Revenue Controls Forcing More Cuts in Educational Programs
Revenue controls continue to hinder efforts to improve the quality of
education in Wisconsin, according to a new survey.
WEAC and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators’
fourth annual survey documents the cumulative impact of revenue controls.
Since revenue controls went into effect in 1993, more than one-third
of administrators report reducing class size; more than two-thirds have
delayed or reduced the purchase of computers and other technology; and
well over half have delayed building maintenance and improvement projects.
“Previous surveys have consistently shown that districts are cutting
back on programs and services in order to stay within the revenue controls,”
WEAC President Terry Craney said. “The 1997 survey shows the long-term
damage revenue controls are inflicting on our children and their education.”
Craney warned districts will be forced to make more and more serious
cuts in future years.
“At the same time the state is raising expectations for students
through academic standards and performance assessments, districts are
losing resources to meet those expectations,” Craney said. “How
much longer do the governor and Legislature plan to allow the quality
of education to slide before they eliminate the revenue controls?”
Posted October 17, 1997