Although the Madison School Board so far has held its ground on a host of unpopular decisions, it may be approaching a tipping point, at least on the issue of school consolidation.
The School Board’s meeting was a multi-ring circus Monday night as a capacity crowd presented a collective howl of anguish about many budget cuts and about the controversial decision to name the community’s newest elementary school for a Hmong military leader revered by his adherents.
It will be up to board members in coming days to decide whether to revisit any of the decisions they have made in recent weeks that are stirring passionate, and often angry, public commentary on topics ranging from the elimination of yellow school buses for parochial school students to a school closing on the near east side to the new school’s name.
Arlene Silveira, elected unanimously Monday night as the board’s new president, said she would return items to the agenda for possible reconsideration if four board members requested them. A supermajority, or five votes, would be necessary to reverse any budget-related decisions. So far, it appears that several board members are willing to revisit the budget item to consolidate Marquette and Lapham elementary schools.
2 thoughts on “Critics pack meeting on unpopular school decisions”
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I’m really disturbed that it appears some people only stand up and take note when these education issues have a direct personal impact. My question is this: where have you been?????? How are things going to get any better when there are all of these divided self-interests? I’m pessimistic that this divide can be overcome.
I mean, really, how many of these “critics” who showed up at the board meeting even bothered to vote in April? The turnout at the polls was embarrassing.
Maybe this is just the start of something bigger, I don’t know.
It’s interesting how the Lapham-Marquette decision, new school name controversy and private school busing funding removal have taken over public budget discussion to such a large extent. Other things seems to be cast by the wayside, such as issues about SAGE funding and related items.
For example, part of the budget discussions involved SAGE monies and class sizes. One of the items was C-4, which would remove the specific cap from the Lincoln’s 3/4 classrooms, which is currently 20:1.
Lincoln receives SAGE grant dollars, as stated on the MMSD web page for the school. It also states the funding “ensures that average class size is no greater than 15:1 in K-2, and 20:1 in grades 3-5”.
Carol Cartensen requested the statistics for Lincoln, Glendale, Mendota and Lindbergh as part of the budget question exercise.
http://www.mmsd.org/budget/mmsd/0708/questions/C-4.pdf
If you look at the statistics, you will see that there are many classrooms over 20 within the group, and some even over 25. Lincoln’s current ratios do not average 20.
What does this situation mean in terms of the SAGE grant guidelines? Is the district in violation of rules related to the grant? What happens under those conditions? If Lincoln is currently over 20:1, will approval of this budget item mean their SAGE grant will go away, too, while other schools will keep their grants, like Shorewood.
Any additional information appreciated. Thank you.