QEO & Revenue Controls 'Must be Eliminated' to Maintain Great Schools

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster (left) delivers her State of the State of Education address to a crowd that filled the Capitol rotunda.

In a State of the State of Education address that was interrupted repeatedly by applause, State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster received perhaps the loudest ovation Thursday (July 18, 2002) when she said it was time to repeal the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO) law and school district revenue caps.

"Both must be eliminated," she told a large crowd in the Capitol rotunda. "Our local boards of education and local taxpayers must be given back their ability to make sound decisions to improve learning and to bargain collectively with their employees.

"Only when we eliminate these huge obstacles can we return to the basics: local people running local schools."

Burmaster focused her call to action on what she refers to as the New Wisconsin Promise, including efforts to lift the level of achievement for all students and close the achievement gap by improving reading in the early grades, increasing parent involvement in the schools, and ensuring quality educators in every classroom and school building.

WEAC President Stan Johnson said Burmaster’s plans for public education will ensure that Wisconsin continues to have some of the best schools in the nation

“Superintendent Burmaster’s State of Education address today hit a home run,” Johnson said. “The New Wisconsin Promise is the blueprint that will ensure that every child in every community attends a great school.”

Johnson applauded Burmaster’s calls for improving reading, reducing class sizes, increasing parental involvement and eliminating state-imposed revenue controls and the Qualified Economic Offer law.

Johnson said Burmaster’s continued support of new teacher licensure and preparation rules is critical to keeping great teachers and staff in every classroom in Wisconsin.

“We know what works to improve school performance,” Johnson said. “Superintendent Burmaster’s plans will keep Wisconsin on track for generations to come, and everyone will benefit from our great schools.”

Among the WEAC representatives attending the State of Education address by State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster were (left to right) WEAC Vice President Terry Meyer,Capital Area UniServ-North President Carol Albright Gobeli, and WEAC Executive Director Michael A. Butera.

Posted July 18, 2002