Study Documents Hardships Caused by Revenue Controls

Revenue controls are destroying the quality of education in Wisconsin schools, school district superintendents and local teacher leaders said in a first-of-its-kind survey released Monday (March 5, 2001) at four news conferences.

The new study should erase any doubts about the damage state-imposed revenue controls are inflicting upon Wisconsin's public schools, said WEAC President Terry Craney, who appeared at the State Capitol with representatives of the Janesville and Madison districts. Other news conferences were held in Wausau, Green Bay and Oconomowoc.

The study is an offshoot of this year's annual survey of state superintendents by WEAC and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators. This new study examined detailed survey responses from 124 school districts and 201 local teacher association leaders. It includes "profiles" of each district, describing the specific impacts of revenue controls.

In those detailed responses, 80% of teachers and 62% of superintendents said revenue controls have had a negative effect on their districts' quality of education.

A large majority (88% of teachers and 67% of superintendents) said they believe the quality of education will decline between now and 2005.

The report details actions districts have taken to stay within the limits.

At the Madison news conference, Superintendent Art Rainwater said the district faces $1.1 million in utility cost increases, which "must be taken from the children" because of revenue controls.

He said Wisconsin has always supported the best education possible for its children, but "we're facing a crisis where that will no longer be true."

Eric Liljequist, president of Madison Teachers Inc., said high school students are losing their elective courses, classes which have helped make Madison schools successful.

"Teachers are concerned because we're beginning to see a great ship that is about to sink," he said. "I hope once and for all we can put an end to these caps."

Janesville Superintendent Tom Evert said the combination of revenue controls and the Qualified Economic Offer law, which severely restricts teacher salary increases, "are having a significant negative effect on our recruitment of teachers."

Janesville Education Association President Dierdre Golberg said the district has worked very hard to keep budget problems from impacting children. However, class sizes are increasing and "we are now in a corner."

Asked whether the state could afford to eliminate revenue controls, Craney said, "We can't afford not to."

"School districts have been forced to cut or eliminate crucial programs and services," he said. "This is completely contrary to state efforts to promote educational quality, and to the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that set a new standard for an equal educational opportunity for children.

"It is time to eliminate revenue controls. Every kid deserves a great school staffed by great teachers. Public education serves all of society."

Posted March 5, 2001