School Information System

Email to Board of Education

I sent this mail to the Madison Board of Education regarding the current budget discussions (comments@madison.k12.wi.us):

First, thank you for all that you do. You truly have a thankless role on the MMSD BOE.

I am writing to pass along a few comments on the current board budget deliberations:

a) I urge you to apply reduced spending increases or in some cases reductions, across the budget, rather than attempt to load fees onto a few programs (Keep in mind that Madison's 308+m budget is much richer than many other like sized communities). This strikes me as the ONLY fair approach.

b) The current process is one of the tail wagging the dog. Why are "cuts" discussed prior to a ground up budget development process? A same service approach does not make sense, given today's changing times and requirements. A bottom up approach (ie, starting the next budget process now) provides you, the taxpayers, parents and students with an opportunity to be more involved in the process. The ground up process may, in fact suggest spending MORE in some areas, with data to support that approach. That process may also identify revenue opportunities/sources. In addition, it would be interesting to benchmark MMSD's curriculum, administrative and support service approaches over time vis a vis other districts in terms of spending & results.

c) I urge you to choose a leadership mode rather than the current reactive role. The board seems to focus on hot button issues such as paying for janitors from strings fees, or dramatic increases in wrestling fees, rather than applying the fiscal reality budget wide. You are in an excellent position to discuss and drive funding changes (The Governor's School Funding Task Force can certainly use some input). Personally, I'd like to see diversified sources of school funding:

1) Local Property Taxes for physical plant only, and capped at annual CPI changes
2) Gas taxes, sales taxes for operating funds (sales taxes should apply to newspapers, media and services)
3) Annual auto fees for operating funds (vehicle fees should be tied to the cost, weight and efficiency of the vehicle)
4) Encourage FICA tax changes at the federal level (eliminate the regressive nature of that tax)

In closing, I urge you to apply reduced spending increases and/or reductions fairly across the budget (x percent across the budget), rather than in narrowly focused areas such as wrestling and strings.

Best wishes -

Jim

Board Watch

Don Severson sent this email over the weekend regarding Monday's BOE meeting (5.17.2004) :

Please join me (Don Severson) in a MMSD Board of Education watch Monday evening, May 17 at about 6:00 p.m. The agenda is copied below. The Board will start discussing amendments to the 04-05 budget proposed by Supt. Rainwater sometime by 6:00. The Board will ostensibly make decisions on $9.9 million worth cuts and changes to the budget. The rules of the Board discussion on the budget preclude public input at this meeting.

It is critical, however, that we have a strong show of community interest in
their deliberations.

They need to know people are concerned and watching. You will be frustrated and probably disappointed, but you really need to see and hear how they 'function' to really get a sense of what is going on. We have to show them that there is interest and concern by others than the few of us who have been watching and working on them since last fall. We must take this action as a visible next step in the ground swell of initiatives that must be taken to get change to occur insofar as how this school board, administration and system operates.

Please let me know that YOU WILL ATTEND the meeting MONDAY NIGHT!

Reply to me with this email. Call me at 238-8300 or 577-0851. THANK YOU.

Speak with your feet and your presence!!

Encourage friends to also go to the meeting--even if you can't go yourself.
Monday, May 17, 2004

5:00 p.m.Special Board of Education Meeting - Executive Session
pursuant to Wis. Stat. Sections 19.85(1)(a)(e)(f)(g); 118.125; and
120.13(1)(c)

Approval of Executive Session Minutes dated April 19, 2004

Review of Disciplinary Action Recommended to be Taken Against Three Students

Bus Vendor Proposals for Providing Transportation Services for 2004-07 School
Years

Special Board of Education Meeting continued in Open Session Announcements
2004-05 Association of Madison School District Administrators (AMSDA) Salary
and Benefits Proposal

Resolution regarding 50th Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education - See
Appendix 1

2004-05 Amended Proposed Budget and Board Amendments to the Superintendent’s

2004-05 Amended Proposed Budget

Other Business

Adjournment

Doyle Administration Bldg
Room 103
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703

ACE Presentation to School Board

Don Severson forwarded his presentation to the Madison School Board Thursday evening:

Inasmuch as the BOE and district administration are engaged in the leadership of an educational enterprise this is a good time to reflect on our experiences in the operation of the system and its processes. Let me suggest a ‘lesson plan’. This lesson plan has been prepared for the BOE and administrative leadership of the district and intended for their collaborative planning and implementation with teachers, parents, students and the community.

OBJECTIVES:

• Develop a base line of trust and respect among selves and others significant to the processes
• Facilitate the efforts and skills of those who are learners, those who are teachers, those who support the processes, as well as parents and citizens
• Adhere to decision-making processes without disruption to the educational processes
• Apply policies and processes equitably with all groups/persons involved, but differently according to needs when appropriate
• Demonstrate leadership for systemic change based upon adequate research, performance indicators and value to the community
• Undertake initiatives for making the system work more effectively
• Balance social services with educational performance for all students

EXERCISES:

• Functional role and responsibility development as a Board and in relationships with administration and the unions
• Skill development in strategic, long-term planning
• The art of shared communications and listening among selves and with constituencies
• Collaborations and partnerships with other stakeholders

RESOLVE:

• Muster the political will, fortitude and abilities to make a difference for the reasons appropriate for educational needs and outcomes
• Accept accountability and responsibility for those actions under local control
• To change the “ain’t it awful” syndrome in assigning blame to others for the fix we are in
• Add value and significance with leadership and vision

THANK YOU.