal and academic challenges facing public education today demand tough decision-making. Each locally elected school board must balance its competing community values to establish local priorities while recognizing state and federal laws.

Wisconsin school boards strive to provide public schools that are effective and efficient. Wisconsin’s students are depending upon their communities to support and value their education – an education that will shape not only their futures, but the future of this state and nation.

Today, Wisconsin has a relatively lower proportion of college graduates in our workforce than other states. As a result, our per capita income level has fallen below the national average. This directly impacts the revenues generated in this state and the level of services provided. It is critical to the future of our state that we increase the number of highly trained and educated citizens.

The Class of 2021 started kindergarten this fall. It is imperative that we come together as communities to prepare these young people for the challenges ahead and invest appropriately in our K-12 education system.