| SEARCH OnWEAC |
|---|
March 11, 2008
For more information, contact
Christina Brey, WEAC Communications Coordinator
608-298-2519
Mary Bell: Virtual schools agreement is a sensible
compromise amid a school funding crisis
Now let’s deal with the challenge of comprehensive school funding reform.
WEAC President Mary Bell spoke in favor of the virtual charter school compromise agreement legislators announced today.
“Since the Court of Appeals ruled in December 2007 that virtual charter schools were operating in violation of Wisconsin’s education laws, WEAC has called upon the Legislature to pass legislation that considers the needs of all of Wisconsin’s public school students, including the students currently enrolled in virtual charter schools and the 876,000 students enrolled in traditional public schools,” Bell said. “This compromise agreement does that.”
Bell warned that with so many school districts struggling under the state’s local school revenue caps law, even relatively small impacts can have devastating effects. Since little is known about the fiscal impact virtual schools could have on the rest of the state’s public schools, she said, it only makes sense to manage the growth of the program until the state has a chance to meaningfully assess it through an audit.
With the virtual school bill settled, and the legislative session about to end, Bell called upon the state’s legislators to devote themselves to comprehensive school funding reform as soon as they return to the Capitol next year.
“Let’s make school funding reform the first issue we take up in the next legislative session,” Bell said. “Throughout the state, more than 40 school districts are going to referendum in April to attempt to override the caps that are driving them toward bankruptcy. More than one-quarter of Wisconsin’s school districts have reported they may be forced to close or consolidate because of revenue caps. All members of the Legislature must put school funding reform at the top of their agendas if we are to find our way out of the school funding crisis.”
(END)
More information about virtual charter schools is available on WEAC's website:
"Looking before we leap" [2/29/08]
“Before it's too late” [2/25/08]
“Virtual schools must be accountable, Bell says” [2/22/08]
“Let’s get real about school funding” [2/21/08]
“Virtual charter bill is responsible and fair” [2/19/08]
“WEAC awaits details and data on proposed virtual charter school legislation” [1/25/08]
“WEAC calls for fiscal, academic accountability in virtual charter school legislation” [1/24/08]
“WEAC seeks balanced legislation that makes virtual schools accountable to all stakeholders” [1/17/08]
“WEAC applauds appeals court ruling on Wisconsin Virtual Academy” [12/5/07]
