Senator Jauch Announces Retirement
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 11, 2013
Longtime northern Democrat Senator Bob Jauch decried the hyper-partisanship of the state Legislature in announcing his decision to retire from the Senate in 2014, saying the body is losing its tradition of compromise and civility.
The Poplar Dem, first elected to the Senate in 1986, said while senators have ratcheted down the intensity since the collective bargaining standoff, the gamesmanship between both political parties is still bad.
“We need less of a public that is inflamed and enraged and more of a public that is informed and engaged,” said Jauch, who became the second Dem to announce retirement plans, joining Sen. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville.
Jauch, who has worked closely in recent years with GOP Sen. Dale Schultz, said he didn’t know whether Schultz would retire at the end of his term as well, saying “That’s his decision to make.” He did praise Schultz and Cullen, however, for their attempts to cooperate.
Jauch said he’d play no part in the decision on who might run for his seat on the Democratic side, saying only he had three “wonderful” Democrats already in his district. The Dems in Jauch’s district are: Reps. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland; Rep. Nick Milroy, D-South Range; and Rep. Stephen Smith, D-Rice Lake.
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Walker Proposal: Tax Relief, Nothing for Kids
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 11, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker called a special legislative session Thursday to use a projected $100 million surplus to push down property taxes on the typical home by 0.4% more than expected this year.
The two-year proposal would lower the December tax bill on the median-valued home by an additional $13 over current estimates, to $2,925. Next year, taxes under Walker’s plan would rise modestly so that over two years they would be an estimated $11 more than they are now on the typical home.
Because the GOP school aid proposal would not provide a corresponding increase in revenue caps, the proposal, if adopted, would provide relief to local property taxpayers but nothing new to spend on educating Wisconsin school children.
Read more from the Journal Sentinel.
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WiscNet Budget; 30 Districts at 1 Gbps
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 11, 2013
I thought I’d share a couple of interesting items from “WiscNet Wire”, an electronic publication produced by John Pederson at WiscNet. Check it out.
WiscNet Budget 2014–2015
WiscNet’s budget for 2013–2014 remains unchanged. Our members have paid the same “Grow Smart” rates since 2007. Earlier this past summer, the WiscNet Board of Directors committed to addressing the 2014–15 budget a few months earlier than we have in the past. The will review proposals at our next meeting on October 15th. On October 17th I’ll have some of WiscNet’s board members on our WiscNet Third Thursday to talk about the process, a few thoughts, and what’s in store for the 2014–15 year. More information here. Even with many of the changes we’ve experienced recently, we are confident that WiscNet will remain extremely competitive, both technically and financially.
30 Wisconsin School Districts at 1 Gbps
When I arrived at WiscNet in 2008, the typical K12 district had somewhere around a 10 Mbps connection. In 2009 WiscNet introduced “Go Gig!”, a challenge to think about how our members would reach gigabit speeds. National leaders set the target of 1 Gbps per 1000 students & staff as necessary for K12 districts to support digital learning.
“Go Gig!” became Wisconsin’s broadband stimulus effort addressing public sector Internet connectivity. In 2013 the number of Wisconsin K12 districts connected at 1 Gbps or greater increased to 30! Even more interesting, 7 of the top 10 best connected districts have district enrollments less than 1000. Who? How? Stay tuned.
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Common Core Testimony
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 9, 2013
As SAA members are preparing for the next 3 Common Core hearings, members are asking for sample testimonies. We are posting testimony that SAA members delivered at the Madison hearing on October 3rd.
Blake Peuse Northern Ozaukee School District Testimony 100313
Dave Anderson Chequamegon School District Testimony 100313
Dave Polashek Oconto Falls School District Testimony 100313
Doug Keiser Hustisford School District Testimony 100313
Dr. Sue Borden DeForest School District Testimony 100313
Jenny Gracyalny Pulaski School District Testimony 100313
Jesse Harness CESA Statewide Network Testimony 100313
Lisa Quistorf Two Rivers School District Testimony 100313
Mary Bowen Eggebraaten Hudson School District Testimony 100313
Nick Madison Brillion School District Testimony 100313
Pam Yoder Belleville School District Testimony 100313
Pat Greco Menomonee Falls School District Testimony 100313
Pat Deklotz Kettle Moraine School District Testimony 100313
Tim Schell Waunakee School District Testimony 100313
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Carry The Fight On The Common Core
By Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance staff | October 8, 2013
The Senate & Assembly Select Committees for Review of the Common Core Standards Initiative had their first joint public hearing on Thursday, October 3rd at the State Capitol. At that hearing the SAA hosted a press conference on the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and carried the fight against scrapping the CCSS. All told more than 40 SAA members participated in the press conference and/or public hearing on the CCSS. I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every SAA member who took time out of their very busy schedules to support the great work that’s being done in every Wisconsin school district on the CCSS.
We need a similar effort at the 3 additional hearings that have been scheduled: (Notice change of date for Fond du Lac)
Wednesday, October 16th (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Fond du Lac City/County Building – 160 S. Macy Street, Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Wednesday, October 23rd (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Eau Claire – Chippewa Valley Technical College – 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701
Wednesday, October 30th (2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Wausau – Northcentral Technical College – 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401
It is vitally important that we have a strong presence at these hearings. District administrators, directors of instruction and others, please consider clearing your calendars. This is an outstanding opportunity to dispel misconceptions about the CCSS and to deliver an unequivocal message that the high expectations embodied in the CCSS are good for the children we serve. It is equally important that you reach out to your legislators with the same message about the Common Core.
Although the committees did not always follow a first come – first serve system for those wanting to testify, I am still assuming that if you want to testify early in the hearing, you should arrive no later than noon to each of these additional hearings. If you are interested in testifying please contact the SAA office. We can assist you in facilitating and coordinating your testimony. Those planning to testify should prepare written remarks and bring 20 copies for the committees. Also be able to access an electronic version of your statement. We plan to post the statements on the Wheeler and WisPolitics news services.
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