Rozworld’s WebLog

The following article appeared in the WSJ recently about our school district trying to find money to pay for a $10 million dollar short fall next year. It is so unfortunate that congress can come up with a multi-billion dollar package for the war in Iraq but can not do the same for our children’s education needs here at home. Education is so fundamental that it could take the inspiration of a few bright individuals to make the lives better for millions of people. Why don’t we focus on what’s important?

Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: B1 Tuesday, December 20, 2005

The preliminary options favored by the East task force are moving Madison School and Community Recreation staff and the district’s alternative programs to elementary schools that are under capacity. But saying that putting middle- and high-school alternative programs in an elementary school is “ill-conceived,” parent Tim Olsen called on administrators to “lead from the front” instead by selling the Doyle Administration Building. Olsen said that selling the property adjacent to the Kohl Center could bring nearly $7 million to the district, which anticipates eliminating up to $10 million from its current budget next year to comply with state revenue limits. Superintendent Art Rainwater said selling Doyle, a city historic site, would be difficult because changes to its exterior require city approval. But School Board member Ruth Robarts called for a committee to explore selling or leasing the building. Board member Bill Keys, who chairs the Long Range Planning Committee, said selling Doyle would benefit the district financially for only one year. The East task force is still determining which elementary school it will recommend as a location for the alternative programs now housed in a rented facility on Brearly Street. But School Board members Juan Jose Lopez and Johnny Winston Jr. expressed concerns about putting alternative programs in an elementary school. If community members do not support the pairing, Winston said, other options will have to be considered, including closing schools. Parent Linda Galang, an East task force member representing Emerson Elementary School, said it was “disheartening” to hear a board member still talk about closing schools, which task force members voted against recommending.

Rosalind, her teacher, and her class were on TV Channel 3 on Tuesday December 13th, when the state Superintendent came to visit the school. The link to the video can be found here : http://www.channel3000.com/video/5533082/detail.html