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Survey shows public agrees with WEAC on need for school funding reform

The importance of
Great Public Schools
 

Changing Public School
Funding in Wisconsin
 

 Developing a more effective school funding system to ensure that every child receives a quality education is one of WEAC’s top priorities for 2008-10, and we’re moving forward to make it a reality.

As a starting point, WEAC contracted with the highly respected research firm of Belden, Russonello and Stewart to implement surveys and focus groups to help gauge the attitudes of Wisconsin voters and help develop a strategy for communicating on this issue.

Among the key findings:

  • Nearly seven of 10 voters (69%) think changes are needed in school funding.
  • Voters believe change must aim for quality education for all and include stronger financial accountability and better financial management.
  • 65% somewhat or strongly believe that now is the time to invest in the
    future by improving our public schools.
  • Voters believe school funding priorities are: supporting quality teaching, improving basic student skills, and maintaining a rich level of courses.
  • Voters also see funding reform as a way to avoid two unwanted developments:
    reductions in class offerings in art, music and business, and the potential loss of high-quality teachers because salaries are falling behind.
  • When voters consider the cost of change, majorities strongly favor eliminating corporate tax loopholes.

The researchers found that a broad-based coalition of organizations would be most effective in making the case for improved school funding. WEAC is part of such a coalition.

“Public opinion is very much in tune with our beliefs,” WEAC President Mary Bell said in reaction to the survey and focus group results. “Wisconsin has a tradition of investing in great public schools as a means to building strong and healthy communities. We believe Wisconsin will be most successful when all children have the opportunity to receive an excellent education.

“To keep this tradition strong, we need a better school funding system – one that is accountable to the people who pay for it and depend on it.

“Strengthening our system will lead to more reliable school budgets and is necessary now to keep from losing the great schools we have all built,” she said. “Now is the time to make this investment in public schools for our children and for the future we all share.”

Without reform, Bell noted, Wisconsin schools face the continued elimination of programs to improve students’ basic reading and math skills and continued reduction in class offerings, especially in art, music, foreign languages and vocational education.

“Also, without reform,” she said, “more schools will close and we will lose quality teachers.”

Bell said WEAC leaders have engaged in extensive conversations with members throughout the state and are working to develop consensus around a school funding plan. That input and this research will serve as the foundation for building a message and a plan. A broad-based WEAC work team is reviewing all the data and developing details.

Contact your UniServ office or go to weac.org/schoolfunding to keep up to date on the latest on school funding reform in Wisconsin.

Posted October 15, 2008