Walk on the Child's Side: Comments From Participants

Racine parents:
Jackie Fryan (left):
"School funding needs to be changed. It's affecting our children."

Marcie Balcer (center):
"We have to convince the public: Kids are going to suffer."

Sue Hammel (right):
"Our schools are falling apart."

Germantown school social worker
Nan Weymier-Killeen:
"The money has gotten tight. Everyone is looking at staff and program cuts. We finally hit the wall. Real damage is being done at this point."

Nan's son, Andrew, a West Bend student:
"I'm here to ask the Legislature for more money for schools because every kid deserves a great school."

Milwaukee parent Sonia Purnell:
"They can't get books and they can't get computers (in Milwaukee schools). ... Our kids won't be able to compete as well as other children who have those types of things."

Roxanne Starks, vice president, Milwaukee City Council of PTA: "I say to the Legislature how can we have high standards without adequate funding? And we must remember high standards cost money."

Phillips educator Tom Hommerding: "Let's send a message to the Legislature: Revenue caps have got to go!"

Racine teacher Connie Molbeck: "The Milwaukee Brewers can't play in a stadium that is 40 years old even though our kids can learn in buildings that are 125 years old."

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Posted June 30, 2000