Voucher Expansion Could Devastate Waukesha Schools, Superintendent Says
Gov. Scott Walker's plan to expand school vouchers in Wisconsin needs more work, according to Waukesha Superintendent Todd Gray.
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Gov. Scott Walker’s proposal to extend the school voucher program to the Waukesha School District could seriously harm the district’s finances, Superintendent Todd Gray told Waukesha Patch.
Gray said he has reached out to Walker and several state senators about his concerns with the current proposal. Democrats oppose the plan — as do many Republican senators — to allow low-income students in nine additional school districts to receive vouchers to attend private schools, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The school voucher program already exists in Milwaukee and Racine.
“The proposal needs a lot of work,” Gray said. “Financially, for us, it could be very devastating, depending on how it works out. I think the vouchers should be limited to schools that are failing — we don’t have any failing schools — failing multiple years. I think if you have one bad year, you shouldn’t be subject to this.”
Students taking advantage of the program could shift revenues as much as $17,000 per student per year, Gray said, because the school district would not be allowed to count the student in enrollment counts for revenues but would still have to fund the vouchers.
While Gray thinks the voucher expansion will go through in some form, he hopes it doesn’t create too much damage to the Waukesha School District.
“Hopefully, if it is done, it is done so it doesn’t really take apart public schools,” Gray said. “We have a lot of good things going here. We worked very hard to build up some great programs, and I would just hate to see us lose a lot of those programs and have those programs minimized because of a big loss of revenues that we have.”
The choice program will be open to school districts with at least two underperforming schools who meet these criteria:
- receive school report card grades of "fails to meet expectations" or "meets few expectations"
- has at least 4,000 students
- has at least 20 students intending to participate in the program
This expansion will be capped at 500 students statewide for 2014 and 1,000 for 2015. Eligibility requirements for students would be similar to current choice program eligibility requirements.
Last year four Waukesha schools received low grades and were categorized as "meets few expectations." The scorecards system, which is in its infancy, needs work, Gray said. Additionally, other rules should be considered when looking at the voucher expansion.
“Voucher schools really need to have the same accountability system that we have,” Gray said. “I will compete with anyone. If it is all the same, if it is a level playing field, I am not worried about competing with voucher schools. But right now the governor’s proposal is not a level playing field.”
Walker is looking at a compromise by possibly requiring the private schools that receive state funding be subjected to the same evaluation system as the public schools, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The change is supported by State Sen. Paul Farrow, R-Pewaukee, who represents Waukesha.
“We do not want our school children jumping from failing school to failing school,” Farrow said in a statement. "I commend Governor Walker for publicly endorsing the use of report cards for voucher schools. I hope that with his help and input we can create a Choice Program that is accountable to taxpayers and leads to our most at-risk students getting the education they both need and deserve."
Realist
8:59 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
It's bad enough we have to pay for everyone else's kids already, and now they get a choice of private schools!!! Are they going to pick them up in limos and feed them free breakfast on the way to school? What a outrage to the working class.
Yolanda Medina
9:35 am on Monday, March 11, 2013
If you look at the article a little closer, it simply says "Students taking advantage of the program could shift revenues as much as $17,000", which means that no additional funding will be required. If a school does not meet educational expectations, what then should a parent do? Options are a great way to create quality competion.
Joseph
7:31 am on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Just like Act 10 was going to destroy the schools?
Mr Lundt
1:35 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
The Sky is falling!!!
The Sky is falling!!!
The Sky is falling!!!
Everytime the unions are questioned.
Bowgo
4:20 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013
Don't give them any more ideas Realist! It's like a neighbor once said "if you don't know how to work the system, it ain't my problem"...
Jenna
2:40 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Ignorance is bliss. The vouchers are to be used in districts that have FAILING schools. FAILING. Since when is Elmbrook failing? To the poster that responded with the uneducated and utterly ignorant union dig, the unions have nothing to do with this. This is about Scott Walkers contributors who are pro-voucher- the Walton Family, Koch Industries, the DeVos family, and our own Bradley foundation. This is a political move, not an educated, balanced decision. Even Republicans are breaking with Scott Walker on this. It is shameful that Scott Walker chose to have Wauwatosa PUBLIC schools educate his children and now that his last son will graduate in June 2013, he can fulfill his promise to defund public education. How anyone can stand behind Walker for this initiative is beyond me. I tend to be an educated, informed constituent who has a college degree and coursework in logical thinking.
Jenna
2:45 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Mr. Lundt- What is your rationalization for your response? Act 10 is in place- how are unions relevant? This is the type of response that concerns me. Like Paul Krugman correcting Ron Johnson on national TV, your comments are in fact, NOT factual. Living in a state if delusion via extreme ideology, no matter how illogical, is one of the greatest threats to our unraveling democracy.
Jenna
2:54 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Joseph, no Act 10 did not destroy our schools yet. But it did however, destroy our local economy by taking $400 monthly out if public workers pockets. That $400 is no longer being spent in local businesses. Is that the result you were looking for? And could that be the reason that according to Forbes magazine (not a lib rag), that WI, under Walker, is now in the top 10 states people are moving away from, in addition to the 2nd worst state to do business in? Is that why, under Walker, he has eradicated our job growth to #42 in the nation? So while Obama's policies are ACTUALLY moving us forward, meaning the lowest unemployment at 7.7% since 2009, and while Walker talks up his "reforms", the only thing he had managed to do is take WI to the bottom of the pack. Not much ROI in my opinion. Certainly, no one is moving forward with WALKER.
Jenna
3:09 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Yolanda- reconsider your stance and please do a little due diligence. K12, one if the biggest virtual school programs in the nation just settled a lawsuit...guess what? It appears academic performance was an issue...but the money just keeps rolling in. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/academic-performance-and-educational-quality-claims-in-securities-class-action-against-k12-inc-to-be-voluntarily-dismissed-2013-03-04
This whole notion of charter school excellence is a myth- created to defund public education and reward private companies for little ROI for our kids. Being a charter school supporter is NOT being a friend of the taxpayers and does NOT imply that you care too much about the kids. It actually implies that you haven't reviewed academic scores, determined how your tax dollars are really being used, and how much the top is making in comparison to the public sector. Talk about a way to root out fraud, abuse and lower taxpayer burden? Start by controlling use of revenues in local schools by government. Look around, every privatized entity costs more than a public entity...and as a taxpayer you are still on the hook. Where are your critical thinking skills?
Yolanda Medina
3:16 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Wow, Jenna! Decaff....I made no derrogatory comment at anyone, that I am aware of. Please do not be so condescending as to believe I have no critical thinking skills. I simply excercised my right to free speech. Perhaps you should take a lesson from the Dem's montra of "We won, live with it..." And we did win, not once but TWICE....
Jenna
3:20 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Yolanda, you didn't win at all. As an economist clearly proves:
http://www.econbrowser.com/archives/2012/05/governor_walker.html
Let us operate in facts, not fiction Yolanda. Perhaps that is why we lag the nation in job growth, and economic recovery. Facts don't lie, but Mr Walker does.
Jenna
3:22 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Yolanda, one last thing...it is comical that a tea party retort is always ...hahaha we won 2 times!!! Woohoo!! Really?? How's that workin for WI?
Fact: not well.
Jenna
3:25 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
I just prefer free speech that is based in fact and not regurgitated Fox News propaganda. But, I will move forward with facts and you may maintain your stance. In the end we will see just how many benchmarks where Walker egregiously shot, missed, and cost us taxpayers dearly.
Jenna
3:36 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Yolanda, I am not condescending. That sounds like whining. No, rather I am challenging you based on what is true and challenging you to set the bar a little higher by understanding facts. When you argue points, prepare to be challenged. Prepare to be called out and respond accordingly. That is what freedom of speech is all about. The ability to have thoughtful debate and encourage people to set higher standards than repeating talking points from Charlie Sykes. I am not sure what your educational background is nor your vocation, but I do hope you fully understand facts before you vote, and or support political adjendas. One must weigh all sides before commenting. So, I challenge you Yolanda to try just a little harder with your DD.
Yolanda Medina
3:45 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Jenna, you need to remember that not all people fit into categories 100%. I do not, nor have I ever given 2 minutes of my day to Sykes, Behling or any of their lot. In fact, I do believe their group would consider me as too socially liberal - since I espouse Christian values which promote people over politics. If you need me to qualify myself as intelligent enough to speak on this topic, here it is. I am an American-born Hispanic of Mexican descent. I am a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps (Google my name and you will see I am involved in several Veterans groups). I am college educated - I work in Higher Ed. as well. I am married to a minister and raised 6 children in both the public and private school environments. No voucher system was in place at that time and I PREFER the private sector. I will leave you with this: James 1:19-20, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
Yolanda Medina
4:20 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Jenna, as a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I hold the values of this country close to my heart - inlcuding, and above all, free speech. I am fully prepared to be "challenged" at any time. Both my husband and I served so that everyone has a voice - even those voices that are not well thought out or of the same opinion as mine. I have not called you out on your "facts" for just that reason. What I will ask you to do is accept anyone's voice without questioning their educational background or place of employment. People fought and died for that right. I believe civil rights legislation has given that to us. Please stay within the realm of facts and data and keep emotion out of it - I guarantee you that it will get you in trouble one day. I understand you must be very passionate in your causes, just take care - with all due respect.
Jenna
5:58 pm on Monday, March 11, 2013
Yolanda- You indeed appear accomplished, your your service to our nation is honorable. Likewise, your husband's dedication to ministry is also honorable. Facts are indisputable. I have read too many comments on these forums that are factually inaccurate. They are party line commentaries that are spun from Republican ideologues who do not put people over politics. I am passionate- I work in the private sector, but I also have worked in the nonprofit arena as an advocate for the less fortunate. My heart lies with the many who suffer at the hands if the few. And while I am prosperous, and my children still have their wonderful public school, I am gravely concerned about the lack if leadership in Walker's administration and our legislature. The only one who judges me is myself and God Yolanda. So, I will challenge away. The day WI decided to put Walker in power, turn neighbor against neighbor and pin it on teachers was the day I lost faith in my communities ability to think logically. I do believe this wrong will be righted, in time, and by those who truly care about the whole, not the few.