Wisconsin's state superintendent has hope for the future of education. Speaking in the Capitol Rotunda, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster issues a call to action to all experienced master educators in Wisconsin, and offers a chunk of money in return. “Teach in our high-needs schools, especially in Milwaukee and our small rural communities, and we will pay you an additional $5,000 for nine years for meeting the challenge and shepherding our most precious resource, our children.”
In her State of Education address, Burmaster says it's important for our state's competitiveness that we educate the children. Burmaster says it really does matter where you live in our state as far as the educational opportunities of your child is concerned. “Increased costs, increased poverty, and, most of all, revenue caps are limiting our ability to offer all children the same educational opportunities across the state.”
The Superintendent wants to spend 26-million dollars for small, rural districts, as they deal with rising costs and declining enrollment. Burmaster wants to repeal the QEO, and she proposes in her budget that we continue to support and expand the programs that she says are working in our state. “The SAGE program, special education categorical aid, bilingual-bicultural aid, school nutrition programs — including school breakfast, public libraries, and 4-year-old kindergarten.”
The $13-billion budget request calls for an increase in overall school aids of 3.3% in the first year and 3.2% in the second year of the 2007-09 budget. The proposal must first be approved by lawmakers and the governor in the next state budget.
Related web sites:
Summary of DPI's 2007-09 Biennial Budget Request
