Property tax levies increase; school costs increase; funding sources decrease

Wisconsin residents are seeing their property taxes rise when they open their bills this month, and they need to understand the many reasons for the increase, according to WEAC President Stan Johnson.

"Wisconsin taxpayers are receiving a good return on their investment in schools," he said. Wisconsin has some of the best schools in the nation, in spite of declining state and federal funding, increased costs, and more demands. School districts are providing great schools for students even though they have been forced to cut programs and services in the 10 years that state-imposed revenue controls have been in effect."

Wisconsin needs a discussion about tax fairness, according to Johnson.

"The upcoming state budget will provide a vehicle for a thorough discussion about how to fund public schools for the next few generations," Johnson said. "We hope legislators will put politics aside and make decisions that create great schools for every kid."

Voucher schools lose state funding

The state's Department of Public Instruction is withholding approximately $2 million in payments from seven voucher schools that are suspected of financial misconduct or failure to comply with state rules, according to news accounts last week.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the DPI has withheld $1.3 million from the Academic Solutions Center for Learning because of discrepancies between the school's reported enrollment and attendance reports. The school, one of the largest participants in Milwaukee's private school voucher program, reported to the state in September that it had enrolled 734 voucher-eligible students.

Resources available for Read Across America

It's not too early to start planning for Read Across America 2005. WEAC

President Stan Johnson will celebrate the annual Read Across America with staff and students at Meadowview Elementary School in Eau Claire on March 2.

The Eau Claire event will be part of the NEA's eighth annual RAA celebration where more than 45 million parents, community members, students and people of all walks of life are expected to join in nationwide festivities.

63 Wisconsin teachers achieve nation's highest certification

Wisconsin is now home to 266 teachers who have earned National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, the teaching profession's highest accreditation.

The board this week released the names of 63 Wisconsin teachers who achieved national certification this year. According to the NBPTS, Wisconsin now has 266 nationally certified teachers.

"National certification is a rigorous performance-based assessment that measures what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do," WEAC President Stan Johnson said. "Teachers voluntarily spend at least one year going through the process. They dedicate many hours of their own time to improve their skills and knowledge."