Walk on the Child's Side June 7-17 1999
Educators, parents and concerned citizens from throughout the state will
participate in a 240-mile walk in June to protest school district revenue
controls.
The “Walk on the Child’s Side” will begin June 7 at Butternut
Lake in Price County and end June 17 with a noon rally at the State Capitol.
The event is organized by the Coalition for Those Who Oppose Revenue Caps,
a group of northern Wisconsin educators involved in a multi-faceted campaign
to preserve quality education.
The coalition also held an informational rally May 1 at a Butternut Lake
boat ramp while Governor Thompson was engaged in an Opening Day fishing
event on the lake. That rally drew the media’s attention, and educators
used the opportunity to explain the devastating impact of revenue controls
on northern Wisconsin school districts.
The coalition also has distributed fliers explaining that revenue controls
are forcing school districts to delay or reduce the purchase and use of
technology, cut back on building maintenance, reduce educational opportunities
for children, and increase class sizes.
The event developed as the result of grassroots organizing against revenue
controls in northern Wisconsin. It was not organized by WEAC or as part
of the new Great
Schools Initiative. However, WEAC President Terry Craney said it is
"the type of pro-public schools activity we expect the Great Schools
Initiative to generate."
Key Points - The “Walk on the Child’s Side – Steps to School
Funding Reform” is designed to draw attention to the devastating
impact of revenue controls on school districts throughout the
state.
- Participants may join the 240-mile walk from Butternut to Madison
at any point and stay for as long as they wish.
- Participants may walk, run or bike the route. They may participate
as individuals or groups.
- A designated vehicle with phone, first aid and water will accompany
the participants. Limited transportation back to the starting
points will be available, but participants are encouraged to make
their own arrangements whenever possible.
- Getting to the event and back home, as well as meal expenses,
are the responsibility of the participants.
- Educators, parents, students accompanied by adults and concerned
citizens are encouraged to participate.
- Each participant will receive a T-shirt.
- Along the route, organizers will gather statements from participants
on the effects of revenue controls on individual school districts.
- On the final day, June 17, participants will gather at University
Square in Madison and march to the Capitol. There, they will deliver
petitions and a Statement of Effects of revenue controls on school
districts and children.
- For more information, call the Norther Tier UniServ-Central
at 1-800-367-4901.
|
Schedule |
| Each day starts at 8 a.m. with a list of districts
in attendance and
new districts entering into the record their experience with revenue
controls. |
DATE | TIME | STARTING LOCATION |
| Monday, June 7 | 8 a.m. | Butternut Lake boat landing |
| Tuesday, June 8 | 8 a.m. | Fifield Wayside, one mile south of Fifield on Hwy. 13 |
| Wednesday, June 9 | 8 a.m. | Barefoot County Park in downtown Prentice |
| Thursday, June 10 | 8 a.m. | North Central Technical College, Medford |
| Friday, June 11 | 8 a.m. | Red Arrow Park, Abbotsford |
| Saturday, June 12 | 8 a.m. | Wildwood Park and Zoo, Marshfield |
| Sunday, June 13 | 8 a.m. | Nepco Lake County Park, Wisconsin Rapids |
| Monday, June 14 | 8 a.m. | Friendship Village Park, Friendship |
| Tuesday, June 15 | 8 a.m. | Wayside 3 miles north of Wis. Dells on Hwy. 13 |
| Wednesday, June 16 | 8 a.m. | Pauquett Park, Portage |
| Thursday, June 17 | 11 a.m. | Library Mall, 700 block of State St., Madison, then proceed to Capitol
for noon rally |
| To verify dates and times, call the Northern Tier
UniServ-Central office at 1-800-367-4901. Signs are not necessary.
Everyone will receive a T-shirt. This walk is about revenue controls
only; the QEO will be addressed later. No one under 18 can participate
without a parent or guardian. Please bring your own water. |
Posted May 28, 1999