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Response to Proposed Statewide Voucher Expansion
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | May 31, 2013
I’m sure that all of you have heard reports of a compromise agreement on voucher expansion, school funding, special needs vouchers, charter school expansion and other issues. The SAA had been waiting for a more definitive statement or news advisory from the Governor and legislative leaders that was anticipated for yesterday afternoon — a statement that did not come. Apparently, the definitive statement will not come until perhaps Monday, as details of the plan are still being ironed out. However, the agreed-upon highlights of the proposal are reported in this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article.
The SAA is extremely disappointed to learn that this agreement will reportedly expand private school vouchers statewide. Please see the SAA’s news release in response.
State Superintendent Evers has called on all supporters of public education to contact their legislators in opposition to statewide voucher expansion. The SAA joins the State Superintendent in his efforts and calls on all SAA members to contact their legislators in opposition to statewide voucher expansion.
The SAA is pleased that the proposal reportedly removes the special needs voucher provision as well as all charter school provisions from the budget bill. We are also pleased that the proposal guarantees public schools a $150 revenue cap per pupil increase in each year of the biennium, even though we believe the fiscal challenges facing school districts as well as the state’s improving revenue situation warrants a larger per pupil increase for schools.
The SAA is very grateful to all the elected officials that have stood tall in support of Wisconsin public school children during this budget session. We look forward to working with them in the future as we continue to fight against voucher expansion.
The SAA will monitor developments on these and other issues as the Joint Finance Committee prepares to take up the remaining budget issues, including K-12, on Tuesday. We will keep the membership apprised of new developments as we receive definitive information.
Thank you for your attention. And thank you for all your efforts on behalf of Wisconsin school children.
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