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Pulling ‘Nails” – UW landmark being removed

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A widely reviled landmark on the University of Wisconsin campus is going away. “Nails’ Tales,” a pile of footballs in roughly the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, has graced the south plaza near Camp Randall Stadium and the UW Fieldhouse for 14 years.

And for all those years, Badger fans have been more or less unanimous – they don’t like “Nails’ Tales.” Contractors began prepping the site on Monday, and according to a UW press release, the sculpture will be removed Wednesday and stored off-campus.

Even the foundation should be gone by the time the Badgers’ host Central Michigan for their home opener, September 7th. The removal is part of a larger plan to reconfigure the area.

UW reinstates Quintez Cephus

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Quintez Cephus WRN photo

Badger football player Quintez Cepuhs is again a student at UW Madison. The university announced Monday that Cephus has been reinstated, effective immediately. Cephus was acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this month in Dane County Circuit Court.

A press release from the UW quotes Chancellor Rebecca Blank, who said her “decision is based on the availability of substantial new information” not brought out during an earlier review. Blank said she recognizes some people will disagree with the decision.

UW-MADISON STATEMENT ON QUINTEZ CEPHUS

UW-Madison has a responsibility to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct in a prompt and thorough manner, as directed by state and federal laws. The university applies its code of conduct impartially and consistently regardless of the identities of the individuals involved.

In the case of Quintez Cephus, this process functioned appropriately and in accordance with state and federal guidelines and proceeded based on the information available to UW-Madison at the time of the university’s investigation and hearing process.

UW-Madison obtained information following the criminal proceeding that was not provided to the university during the student conduct process. Chancellor Rebecca Blank conducted a review of this information and the petition for Quintez Cephus’ reinstatement as quickly as possible and in a complete and impartial manner.

As a result of this review, sanctions for Quintez Cephus have been reduced and his expulsion lifted. There were findings of responsibility of the student non-academic misconduct code that were upheld.

Mr. Cephus has been reinstated as a UW-Madison student, effective immediately.

“All three of the primary participants in this case are our students, and I know the past year has been painful for everyone involved,” said Blank. “My decision is based on the availability of substantial new information that wasn’t made available to us during the earlier process. I recognize that some will disagree with this decision.”

“To those in our community who have experienced sexual assault, I sincerely hope that there is nothing in this case that will deter you from coming forward for support,” she added. “Our university continues to be prepared to listen and respond.”

Monday’s announcement came one week after a press conference by Cephus’ trial attorneys, during which they pressured the UW to reach a  timely decision on his request for reinstatement.

Keep a close eye on your money for back-to-school shopping

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It’s back to school season, and that means shopping to get your student ready for the year. But be sure you’re getting exactly what you need.

State consumer protection administrator Michelle Reinen says it’s important to always check out exactly what you’re getting in a deal, especially on things like electronics.

“Reading the fine print or the details, if you will, to understand what it is you would be purchasing to see if you need all the bells and whistles that one product might include.”

You also want to be careful with buying the full list of school supplies from a school. You might have a number of those items left over from last year, or even from another child in your home.

“So being sure it doesn’t already exist in your household, or maybe some other family member has it from an older cousin or something.”

Reinen says many parents will turn to outlet stores to help buy clothes during school sales, but you need to keep a close eye on just what you’re getting. 

“You might think you’re getting a great deal on a jacket, but if you look at the outlet version of that jacket it may not have a full lining in it. It might only be in the body area, not in the arms.”

You can find more tips on back to school shopping online at http://datcp.wi.gov.

Mary Burke steps down from Madison school board

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Mary Burke PHOTO: WRN

A former Democratic candidate for Wisconsin governor announces she’s leaving public life. Mary Burke has been a member of the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education for seven years. In a press release issued by the school district on Friday, Burke said personal and professional commitments do not allow her the time and energy needed to fulfill her term.

“I am proud of the progress we’ve made, and acknowledge the work still to be done.”

Burke is 60 years old, and did not say what she will do next. Burke lost to Scott Walker in the 2014 governor’s election. She used to be an executive at Trek Bicycle, her family’s company.

The School Board will discuss filling the vacant seat when it meets Monday night.

 

Key Evers veto increases per-pupil schools funding

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Wisconsin school districts could see more money, thanks to a veto by Governor Tony Evers. One of Evers’ 78 separate vetoes increases per-pupil aid by $87 million more dollars than the Republican-controlled Legislature approved. Evers on Wednesday called that “easily the most important veto that we had.”

It’s one that state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald said was “a legitimate veto.”

“If there’s enough people upset by that, than obviously you could consider a veto override,” Fitzgerald said. “Hard for me to make that call today, whether or not a lot of legislators would fall into that category.”

Fitzgerald was unhappy, that the Wisconsin Association of School Boards publicly lobbied Evers on using his veto to increase that funding.
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Evers signs state budget, increases education funding through line item vetoes

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Governor Tony Evers has issued a partial veto of the state budget. At Wednesday’s signing, Evers said he’s excited to be able to return some of the things he promised to bring to Wisconsin residents when he was elected, including more school funding.

“And through the veto promise, I am adding nearly 100 million dollars more in per pupil aid for our schools compared to the budget that was passed by the legislature.”

Evers’ version of the budget restores funding for state youth prisons, allows the state prosecutor’s office to decide where new staff positions will be filled across the state, and cuts back on work requirements for food and health assistance programs.

Evers said his veto power couldn’t bring one of his biggest promises to fruition: the expansion of federal Medicaid funding for the state. “That’s why I’ll continue to fight for Medicaid expansion through separate legislation, future budget bills, and otherwise through every executive power I am afforded.

“Vetoing this budget in its entirety would have been more of the same divisiveness and petty political theatrics that the people of Wisconsin have had to put up with for far too long.”

Legislative Republicans say the relatively low number of vetoes shows that this was a good budget with lots of potential.

Sen. Majority Leader Fitzgerald opposes outside involvement in suggested line item veto

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State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald is voicing his displeasure about comments from the state association of school boards in regards to the state budget.

The group laid out a method on Monday for Governor Evers to use the line item veto to increase school funding by 17 million dollars. Fitzgerald says the group is encouraging the governor to skirt legislative intent by offering up that suggestion.

Evers has until Friday to sign the budget, apply the line item veto, or veto it in its entirety. 

State Supreme Court rules governor has oversight of school policy

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Oversight of some school policies shifts from the state schools superintendent to the governor, following a ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Court’s conservative majority sided with the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty in its 2017 lawsuit against then state schools superintendent Tony Evers.

Evers claimed he did not need to get executive approval from then Governor Scott Walker, for rules Evers wrote for the Department of Public Instruction. WILL’s suit cited a state law passed that same year, which requires state agencies to get approval from the governor’s office and state Department of Administration, which is controlled by the governor.

State sends out $1.9 billion to schools for high cost programs

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The Department of Public Instruction is delivering $1.9 billion in funding and grants to school districts this month.

That funding helps offset the costs of a number of important programs. Assistant state superintendent Bob Soldner says one part of that funding is going to schools who have special issues with transportation.

“Very rural, very widespread districts with few numbers of kids on a per square mile basis.”

Another major program that’s getting special funding is a push for more mental health services in school districts. Policy and budget director Erin Fath says that schools are often the first line of contact for many students with mental health needs. 

“Provide resources to support school districts as they try to get kids screened or assessed to help identify kids in need of mental health services and also get them connected. Lack of access can be a huge barrier to some families. That could be a result of living in a more rural area that just doesn’t have as many providers.”

Special education funding and grants for school technology programs are also part of the package.

Wisconsin secures settlement funds for victims of ITT Tech loan fraud scheme

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Nearly 650 former students of ITT tech will be getting reimbursement of their student loans thanks to a settlement.

Attorney General Josh Kaul says ITT and a loan company conspired to defraud both students and the federal student aid program before it was shut down in 2016.

“They were misled, there were deceptive practices. And they shouldn’t have to pay the debts that they owe since they didn’t get the education that they should have. So this settlement helps bring the kind of relief to those students that they deserve.”

He says students who are just looking for a better future for themselves shouldn’t have to worry about being fleeced.

“They should have the confidence that the representations being made to them are accurate and that they can conduct business without being worried that they’re being deceived by the company they’re working with.”

Wisconsin will be getting $5.8 million in relief for students. Any student who needs help getting those funds should contact the Department of Justice.