Doyle's budget today had a suprising 3.9% increase in state aids for schools over 2 years. This doesn't make us whole, but it is better than expected. Of course this has to get through the legislature, so this chicken shouldn't be counted yet.
The budget proposal also repeals the QEO (qualified economic offer). The QEO law dictates that a school district can avoid arbitration by making a total compensation offer to the teacher's union that is an increase in excess of 3.8%/year. The QEO law is designed to hold down property taxes by holding down the increases in teacher salaries, and it does, but it also places an effective floor on annual increases. Since the QEO law went into effect no district has settled for less than 3.8%. My concern is that the QEO was part of the total funding system which includes the revenue caps. To throw out one part without reworking the entire system might be problematic.
Also the budget will require 3 years of math and science to graduate from high school. Currently we only require 2 years - I think this is a move in the right direction.
http://www.doa.state.wi.us/debf/execbudget.asp
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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4 comments:
Hooray.
We need to require more math and science- it is antiquated to be focused on the 4 years of English thing. I agree that is important, of course, but the world has become much more math and science focused over the last decade and schools need to catch up. How quickly can we implement change at our high school to make these requirements.
Good news on the budget. What do you think it means, number wise, for our schools.
Perhaps not. WASB is now indicating that the budget has the aid monies going to special education, SAGE and high poverty categorical aids and 4K grants, the equalization aid will not be increased.
However WASB does seem to indicate that the revenue cap will be increased approximatly $270 per student.
What does that mean? A deficit which could be as bad as about $1.4 million (we would have to see how the categorical aids impact us), with the district having the option to reduce that by about half by raising local property taxes. Like I said before, not very palatable.
Well Peter, good luck on getting a settlement with the teachers union if the board does not "tax to the max". They may argue that the tax burden is not their problem and will not want accept little or no pay increases so you guys can appease the taxpayers. It will also be interesting to see if they make wage and benefit compromises if layoffs of less senior staff become necessary. . .not an easy situation for the union or the board. . . Good luck!
Perhaps the school board can push to have the teachers pay a greater share of their health insurance and retirement. This would be in keeping with what is happening in other governments and the private sector. Rather than bargaining to increase pay and benefits, current and future economic conditions will have most of us (that haven't lost our jobs) bargaining just to keep, or not lose, our current level of pay and benefits. Why should our administrators and teachers be any different? It's a new age folks. Better wake up and smell the coffee.
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