On the Issues:

Community Support:
Quality schools can only be maintained when there is substantial community support. The school district must be responsive to the needs of the district, soliciting feedback from stakeholders and parents. Regular evaluations should be solicited from student’s families as well as recent graduates to determine how well the MGSD is serving them, in addition to the planned district-wide survey. Careful fiscal management of district resources is an important factor in maintaining community support.

Achievement:
The MGSD has made important steps in improving the achievement, particularly at the elementary levels, but we need to go well beyond the dictates of NCLB to meet the needs of every student. This includes providing remedial help for some, tailoring programs to the different learning styles of others, and just as importantly finding ways to challenge the most talented students. This includes expanded gifted and talented programs at the elementary and middle level and advanced programs in the high school.

Instructional Support:
This district has many well-trained, talented and dedicated teachers. Our teachers should never be lacking the resources to fully utilize their abilities in the classroom. The district should make every effort to maintain competitive compensation in order to continue to make this district attractive to talented teachers.

Cost Savings and Energy:
Analysis of Wisconsin school finance data shows that MGSD spends 30% more per pupil on energy than the state average. That would amount to $300,000 saved per year if we can just reach average – and this is and area we should be better than average. Energy use is just one area of the non-instructional budget where we should look for savings. Well-run businesses use many techniques to control costs, including extensive cost-benefit analysis, aggressive supplier management and externalizing costs. Many of these techniques are applicable to the operation of well-run school districts.

Programming:
The broad range of programming the MGSD offers, including extensive music, arts and sports programs, have substantial community support. More importantly they enhance the intellectual development of our students and better prepare them for successful lives. It is important to find ways to maintain these programs in an era of tight budgets.

District Unity:
The partnership between Monona and Cottage Grove has served both communities well for more than 40 years; together this community has accomplished much to be proud of. But nothing can be accomplished if we pit one community against the other in a competition for resources. Both communities will be better off if a co-operative environment is maintained where the resources of each can be used to solve problems in the simplest most cost-effective manner – this is the best way to ensure that all students have the best resources at their disposal. Meeting the needs of the students first is the best way to meet the needs of Monona and Cottage Grove.