Key Findings from the Interim Report
– Deficiencies and Observations: Nearly 175 deficiencies were identified across various sections of the report, indicating systemic issues.
– Financial Mismanagement:
– Disbursements: $1,145,909.97 flagged as waste or abuse, with about $1,112,750 linked to contract-related spending.
– Issues included inadequate oversight, unsupported or duplicative billings, and activity outside procurement controls.
– Payroll Issues: Approximately $33,159.97 in payroll-related transactions, including unsupported vacation payouts, were also noted.
– Policy Violations: An additional $1,729,522.81 in transactions violated district policies but did not reach the level of waste or abuse. These included improperly documented areas such as P-cards and travel reimbursements.
– Internal Control Failures:
– Significant failures in record-keeping, such as the inability to provide employment verification records for 100 out of 250 sampled employees.
– Poorly maintained employee records and fragmented information systems have hindered audit processes.
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1998! Money and school performance.
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
8,897 (!) Madison 4k to 3rd grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group during the 2024-2025 school year.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $26,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
Madison Schools: More $, No Accountability
The taxpayer funded Madison School District long used Reading Recovery…
The data clearly indicate that being able to read is not a requirement for graduation at (Madison) East, especially if you are black or Hispanic”
My Question to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on Teacher Mulligans and our Disastrous Reading Results
2017: West High Reading Interventionist Teacher’s Remarks to the School Board on Madison’s Disastrous Reading Results
Madison’s taxpayer supported K-12 school district, despite spending far more than most, has long tolerated disastrous reading results.
“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
WEAC: $1.57 million for Four Wisconsin Senators
Friday Afternoon Veto: Governor Evers Rejects AB446/SB454; an effort to address our long term, disastrous reading results
Booked, but can’t read (Madison): functional literacy, National citizenship and the new face of Dred Scott in the age of mass incarceration.
When A Stands for Average: Students at the UW-Madison School of Education Receive Sky-High Grades. How Smart is That?
Legislative Letter to Jill Underly on Wisconsin Literacy.