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|2009-11 State Budget Information | 2009-10 Legislative Issues Position Papers |
| 2010-11 State Budget | 2010 Elections |
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The WASB 2010 Legislative Advocacy Packet in available online. Download here.Â
The Public Policy Forum released its annual analysis of school performance statewide and by district in southeastern Wisconsin.
The Department of Public Instruction made available the ACT scores for the class of 2010, broken down by Wisconsin district and high school, on its WINSS Web site. Posted Sept. 6, 2010
REPORT RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT WISCONSIN'S SUPPORT FOR EDUCATION
Per pupil spending on K-12 education has remained fairly flat in Wisconsin over the past seven years, increasing the student-teacher ratio and dropping the state's national ranking in support for public schools, according to a new report. The study by the Wisconsin Budget Project, an arm of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, raises concerns about how the state's falling position in spending on education will affect its students. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Posted Sept. 6, 2010
WISCONSINITES PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO EDUCATION ISSUES
Recent surveys commissioned by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute as part of its Refocus Wisconsin project find Wisconsin citizens pay close attention and have strong opinions when it comes to education and are much more likely to stake out clear positions on various education policies than the American public as a whole. Wisconsin residents report higher levels of support for a variety of reforms—in particular vouchers, charter schools, online education, and merit pay—than the nation as a whole. At the same time, opposition to these reforms was a high, or higher, than the nation as a whole. Posted Sept. 6, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL—AND TO BARGAINING
Citing figures from the WASB, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that bargaining for the 2009-11 teaching contracts has been slower than previous contract cycles and fewer than half of the state's 424 school districts have settled contracts with their teachers for the 2010-11 school year, even though prior contracts expired over a year ago. Posted Sept. 6, 2010
IDEAS SOUGHT TO IMPROVE ABILITY TO SHARE SERVICES
The Legislative Council Study Committee on Local Service Consolidation held its first meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 30. The committee includes legislators and public members, and is seeking ideas for ways the state can improve the ability of local governments to consolidate or share services. Tina Cruse, president of the Shullsburg School Board, is the sole school-district representative on the committee. If you have any ideas or suggestions for the committee, please share them with the WASB government relations
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. Â Posted Sept. 6, 2010
WEA TRUST TO BROADEN ITS COVERAGE
The WEA Trust, one of the state's largest health insurers, is positioning itself for the day when it may no longer dominate the health insurance market for teachers. For the first time, the nonprofit company will be one of the health insurance options available to state employees and retirees in 24 counties in eastern Wisconsin. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  In previous years, the WASB has estimated that school districts could save up to $140 million per year by moving their staff to the state health insurance plan. Posted Sept. 6, 2010
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Special Committee on Review of the Managed Forest Land Program
Thurs., Sept. 9, 9:30 am • 412 East, State Capitol
The committee will take testimony from invited speakers and review the scope and statutory purpose of the managed forest land program and public access on managed forest land.
Watch the mail for the WASB 2010 Resolutions Adopted by Delegate Assemblies book. Read more ...
BROADBAND FUNDING UPDATE
The state of Wisconsin contracts with the Wisconsin BadgerNet Access Alliance, which includes AT&T and more than 70 other local telecommunication carriers, to manage the state's BadgerNet telecommunications network. Read more ...
EVERS UNVEILS SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM FRAMEWORK
As a series of June 24 appearances, State Superintendent Tony Evers laid out a "Fair Funding for Our Future" framework for school finance reform that he says is founded on making the state's school funding system fair, sustainable, transparent, and accountable for results. Read more ...
SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM PACKAGE
Rep. Brett Davis (R-Oregon) is moving forward on introducing a school funding reform package. That legislation is now available. Read more ...
A PENNY FOR KIDS
The Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools initiated a Penny for Kids campaign in November. The campaign calls for a one-cent increase in the state sales tax with revenues dedicated to funding Wisconsin public schools.A one-cent increase in the sales tax is estimated to generate $856 million annually. Visit the A Penny for Kids Web site for more information.
SCHOOL FINANCE NETWORK
The School Finance Network is a coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to children, and to finding a better way to fund each ane every one of Wisconsin's public schools. Read more ...
A package of changes to the state’s collective bargaining laws has been put together by local government associations, including the WASB. Read more ...
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