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In recent days, much media attention has been focused on the Milwaukee private school voucher program enrollment cap. Because of the experimental nature on the voucher program, state law caps enrollment in the voucher program at 15% of Milwaukee Public Schools' enrollment. WEAC opposes lifting the enrollment cap on the Milwaukee private school voucher program.
WEAC agrees with Governor Doyle, who urges a broader focus on improving all schools. When Governor Doyle vetoed bills expanding the Milwaukee voucher program last year, he clearly stated that any legislation "should be considered as part of a larger reform initiative that addresses the needs of all Milwaukee children, including the vast majority that will remain in the public schools."
Lifting the enrollment cap on the Milwaukee private school voucher program would result in a significant property tax increase for Milwaukee taxpayers. Private school vouchers are funded 45% by the Milwaukee property tax payers and 55% from state general purpose revenue. Governor Doyle pointed out that every additional 1,000 students who would attend private voucher schools due to repeal of the enrollment cap "would cost Milwaukee taxpayers an additional $2.7 million and state taxpayers another $3.3 million." According to the DPI, lifting the school voucher program cap for one year with an increase 1,500 pupils would cost nearly $9 million dollars -- $4.9 million from the state and more than $4 million in an increase to Milwaukee property tax payers.
In 2004 the Department of Public Instruction proposed an administrative rule to deal with meeting the voucher enrollment cap in a common-sense way. The proposed rule would have given priority for admission to pupils currently enrolled in the voucher program and their siblings, keeping the best interests of the children in the program the highest priority. Voucher proponents inside and outside the Capitol rejected the DPI proposal.
It is ironic that Milwaukee Public Schools have been deeply cutting staff and programs that serve the majority of Milwaukee's children -- more than 1,000 positions in the last two years -- while some legislators and voucher proponents want to increase property taxes to expand the voucher program, a program that has cost the taxpayers $300 million and provides no evidence of student performance.
WEAC believes the Milwaukee private voucher schools program should be accountable to the state's taxpayers as well as parents and the community. Accountability measures for voucher schools should be the same that are required of every other school receiving taxpayer funds.
Currently voucher schools:
Voucher schools should participate in the same state-level testing that is required of other publicly funded schools, including the requirements of the so-called No Child Left Behind federal law. In 2003 the Republican majority in the state Legislature passed a bill to order a long-term study of some of the voucher schools. However, Governor Doyle rightfully vetoed the bill because it failed to require all voucher schools to participate in the study, thus providing a biased sample, and because the study was funded by private voucher money.
The Governor's Milwaukee Education Package
WEAC members agree with the governor that every kid in Milwaukee deserves a great school. The Governor's Milwaukee Education Package is a balanced package of reforms that will create some accountability for taxpayer-supported voucher schools and includes long-overdue additional support for the successful SAGE program. WEAC is pleased that Governor Doyle does not support expanding the voucher program in the absence of equitable improvements to public education in Milwaukee. Rather, he expands opportunities to participate in the voucher program only if we at the same time invest in the 85% of Milwaukee children who attend the city's public schools.
The Governor's Milwaukee Education Package includes:
The Governor's Milwaukee Education Package has been introduced this week in the state Legislature by the Milwaukee Caucus, chaired by Rep. Christine Sinicki of Milwaukee, and is circulating for co-sponsors.
Action Alert
Now that the Governor's Milwaukee Education Package is being circulated for co-sponsorship, please take a moment to contact your legislators and urge them to co-sponsor LRB 5154, the Governor's Milwaukee Education Package. Visit the OnWEAC Cyberlobby now to e-mail your legislators and take action.
For more information:
If you have any comments or questions regarding this statement, please contact Michael Walsh, WEAC government relations specialist, at 800-362-8034 or 276-7711 or at walshm@weac.org .
Posted January 18, 2006