In communities across the United States, citizens are paying a hidden tax. No, it is not some new fee or utility hike. It is the cost of local government dysfunction. Here in Wisconsin, historically known as a good-government state, news headlines contain stories of local city councils and school boards plagued by infighting, culture war conflict, partisan politics, pettiness and sometimes worse. Ultimately, a dysfunctional governing board hurts the very residents our municipalities and school districts are designed to serve.
For the past 12 years, I have taught Master of Public Administration (MPA) students working in local government. When they consider a job as a city administrator, department head or even an entry-level employee, the first thing they do is Google the municipality, watch a board meeting and talk to others in their professional network. They are looking for red flags. Red flags include:
- Board conflict that is personal or partisan
- Elected officials undermining colleagues during or outside meetings
- Board meetings that feel like congressional hearings with public employees in the hot seat
- Frequent turnover in management positions
- Persistent negativity
When qualified professionals see these red flags, they look elsewhere. Cities and school districts quickly develop reputations as no-go zones for top-tier candidates. The result is often less-qualified employees and employees who view the position as a temporary stop until something better comes along. Either way, the municipality or school district pays the opportunity costs of more training, more job searches and lower organizational capacity.
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Early Literacy Screener Map.
3,887 Madison 4 year old to third grade students scored lower than 75% of the students in the national comparison group.
Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average k-12 tax & $pending. This despite our 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”
A.B.T.: “Ain’t been taught.”
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?