All across the state, a diverse array of Wisconsin voices are speaking out for public education – shedding light on the many barriers that stand in the way of our children’s success, thanks to state legislators who have allowed public school funding to fall behind the real cost of education, forcing local communities to pass referenda and make painful cuts.
“I think we can all agree that we want a strong academic foundation for all of our students. It’s frustrating that so much of our board’s time is spent on finances, when we really should be looking at academics. How are we doing? How are our students achieving? How is the life outcome for our students? …
“If schools are going to be tasked with having to take on more responsibility they need more funding to do it adequately.”
“I think that we all want students to feel happy and safe and accepted at school – and I think that teachers are really struggling right now. … I have a room of 33 different students with 33 different sets of needs and there's just not the time or the space necessary to connect with all of them. And then the bell rings and you get 33 new kids.”
"The state has a constitutional responsibility to meet all kids' needs – and right now it's failing. I'm here for the students, I'm here for the kids and when I see that students aren't being successful because of not having adequate support, it's heartbreaking to me."
We have a surplus in our state budget that is not being used for public education and instead it's relying on the taxpayers of our local communities. But there's only so much a community can do. We need the state to help us. Without that we're going to continue to see teachers leaving, support staff leaving and students having their needs not met.”
