Virtual Schools Must Be Accountable

Mary Bell

At a time when the state faces severe budget challenges and public schools throughout the state are being forced to cut programs and staff, it is especially important that public education funds be spent wisely to ensure that every child has a great school, WEAC President Mary Bell said Thursday (February 21, 2008).

That is why, she said, WEAC supports the state audit and enrollment caps included in the virtual charter schools bill that passed the State Senate February 19.

"Much of the information being spread related to the bill is misinformation, and as the president of WEAC I want to set the record straight," Bell said.

She said WEAC supports the compromise virtual school bill the State Senate passed on February 19 because it:

• Will allow the students currently enrolled in the state’s existing virtual charter schools to continue to attend them without having their education interrupted.
• Grants students, parents and taxpayers measures of accountability for the schools’ performance and the taxpayer dollars invested in them.

"The state has a responsibility to make sure all public schools are accountable for the standards that are set for them," Bell said. "This accountability is especially urgent in the current budgetary environment, where great schools throughout the state are eliminating essential programs and cutting staff because of revenue caps, and where state revenue projections are now more than $650 million lower than expected."

Bell noted that in the 15 years since state government began imposing revenue caps on local school budgets, schools have been forced to cut programs across the board. For example, 75% of the school districts responding to a recent survey increased class sizes because of the caps. Sixty-two percent offered fewer courses, and 79% delayed the purchase of books and other curricular materials.

Forty-three school districts are going to referendum in April because of the caps. More than one-quarter of the school districts in the state report they may close or consolidate due to funding shortages.

"Great schools benefit everyone, and it is essential for the Legislature to continue to monitor virtual charter schools, as it monitors all schools, to make sure they are meeting their obligations to the children enrolled in them and to all of us who put so much faith in public education," Bell said.

Related news releases

Let's get real about school funding [2/21/08]

Mary Bell: Virtual charter school compromise 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]

Posted February 22, 2008